Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-11
READY TO PAY HALF.
Mr.. Todd Proposes 10 Bear $1,000 Of
the Gibson Suits Cost.
M. HiTCHER's STATEMENT.
lie Did Not Believe the Action
Would lie Brought. Hut Never Adj
vised Against the Compromisc-iic
VIII Meet His Obligation.

Though II has been understood ever
since the trial Of the Gibson-Todd suit
I'm the Law and Equity Court that Rv.
Or. William T.. Hatcher would pay all OF
the damages and costs assessed against
Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas >. Todd amounting
in the aggregate 90 $500. Mr.. Todd, il
was ascertained yesterday, mas offered 10
assume one half Of the amount, IN order
that Or. Hatcher may not sacrifice his
home which Is now advertised for sale.
Mr. Todd was seen yesterday and when
asked about the matter said. Il have al
ways intended 10 pay large part Of the
amount. and Dr. Hatcher and his friends
have understood this all along. When the
Judgment was procured IL was thought
that the friends of DR.. Hatcher, esps-
cially those closely connected with the
case, would be contributors 10 the fund,
| agreeing to contribute $3.50
OFFER OF COMPROMISE.
Before the suit was tried" Mr. Todd
continued. II was offered a compromise
Of 500 and | went 10 see some OF Dr.
Hatcher's friends in regard 10 IT, telling
them | thought IL would be very much
to nv interest TO settle 1T. j was advised
not to con promise: that IN justice TO Dr.
Hatcher and his family the case Should
be tried ami thoroughly ventilated. II was
thought by his friends that for me TO
pay any money as a compromise Would
place the Doctor and his family In a bad
position.
Before the card was placed upon Dr.
Hatcher's house offering it for sale,
called upon the doctor, expressed 10 MN
my interest and anxiety in the matter
told him he ought not 10 oner MS mouse
for sale, that l would contribute SLOW
and heard that other friends wanted 40
contribute: that l would endorse his
note for any further amount he needed.
After this. in conversation with DR.. Ian
drum. who seemed anxious to assist IN
the matter. | told him | was willing 20
contribute 81 800 i'm order 10 relieve Dr'
Hatcher.
ct is true that Or. Hatcher said from
the beginning that he thought he oush,
TO bear all of the cost Of this case ana
intend ID doing so: that he reg arded what
NV wife did was from the purest motives
of friendship. and upon the solicitations
of Mrs. Hatcher The Doctor Is entirey
SINGER in his purpose. and IS very gene
rons and honorable i'm all Of his acts, ana
his home shall not be sacrificed.
STATEMENT FROM DIR. HATCHER.
DIR. Hatcher was asked yesterday If he
wished TO make any further statement
as to the proposed sale Of his house, ana
REPLIED that it was his earnest desire that
there should be no publication on the
subject: but that inasmuch as the tac'
that his house was advertised was q
public matter, he could exercise no control
in the case He added that he was not
unwilling for the public TO know that
his object i'm ofering& house Tor salc
was to raise the necessary funds TO fulhl
his promises 20 pay the expenses OF ire
late Gibson-Todd suit. Beyond TINS ne
had authorized no publication.
Or. Hatcher had not seen Mr.. lodu
statement when the Dispatch reporter
handed him a copy Of II. lie read II
over thoughtfully. and then remarked
that IL was a courteous and truthful
statement. and that he had no adverse
criticism to make upon II. lie said that
of course he did not believe In advance
that the suit would be brought. ana
would not have preferred any compromise
under the circumstances, but That MS
friends. who advised Mr.. Todd not 10
compromise, acted entirely upon thelr own
responsibility. After the suit was en-
tered the Doctor waived all objections 10
compromise; provided 1t was the Wish
Of Mr.. and Mrs. Todd to settle the mat.
Ter outside of the court. He said that
his desire was TO guard Mrs. Todd from
All possible annoyance and trouble IN the
matter. and he was willing for his imam
cial offer TO be used as Mr.. and Mrs.
Todd might prefer. But no satisfactory
COMPROMISE could be effected.
Dr. Hatcher said that only the kindliest
relations had existed from the besinnins
If this unfortunate trouble between his
family and the Todds, and that he hai
never doubted for a moment that airs.
Todd. who acted at Mrs. Hatchers re-
quest. was prompted by an earnest senu-
ment of friendship
WHAT THE COSTS WERE.
DIR. Hatcher said, also, that he only
learned last night that Mr.. Todd had
named 81 500 IS the amount that ne would
nav on the expenses OF the SUIT, put
that he was aware that he had offered
10 pay 81 800. That left him $3.50 20 Jay,
and he felt that he had no means OF
raising the amount except by the sale %
his house. He felt the full force Of his
nromise 10 assume the responsibility and
never had any other thought than that
he would meet his obligation as soon as
he could arrange IT, He expressed MS
gratitude to Mr. Todd for his willing
ness TO share with him this burden
tboueh he had never asked II at ms
hands The Doctor added that the papers
bad treated him I'm the main very kindly
and that he appreciated it, but CHAT he
would be happy indeed If there should
he no necessity for further publication
Oh the subject.
WON'T GO INTO THE HALL.