The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-04
Mrs. Mary A. Hopkins
Suing.C. R DrOWne.
KEPT THE CENTRAL HOTEL
Was Prevented From Selling Good
Will and Furniture.
TESTIMONY OF THE WITNESSES.

A rather unusual casa has been tried In
Judge Wilpur's court. The action as one
to recover y6O00 for slancer OF title. Mrs.
Mary A. Hopkins was the plaintiff and U.
X. browne tho defendant Mrs. Hopkins
has since the death OF her husband con-
Quoted the Central Hotel, and Mr.
browne is one of the owners OF the land
and building on which tse hotel Is sit
uated. The plaintiff claims that through
the false and malicious rel presentations vf
the defendant she lost an opportunity to
dispose Of the furniture In the hotel and
its good will for $500. MIR. browne is
charged with having stated to q number OF
persons that Mrs. Hopkins was only a ten
ant from month to month, whereas she
claimed to be tenant from year to yoar.
Mrs. Hopkins testified that she paid
$500 year rental for the Motel property
ana that In the fall OF 1897 she wished to
dispose OF her interest In the hotel, and
after talking with n numbor OF parties
Mr. browne told her Mr.. Head would give
her $700 and let her take the furnituro
out. She had been previously offered $3IOO
for the good will and furniture SO she dc.
cined the offer. In Noyem ber she received
q notice to quit on Dec. !. 1897 aud on
tho 10Th OF December she received another
notics to deliver up possession or the
premises on April !. Ii was explained that
suit was tegun against her hyNr browne
to recover possession but jury trial hnu
been claimed 50 the case had not been
reached. Mr.. browne told her she was
only a monthly tenant and unless she &C
cepted Mr.. Rsad Q tor ms she would have
to get out. Mrs. Hopkins testified that
since an application for license at the
49,. Is.a IL
ness had fallen OF greatly aJ the hotai as
people had supposed she mad left fhe place.
Joseph II. Mclaughlin who keeps res
taurant on Westminster street testified lie
first offered Mrs. hopkins 5000 for the
hotel and latter increased his offer to
$500. Mrs. Hopkins claimed to be ten
ant from year to year and sent him TO see
Mr.. browne. The latter told him MIS-
Hopkins was only a monthly tenant and
thai witness had best have dealings only
with him ms he die not want Mrs. Hop
kins TO get such a bonus ~ $500. Mr..
browne further stated that he would
rather have some one 20 In ana spend the
money Ia repairs on the house. Witness
objected to taxing the premis 8 unless TO
mad the goodwill Of Mrs HOPKINS and her
friends as ne desired to get liquor IL
censc.
Mr.. Read testified that he applied for
a liquor license at the hotel afer Mr..
Drow ne told him he could have possession
In about month. Witness was requested
by Mr.. browne to give Mrs. Hopkins all
the money he could afford for the good
viii of the place and an offer OF $40 was
made through Mr.. browne.
A Mr. kosc testified that he had offered
Mrs. Hopkins 1890 for ths hotal but Mr..
browne told him II he paid that amount
Of money no could be put out on q
MONTH notice as Mrs. Hopkins was q
tenant from month to month only.
Capt Manchester. who said he was. un-
tiia day or SO ago, In the war department
at Washington, testified hs offered Mrs.
Houkins $370O for tho hotel ana give Mr..
browne references but MIR. browne after
ward said the references were unsatlsfac.
tory.
Stephen A. Cooke. of counsel for Mr..
browne, asked for non suit on the ground
that malice must be shown to have act
uated the statements made by his client
and also because the communications were
privileged ones Judge Wilbur denied the
motion.
MIR. browne testified that Mrs. Hopkins
paid her rent monthly but was n tenant
from year to year. He denied much Of
the testimony given nv witnesses for the
plaintiff. Brennan 81 Holland are attor-
neys for the plaintiff.