Smyrna times., 1903-10-28
COUNCIL SETTLES CLAIM
EOR ELECTROCUTED HORSE
AFTER MUCH DELIBERATION THEY SETTLE
WITH JAMES BARRETT FOR $500
Council Was Disposed to Allow the Claim ,o
10 Unsettled when Barrett Agreed to
Take $500 to CIdse the Case.

Inc Smyrna Town Council met in
special session Saturday evening and
after mature deliberation it was finally
ueclded to settle with James Barrett
coiored, for $500, and thus close the
electrocuted horse incident that had
oeen pending before that BODY for
several weeks. 1t was the opinion of
the Council, which was sustained h.,
iesal opinion, that the town was not
10 OIame for the accident since the
authorities had no knowledge of the
l"lnp Oelng blown down by the storm
ana consequently were not responsi.
Dle Ior the live wire killing the horse
Inc demand of Barrett would have
p Ny been refused and If necessary
would nave been contested in Court
haa not some one approached Barrett
ana told him to try and settle with the
council for $500. In agreeing TO
pay this amount, the Council tbongb+
IL best to close the matter rather tbon
expend $1,000 on lawyers fees. which
might have cost to push the case
Inc settlement was made in fulI wi4b
Barrett on Saturday night and his
receipt taken for same. The accidep+
occurred on September the 9th dnr.
ecker q raging thunder storm. when tho
I%-p at the corner of Commerce and |
East streets blew down. In driving
rapidly through town, Barrett did not
nouee the lamp and in the twinkling
OF an eye his horse became entanoled
IN 1--we wire, and died almost instant.
~ from a shock of thousand volt of
electricity. The falling of the lamn
was due to the swapping of the pulley
"nlch held the lamp, caused bv the
severe winds. Barrett first wan+od
S2OO, then he brought in a statemon+
signed by John Slaughter, N. g.
David and Samuel Shorts saving the
morse was worth 500 and seeing that
ne would have to sue for the amount
ne made an offer to the Council 70 set
tie for $500, which was accepted
More Discussion on Street Grading
The regular session of the Conno;I
was held Friday evening and all wers
present except Councilman TbornIor
Chairman Grieves of the Light and ,
Water Committee, reported that work :
OF supplanting rotten electric light \
poles with new was progressing as !
rapidly as possible, that sixteen had 7
already been put in, and eleven more Y
were yetto follow. Another inspection
VIII be made to see if any more are q
needed. Attention was called To tba n
Tree stumps in front of Asburv M r. 7
parsonage and the Office of DR.. Victor n
NJ messlck and was referred to the Street n
committee. Chairman Hudson oftba n
otreet Committee notified the Counc;l
mat Mr.. Jardine expected 5000 bnsbeIs
of oyster shells and wanted to know
what he should do regarding the pur-
'hase OF them. This led to a dis. M
'usslon on streets in which some
aVored the use of stone. some sIao
md some wanted to see an experiment e1
rled with shells and sand or shells 81
nd clnders. The question is still an NJ
pen one. The rest of the MEETING dc
vas devoted to discussing the electro, "r
uted horse and in hearing the state iu
aent Of Barrett who was present. fu
The following bills were read and Sc
Aowed: Lewis F. Boyer, 75c; William fo
. Robinson, work, $29.OO; John Grif- ma
n work, $1,000; James Viney, work, tn
lL.25; Atlantic Milk Supply Company, gr
ue scrapers, $6.71; P. B. W. Rail NJ
BAD, $3O.S7; Salaries for October. tn
249.5O; McClannahan & Co., stone mi
q. Al; Total, 1851. tn,
an