The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-01-18
TIE DAMAGING CHARGES HAVE
NON BEEN WITHDRAWN
STATEMENT MADE BY THE LAWYERS
Inc Girls ai5taer Vas Incuced TO Withdraw
The Sui, Which She Did WIta94t
Seeing Or Consulting Ter
Attorneys.

Newbern, \. c., Jan. 13-(SpeciaU-
AS stated in the News and Observer
yesterday, it was quite a surprise to the
able counsel engaged 10 prosecute Robert
Hancock for the seduction and ruin of a
beautiful maiden, TO be no-.ied all of a
sudden that the plaintiff was DESTROYS
of having the damage suit withdrawn
from the courts.
The attorneys had entered record with
the complaint in good faith and refused
to withdraw the case from the court,
and give notice to the plaintiff, Mrs. Alb
bott, that upon further written assur-
ance of her voluntary action in the
matter that they would feel compelled
to withdraw as counsel in the case. TIE
plaintiff stated that she wished the suit
WitIuraWn. and upon this action the
counsel petitioned the court to allow
them to retire as counsel from the suit.
This does not help the scandal a bit
it still fingers in the minds Of a civilized
people, and impresses them as a degrad-
ed act of unusual Importance. Virtue
ceases to shine. character is lost.
Below is a copy of counsels petition
to the court, and also Il reply to Mrs.
Abbott:
WITHDRAWAL OF COUNSEL.
North Carolina, Craven County, Super
Tor Court, Feb. Term 1898.
Elizabeth Abbott and Elizabeth Abbott
mex Friend Of Thomas II. Abbott.
Against Robert Hancock. To TIE
Court:
In of the written com
munication, copies of which are herewith
filed: We, Clark and Guion, w. D. Nc
liver and y. L. Ward, ask leave of the
court to withdraw as counsel for the
plaintiff in the above entitled action.
CLARK & GUION,
W. ID. M'IVER,
D. l.. WARD,
January u, 1898.
January 18th, 1898.
Mrs. Elizabeth Abbott,
Dear Madam:-We are in receipt Of
the following communication handed US
by Mr.. Lumley: "Messrs. Guion and
McIver, Attorneys at Law. Gentlemen
Upon consideration / desire that the
suit entitled Elizabeth Abbott and Eliza
beth Abbott next friend to Thomas H.
Abbott, etc, VS.. Robt. Hancock, oe
withdrawn at once"
(Signed) ELIZABETH ABBOTT.
Witness: MAMIE L. LUMLEY.
II view of the fact that upon your
request coupled with the statement Of
1dClS SOIIsIliSd LII yod4 Ill w
advised that you were entitled to main
tain the action brought; and having been
retained by YOU to institute this action,
and having entered ourselves as your
attorneys of record:-and further IN view
of the fact that i'll consultation with Mr..
d. l.. Ward, whom you requested US to
associate in the case, you stated afler
mature consideration you had concluded
to prosecute the cause to final judgment:
and having further stated to US that
threats and improper representations
were being made to you to induce you
to withdraw your suit against the defen-
dant:-and having assured you that YOU
ought in no manner to be influenced by
threats or fear in the prosecution Of
your cause, or that you should be in
tiuenced against your Will to discontinue
your action; and as your counsel feeling
the injustice that YOU are committing
toward yourself and daughter, and learn
ing that this course may not be VoIun
tary on your part, we therefore IN JUS
tice to ourselves as your counsel, and in
justice to you and your daughter, we
desire from your additional written as
surance of y0ur voluntary action III this
NATTER; and we desire to say, that il
such assurance is given Us by bearer,
we will then feel compelled to withdraw
dS o1S AL C"S 90
YOU may make such disposition of your
action as may meet your choice.
AS we knew nothing Of the facts upon
which the action was brought until you
came to our office to employ us as coun-
sci to institute your suit, and as we We're
not personally acquainted with you until
that time, we canno feel at liberty to
advise you or to express our personal
view to you, other than as your atto--
neys. Upon you written assurance by
bearer we will formally retire from the
case and.leave the matter open for such
entries as you may see fit to make.
Yours very truly,
CLARK & GUION,
D. T.. WARD.
w. D. MINER.
January 18th. 1898.
Gentlemen: I wish the suit with
drawn.