The Washington times., 1895-02-19
She Would Not Take a Coat Tailor
Pfleging Made.
MRS. ZANE FOLLOWED SUIT
Mrs. Blackburn Took Hers and Paid for 1t,
but the Tailor Got It Again in His Pos
session and Then Refused to Redeliver
Until the Other Two Coats Were Paid for
Three Ladies and a Tailor in Dilemma

| Senator Blackburn. Mrs Julia G. Black
burn, widow of the late Dr. Luke P. Black
burn, some time Governor Of Kentucky Mrs.
Blackburn's sister, Mrs. Zane, and Madeline
Pollard, who blighted the political fortunes of
Representative w. G. P. Breckinridge, of
Lexington, KY. are all concerned in one way
or another in the suit of John Pfeging
| against Mrs. Blackburn for e5 900 damages,
which was taken up in Judge Bingham's
court yesterday.
Mr. Pheging has ladies' dressmaking es-
tablishment at No. 1921 G street northwest.
Early in April. 1893. Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs.
Zane, and Miss Pollard engaged Mr.. Pfeg-
ing, go ne claims, to make some dresses or
! coats for them. One of them first got his
| price, and, thinking it high. asked for a re-
/ duction. but she proposed to bring him two
! other ladies who would want similar coats.
| de agreed to make the reduction. putting on
the goods very low cash price. He after
| ward made further slight reduction upon
the ground that he should have little more
time 10 finish them.
TWO REFUSED TO PAY.
When the garments were ready for delivery
Mrs. Blackburn took hers and paid $50 in
full for it. The other ladies. however, were
not satisfied and refused to take theirs and
would not pay for them. Mr. PHeging sent
| Mrs. Blackburn letter saying he was ready
10 make some alterations they had talked Of
| She promptly sent it to him. Then the fun
began.
Mr. Paeging soon had Mrs. Blackburn's 8
coat ready for delivery again; but he claimed
that he had made the three garments as one
job, at q low price, and he would not deliver
any Of them until he had been paid in full
for all. Mrs. Blackburn urged that she had
paid for hers and she could not help what
the others did; she ought TO have her coat
The tailor was obduiate. and no entreaties
nor seolding moved him.
Then Mrs. Blackburn went with her story
to her friend Judge Morris, OF the court OF
appeals.
Upon her representations Judge Morris as
suIed her that the tailor was guilty of obtain
ing goods under false pretenses.
TAILOR PFLEGING ARRESTED.
Mrs. Blackburn had Mr.. Plfeging arrested
on warrant from Magistrate A. S. Taylor
and he was kept in confinement over night
Next morning the case came up before Judge
Miller, and Assistant District Attorney JET.
fords did not see how he could make out false
. pretenses upon the facts as stated by Mr.
Plfeging and admitted by Mrs. Blackburn.
A nolle prosequi was entered.
All the ladies We're in court and looked
very blank at this result. Then Miss Pollard
frightened up and said send for Senator
Blackburn. He was a lawyer as well as q
United States Senator, and he could set ey-
erything right for them.
Senator Blackburn came down to the dingy
old court. The ladies all together stated tht
| case TO him.
why, let the fellow co. he said, ''you car
get just as good clothes as there are in tn,
world without going to him.
''Oh, exclaimed his sister, "dont you set
he's got my coat and my money both"
That put another face on the matter 70
the Senator. who then first heard that an,
money had been paid. He consulted Attor
ney Jeffords, who assured him no case @
false pretense could be made.
Then Judge Miller was called in and th
!, three consulted.
There must be some way said the Sena
tor, ''for Mrs. Blackburn to get her dress
Two ways We're suggested-bring civi
suit for Mrs. Blackburn's coat, or else tax
all the things and pay for them.
MRS. BLAckBURN's DILEMMA.
eve don't want his old stuff after all thi
trouble; it's badly made and unsatisfac. or
anyhow" " said two of the ladies in a chorus
But can't you understand exclaime
r Mrs. Blackburn. I've paid for my coat an
| he's got IT."
Ii Tue otner iauleS ulun Want lnelr tnlDg
! the only way was to bring civil suit. Som
t one suggested that after what had happene
MIR. Pdeging might answer a civil suit by a
action for damages by false imprisonment
Then there was a further conference. Judg
5 Morris was called in. 1t was finally decide
/ 10 pay Mr.. Pfeging. who offered to take eve
a smaller payment than originally agreed OF
) The money was paid and the dresses dc
t livered. Miss Pollard wearing hers during tn
, famous trial.
Mr.. Pheging was not satisfied to let his i'm
: prisonment and the damage to his bushes
go unnotced. On May 80 about a mont
? after the settlement. he brought the suit 70
, damages. Among the witnesses yesterda
were Judge Miller and Attorney Jeffords an
Judge Morris and Senator Blackburn are e1
pected to testify to-day.