The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-29

cOut or tne prominence or tht idfti'r
involved. 1t il the suit brought by Miss
Lottie Gibson against Mrs. Thomas >.
Todd. for $1,000 damages. for alleged
defamation OF character. The courtroom
will doubtless be packed with spectators.
and the Indications are that the case will
be "A hotly contested one.
CAU,. 90 SH suiT.
This suit against Mrs Todd, Who is the
wife OF MIR Thomas j. Todd. ono of Rich
monds weal,Lcst and most highly-re-
spected citizens. was instituted in the
Law and Ea uty Court by Mossrs q. \.
Meredith and H. l.. Montague, attorneys
for Miss Gibson. who IS a wclt-known
salesday, on August 2ist last. The de-
ciaration filed alleges that on the 18th
aay of March. 1895. Mrs. Todd came into
the store of Messrs. Miller x Hhoads. In
company with Mrs Goddin. Mrs. Van
Buren, and Mrs. DR.. W. T.. Hatcher. and
that Mrs. Goddin. IN the presence of Mrs.
Todd and the ladies' who accompanied
her and OF Messrs. Il. q. Miller and W.
). RhOads, asked Miss Gibson n she had
lived az Cohen's ami at Woodward n
Lothrop's. and received an affirmative
reply. Then Mrs. Goddin remarked that
one day i'm the previous August she was
al the lace counter a. Miller A slhOads'
ana Miss Gibson remarked In her pres
ence that Mr.. Cohen had said that Mrs.
Hatcher the wife OF Rev. Dr ". r..
Hatcher takes goods from the counter
without paying for them. To this charge
Miss Gibson replied that she had never
said anything OF the kind, did not stay
AT the lace counter. bu. good distance
from iti did not carry on conversation
with customers, especially II she did not
know them, and would not tell any one
anything like the statement attributed
to her.
The declaration then goes on 20 stofe
that Mrs. Todd turned TO Mr. Rhoads
and said that she did not think ne ought
To keep any clerk In his employ Who
would make a remark about customer
like that. and that AS a consequence OF
this remnrk, Miss Gibson lost her place
on the 2oth OF March following ana on
that account brought suit for $1,000
damages. This I'm brief, Is the history
OF the case
When the suit was brought Mrs. Todd
was travelling I'm Europe. and I'm conse-
Quence the case was delayed Imme-
diately upon her return the services of
Mr.. Hill Carter and MIR. !. Garland
Pollard were secured. and prepare lions
made TO vigorously contest the case.
Dn. HATCHER TO BsaR Tnt ENprxss.
IL having been rumored quite widely
that Dr.. William +. Hatcher had as
sumed the full financial responsibility OF
the suit, a Times reporter called upon
him at hts Office last night and asked him
If the report was true. The Doctor an
swered that IL was but added that he
preferred not To speak further on the
subject. But when pressed to tell why
he had taken such responsibility upon
his shoulders he replied.
This suit mas been brought against
Mrs. Todd on account OF alleged actions
which she committed while trying TO
vindicato the honor Of my family from
slanderous accusation"
The Doctor also said that while he
could not save Mrs Tood from the
publicity and torture Of "A court trial. he
had felt that It was his plain duty TO
save Mr.. Todd from whatever expense
this suit might bring upon him.
1T was never my Intention" said Or.
Hatcher. that this report should 90 TO
the public, but as II has now become
so widely circulated, | do not deem IL
necessary longer to refuse TO state the
simple facts of the case"
When the Doctor was asked II he had
anything 10 say az 10 tho probable issue
OF the trial. he replied that It would
be- manifestly improper for him 10 ex-
press any opinion on the subject.
Tho full expenses In the ease, which
Dr. Hatcher has assumed include every
cost OF the trial as well as the payment
OF damages. should any be allowed by the
jury