Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-16
VERDICT FOR $40, 900.
Mrs. Cleere Wins In Suit for Damages
at Little Rock.

mIB. C1eeIo WINS IN suit Iox Onma8oo
at Little Rock.
According to a dispatch from Little Rock.
Ark. jury at Malvern, that state. has
rendered a verdict against the Iron Noun
tain Railroad Company in favor Of Mrs.
Regina Tomlinson Cieere Of this city for
$4,000 Mrs. Cleere's former husband.
Thomas Arthur Tomlinson. was struck and
instantly killed by a locomotive engine
while directly In front Of the railroad depot
at Little Rock the evening Of Sunday. July
8. 1894. The sad accident occurred the day
following the close Of the Interstate COM
petitive drill Of 1894. in connection with
which the National Fencfbles of this city
won the championship OF the United States
The unbounded joy Of the National Fem
cibles was In an instant that Sunday even
ing changed to deep sorrow by the tragic
death of Third Sergeant Tomlinson, who
was acting as second lieutenant on the
trip. Mr.. Tomdnson in company with sew
eraf other members Of the Fenctbles had
gone to the union depot in Little Rock to
bid farewell to their friends Of the Indian
apolis Light Artillery. The night was q
stormy one, the rain falling In torrents, so
Mr.. Tonilinson wore his long officers over
coat buttoned closely. with the hood pulled
over his head. As he stepped from the car
in which were the Indianapolis batterymen
and was crossing a track in order to reach
the depot platform a switch engine backed
against Afio over nlm DeIOre ne couIo neeO
q warning cry from Mr.. WardwelL
The surgeon OF the Indianapolis, organiza-
ton, together with q crowd OF bystanders.
reached the scene almost immediately but
assistance was useless, as death had been
instantaneous. The sad news was conveyed
to the Fencfbles, most of whom were at
dinner at the time at the Capital Hotel At
first the comrades of the deceased consid-'
cred the report a joke. but as they became
convinced OF" its reality but few dry eyes
were to be seen.
/. After appropriate services the following
afternoon, and with their championship cup
/ filled with sorrow and the blue ribbons of
victory changed to badges of mourning, the
National Fencibles started In a. funeral
train for this city.
Mr. Tomlnson was chief Of the bureau Of
printing and stationery. Interior Depart
ment, and was one of the most efficient and
popular officers in the government service
Suit at law to recover damages In the sum
Of $4,000 was instituted by the widow.
Later a non-suit was taken. The next step
was the filing in the Saline circuit court of
the same suit for the same amount When
the case was tried the verdict was for the
fuil amount A new trial was asked and the
Judge overruled 1t On condition that the de-
Tense should enter remittftur Of $4,000
case TO the Supreme Court, which reversed
because OF an erroneous instruction given
oy the trial Judge. Then change Of venue
was taken to Hot Springs county where
the second trial was held last tall, resulting
IN hung jury The third trial was begun
at Malvern last week. The case went to
the jury and in less than four hours a yer.
dict for the plaintiff Of 10000 was rem
dered
The plaintiff. Mrs. Cleere, with the ten
yedr-old son Of the deceased, were In at
tendance at the trial just ended