Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-11
CHILD WINS SUIT
City Must Pay Chas. H. Parker
$1,000 Damages.
Ono OF tho Largest vcrdiots Ever Ro.
turned Agninsf tho City-NIotion
to sct A.ide-nInndamus Proceeds
ings-The Police Court.


suit for $1,000 damages, returned YER
dict yesterday afternoon in favor or the
plaintiff, fixing the damages at $500.
This is one OF the largest verdicts for
damages ever returned against the city
The jury was out for some time, and
the verdict was in the nature of COM
promise. some of the jurymen wanting
to award higher damages
The case was argued at length yes
tcrday morning and part of the after
noon by Mr.. C. w. p. Lane and Judge
d. Tucker Brooke for the plaintiff, who
is between four and five years old, and
City Attorney Taylor and Mr.. y. Il.
Thorn for the city
MOTION TO SET ASIDE.
When the verdict was rendered a
motion was made by counsel for the
defense to set aside the verdict, as con-
trary TO the law and the evidence.
Judge Prentis postponed the hearing
of this motion to the regular term OF
the City Circuit Court in May.
Judge Prentis' instructions to the
jury clearly held that 1t is the duty of
the city to exercise reasonable care in
keeping its streets clear of dangerous
objects OF any kind. This much is adj
mitted by the city's counsel, but there
was variance as to what is reasonable
care. Judge Prcntis also held that the
city was responsible for dangerous
signs being on the street. The City At
torney has served notice on Lawrence
Kelly, the baker whose sign fell on
young Parker, that he would be held
responsible to the city If the damages
were finally sustained.
MANDAMUs PROCEEDINGS.
The mandamus proceedings In the
case of the Fifth Ward OF Portsmouth
VS.. the Portsmouth Street Railway
Company, which were to have been
heard by Judge Prentis, of the City
Circuit Court. yesterday were post
poned on account OF the Parker case.
which was not finished until yesterday
afternoon.
SIZE USED A GUN.
Mamie Harris, colored, had an old
Srudge against Nellie billiard. also col
ored, and while the latter was stand
ing in 4 door on Newcastle street Tues
day evening Mamie opened fire OH her
from across the street, the bullet
barely missing it's Intended victim, and
embedding itself In the door.
In the Police Court yesterday the
Harris woman said Nellie IIilliard had
been talking about her" Justice
Tomlin imposed n fine OF $50 and costs
and sentenced Mamie to six months in
jail. officer Mcars, who arrested the
prisoner, grabbed her before she could
fire the second shot.
FORBIDDEN BURYING GROUND.
George Bowman. colored, a. resident
of Atlantic City Ward was charged
with burying two horses in the city
limits In violation of the ordinance
prohibiting the burying OF dead animals
within the city's boundary.
William Rodgers, colored, near whose
house the dead horses were buried, was
the complainant in the case.
The defendant testified that Mayor
Johnston and Health Commissioner
Newbill told him that he had commit
ted no great wrong, provided the
horses were buried deep enough in the
ground. IT seems, however. that Bow
man only told the Mayor and Health
Commissioner about the interment OF
one horse. The decision was reserved
until to-day
SENT TO THE GRAND JURY.
.tII4ai4atAz,- + t,4Attea,-enlnrad,- with
breaking into the Norfolk Social Club.
corner of Nicholson and st. Paul
streets, and stealing liquor and So in
cash. was sent on to the grand jury.
Burton is also accused of touching
the money draw of Pat. Nilans up
town saloon to the tune of IS while
the proprietor was cutting meat. Po-
liccman Wood is credited with the ar
rest of burton.
AN OBJECT OF SUSPICION.
William Conlcy, colorcd, is thought
to be the thief who stole Rev. S. c..
Hatcher's bicycle and Is under arrest
upon that charge. lie was identified
yesterday as the one who pawned the
wheel at Il Church street pawn shop
for So
Con!ey is suspected by the police OF
being an accomplce OF the negro
Brickhouse, who was sent on to the
grand jury Tuesday on the charge OF
knocking Mrs. Winslow down on
Church street Saturday night and rob-
hing her of $40 in cash.
AFTER MANY MOONS.
Dennic Sycamore colored, was fined
500 and costs and sentenced to thirty
days in Jail for assaulting. colorcd
woman named Sarah Armley. The as
saul; occurred April 2Sth last at No.
If Rodgers court. Policeman Salyer.
who has a memory many miles long,
met Dennic IN town Tuesday night,
recognized his familiar face and sent
him via the patrol wagon route to the
station house.
4 ROANOKE DARKEY.
Daniel Cox, colored, will be given a
hearing in the Police Court this morn
ing on the charge of stealing Il pistol
from S. D. Williams. of Princess Anne
county. Cox claims Roanoke as a for
mer home.
BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS.
Referee d. Lawrence Groncr heart
evidence In the bankruptcy case OF b
Gil mn or l.i.. ~.