The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-05-12
NO CAUSE TO BOAST
DISASTER foRErOLD OF THE BELL
TELEPHONE COMPANY.

Invaiidating the Bsrliner Patent Alto
Gethsr-Iilinois Inheritance Tax Law
Sustained-BiG Verdict in . Street Ca
Damage Case-Other Damage Suits o
Note-Court Proceedings In General.
Madison, Wis, May 1i.-Hon. P. L.
Spooner, president of the Standard Tel
ephone company. one of the largest in
dependent telephone companies in the
country, has this TO say of the decision
OF the United States supreme court ir
the Beriiner patent case: my informa-
zion is that the decision simply acquits
the Bell company and the patent office
Of fraud and collision in the issuance OF
the Beriiner patent. The merits of the
patent are not involved. Advices from
Independent exchanges all over the coun-
try show them anxious TO try conclu-
e;ons with the Bell company. Simila,
patents have expired in foreign coun-
tries and, following the decisions Of the
United States supreme court in other
cases. the ReriIner patent will finally be
declared void. There is no cause for
alarm 20 the users os independent tele-
ChoEes."
INHERITANCE LAW GOOD.
Springfield, H., May 1.-THE Illinois
supreme court today decided the inherit
ance tax law, passed by the state legis-
iature two years ago, TO be constitution
al, reversing he decision Of the lower
court The law provides for graduated
tax on all inheritances Of a value Of over
$4,000, and a test case was made on the
estate Of the late John B. Drake, former
iy proprietor OF the old Grand Pacific
hoiel, VINO left properly estimated at
81, 000,0 900. The case will probably be car
ried to the federal supreme court.
GETS PAY FOR HIS LEGS.
ST. Paul, Mimi, May 1.-THE conclu-
sion OF remarkable suit for damages
was reached today and a verdict was
given in favor of James NJ Fonda
against the Twin City Rapid Transit
company. for 1880 Nearly two years
ago Fonda lost both legs by being run
down by street car on Seven Corners.
in this city. He brought suit for s25, 600
and when The case first came on for trial
few months ago the attorneys for the
plaintiff, after their case was practically
al submitted, moved to dismiss the case
without prejudice. This was done and
many sensational rumors regarding the
reason for this action have been since
current The case came on for trial a
few days ago and this big verdict
against the street railway company re-
suited today
MANS HEART IN COURT.
Pittsburg, Pa, May 1.-THE trial of
the case Of Mrs. Louisa Morris against
the Fidelity and Casualty company, OF
New York, to recover $4,000 on an aoci-
dent insurance policy held by her hus-
band. VINO was killed by falling out Of
a skiff in Lake Chatauqua three years
ago. occupied the entire session of the
circuit court today. A gruesome exhib-
1t during the expert testimony was the
heart OF the deceased, which was pro-
duced in court TO prove that he died Of
heart trouble and was not drowned. The
heart was in jar OF alcohol and before
Il was uncovered Mrs. Morris retired
from the room. DR.. Isham, the expert,
pointed out alleged imperfections in the
organ. During his testimony, ex-Judge
Nendrick, on cross examination, devel-
sped the fact that the heart had been
taken from the body while il was in the
grave. without the consent Of the widow.
Several other physicians. including DR..
William Ackley, a prominent anatomist
OF Chicago, testified that Morris heart
was affected and that the averta was
enlarged.
WHY FULTON CELEBRATES.
Lyons, Ia, May 1.-THE final decree
Of the supreme court in the famous Mod
ern Woodman case has been rendered in
Favor of Fulton, Illinois. The city is
celebrating.
BROATCH Re BOOSTED.
Omaha, NIB. May 11.-Judges Powell,
Dickinson and Kayser, OF the Douglas
county district court, sitting en- banc.
today heard the arguments in the may
orally contest. Ex-Mayor Broatch had
secured a restraining order 10 prevent
Mayor Moores from assuming his office,
and Moores had asked for mandamus to
compel Broatch 10 vacate Both cases
were argued together. At $50 this af-
ternoon the judges announced their de-
cision. dissolving the restraining order
and issuing the writ Of mandamus ask
ed for. Mayor Moores at once entered
on the duties Of his office.
DISTILLERY SOLD.
Chicago, May lin accordance with
the orders OF the court. Receiver John
McNuita, Of the Distilling and Cattle
Feeding company, today sold the Calu-
met distiliery. part of the assets OF the
old Whisky Trust. The price paid for the
plant is s25o,oa0. for which sum I, was
knocked down 20 Levy Mayer. who
represents. as attorney. the reorganiza-
sion of the trust. The only other bidder
was Attorney \. A Canavan. WHO rep
resented several brewing interests in the
city.
CASE OF INCOMPATIBILITY.
New York. May 1.-THE Herald to-
day says: Eugene Cowles. the basso. Of
the Bostonians. is the defendant in suit
for limited divorce brought by his wife
Mrs. Cowles. through her counsel. Colo
mel George Bliss, instituted proceedings
for divorce some weeks ago. The mai
ter was kept quiet and instead OF an
open court hearing. Augustus c. Brown
was appointed referee 10 take testimony
and report TO the court whether in his
judgment. decree OF divorce should IS
sue or not. Private hearings az Mr.