The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-19
He Says He Was Libelled
by the Telegram.
SERIOUS CHARGES MADE.
Contends He Was Injured In Busi.
ness and Character.
CASE ON TRIAL BEFORE A JURY.

The taking of testimony in tho libel
suit brought by Henry Cairns, q real
estate broker anu collector of this city,
against the Telegram Publishing Com
pany, to recover 1000. was begun this
morning. Mr. Cairns alleges in his
declaration that, among other things an
article published in the Telegram falsely
and maliciously accused him sof larceny
and adultery.
Mr.. Cairns claims to have always hcen
a citizen OF good character and rcpute in
the community. and that statement
that he left the city about the lst of
April. .S96, owing large sums of money
10 different parties in the city. ms we'll as
other charges Of very serious natnr~.
which appeared In the Telegram OF
April rs, the same year. was untrue.
He left the city. he said. on business in
connection with a theatrical company he
was conducting and which was known
as tho "Rube Stacey Com bination. "Ihe
show after doing some of the small Con-
necticut cities, spent week in the me-
tropolis
The article published in the paper
conduo by the defendant corporation,
Mr.. Cairns WAS certain had caused his
business TO dwindIe from 800 a month TO
practically nothing. A number OF por-
sons he said had called his attention TO
the article he complained of, and told him
they could not under the circumstances
give him their bills to collect, owing to
the charges Of dishonesty against him.
DIR. Alexander A. Walter j. A. Wilbur
and j. j. Morrison were cited as parties
who took a valuable trade from the plain
tiff because Of the alleged libcllous arti-
Gle. The plaintiff further stated that his
relations with the mln TO whom he sold
his business were free and above board.
UNDER CROSS EXAMINATION.
MIR Cairns was cross examined by Gen.
Charles A. Wilbur as to the amount Of
his debts and asked why he did not pay
the debt of Anthony, Cowelr& Co.
The raply was he thought 1t was an
attempt to trap him as he claimed to
have lease. ana when asked another
question about his debts said he always
had money ana could now get unlimited
credit. A
The latter statement led Gen. Wilson to
ask why the present law suit was begun.
The question was not answered.
The only questions asked Cairns by
Gen. Wilson epout the part of tie article
that referred to u rumor about his going
Providence named Murphy and abandon
ing his wife, was whether Mrs. Cairns
knew OF her husband s going away and
whether his wife ever accompanied him
ON his trips with the show. To the first
question the answer was in the afirma-
tive and q negative was given TO the
second question.
John A. Wilbur testified that he delayed
giving some new business to Cairns on
account Of the published statement.
TIE DEFENSE OPENS.
In opening the case for the defense,
Gen. Wilson said the statements in the
articles, complained of as lbellous. were
true.
jeremiah Bliss testified Cairns ne
gotiated sale OF the New York Dental
Parlors to him. That tho statement in
the article complained of, about no one
knowing the combination of the safe
when Cairns went away. was Cairns. ana
the statements about the plaintiff were
true so far as ho knew.
An attempt was then made by Gen.
Wilson to ascertain whether or not Mr..
Bliss had given the information to the
wirer OF the article in the Telegram.
Judge Bosworth, on the objection of Col.
Van Slyck, council for Cairns ruled the
question out under "A decision of tho
higher court In this state in the case of
Folwtll vs. Providence Journal Com.