The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-04-19
BIG DAMAGE SUIT.
Suit Of T.. G. Williams, Administrator,
VS.. Interstate Telephone and TeIe-
graph Co., for $4,000 Damages, Now
Being Tried.

Judge Justice was feeling unwell yes
terday morning and on account of thi
fact court did not i've until list
o'clock.
The first case on the docket for the
day was that of II. Ct. Williams, admin
istrator, VS.. the Interstate Telephone
and Telegraph Company. The attorneys
representing both sides their
readiness for trial and the work OF
summoning a jury began. AS a usual
thing it does not take a very long time
to secure a jury in a civil case but this
case was an exception to the rule
The entire day was consumed in secur-
ing the jury about so jurors being
summoned before the jury was secur
ed. The jury is composed of the fol-
lowing men. Messrs. J. F. Casteen, H.
w. Howard, w. G.. Craig, Jr., w. H.
Lamb. G.. E. Leftwich, w. L. Williford,
James H. Taylor. Walker Taylor. H. B.
Wilson, G.. w. Higgins, w. c.. Peterson
and c. H. Ward. The complaint and
h answer were read yesterday after
noon and court then adjourned until
this morning at $50 O'Clock.
The suit is one which involves $40, COS
damages. Mr.. T. G. Williams, sues as
administrator to secure the above
named amount as the loss in the death
OF his young son, T. G.. Williams, Jr.
The facts as stated in the complain.
are as follows:
That prior to the 9th of July 1900. The
Inster-State Telephone and Telegraph
Company had a telephone in the resi-
dence of Mr.. T. G.. Williams. at what is
known as the Scattergood place in East
Wilmington and that the telephone was
removed from the residence but that
the wires leading from the street to the
residence. were not removed. On the
9Th of July Master T. G.. Williams was
playing in the yord near where the
loose wires were dangling from the
residence. The child was struck by
lightning and instantly killed. The
house was also struck just wnera. the
loose wires were dangling from. the
house. The plaintiff alleges that the
wires attracted the lightning ana that
the defendant is liable by reason Of
the fact hat they were negligent in
not removing he cut wires after the
telephone had been removed.
The case was tried in 1902 but result
ed in a mistrial, seven of the jury being
in favor of giving damages and other
five against giving any damages. There
are a number of witnesses and it will
probably take several days to dispose
Of the case. Mr.. 7. G. Williams moved
away from Wilmington after the &C.
cident and went to Norfolk where he
holds a position as machlnist in the
navy yards. When he lived in THIS
city he was chief engineer on the gov
eminent boat the Mary Lilly" Mr.
Williams reached here from Norfolk or
Wednesday.
The attorneys who appear in the
case are: MeSSrS. Russell & Gore and
Iredell Meares for the plaintiff, an
MessrS. Bellamy & Bellamy, J.. O. Carr
and E. x. Bryan. for the defendant
company.
Only two other cases were tlxen VI
yesterday and they were disposed Of
follows:
Murchison National Bank VS.. J.. D
Baines, time allowed plaintiff to ile
complaint and Is days allowed deIen.
dant to file answer after copy of ram
plant has served.
Murchison National Bank vs. Dunn
Oil Mill Company. time allowed plain.
tiff to file complaint and 10 days al
lowed defendant to file answer afle,
copy of complaint has been SCI Vad.