The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-03-04
.BUSBY SUIT
IS; ON TRIAL R \ /.
Plaintiff iii Alleged Conspiracy
Case Tells Of Transactions
With Dawson.
LONG FIGHT IS EXPECTED
Strong Array 81 Counsel and.
livery Point Likely to be
Contested.

4 = F 4 y 81 F
What promises atths time TO- develop
Into orc OF the most highly sensational
damage suits tried in Richmond in some
time, Is that Of j. II. Busby, the well
known Broad street merchant. against
Sol. T. Bloombcrg. Luther Dawson and
Harry Marks, which was commenced In
tho Law and Equity Court before Judge
JohnI1 Ingram yesterday
X Mr., lsusby is suing The defendants for
sac, 0GO damages, on the alleged ground OF
q conspiracy TO wreck his business, and
TO plumber him Of his money. after set
Ting with his creditors. Tho declarations
which has already been printed at
length in The Times Dispatch, Is ono OF
the splciest documents filed here recently,
and n strong array Of able lawyers rcp-
resent the various parties in the case.
Tho battle will be spirited a every stage
and 1t looks now as IL tho attorneys Will
vigorously contest every point
A large number of witnesses and
spectators were on hand when the case
vas called and In few moments the
following jurors were selected:
A1cssrs. Eugene Cherry. w. S. Con-
stable, b. r. .Crump, Lee Thaw,8 Frank
lin Stearns, James r. Sloan and IIamp-
ton Fleming.
STRONG LAWYERS M
Messrs. w. L. Royal and u. O.gJamcs
appear for Mr.. Busby; Messrs George
bryan, Allen 6. Collins and Charles NJ.
Williams, for A1essrs. Marks and Bloom
berg, and Messrs. FL. M. Smith and Wise
and Watkins. for Mr.. Dawson. Among
the witnesses summoned for the plain
tiff arc: NIcssrs. r. Emmett Seaton, 10.
Lane and Cary ELLIS Stern, Richard II.
Smith, O. J. Sands, Henry Fleggenhiner
and i. y. Tatum.
The case will likely consume a week
or more, though pretty good progress
was made on yesterday. e
The lawyers made their opening state
mcnts, and Mr.. Busby was partially cx-9
amined. though no did not complete his
testimony, and wIll5resume when the case
IS called again to-day. 81
b Mr.. Royal was the first speaker, and
In outlining his case he was at times
exceptionally vigorous. He reviewed the
contents of the declaration at some
length, and was followed BY Mr.. Collins.
who made the opening statement for his
2clieEts on behalf of himself and his
colleagues.
Mr. Smith opened for Mr. Dawson, and
he expressed tho belief that he would
be able on behalf Of Mr.. Dawson to-
break down the contentious of the plain-
tiff.
PLAINTIFF ON STAND.
Mr.. Busby was then put upon the
stand and testified at lergth as to the
transactions between himself and Mr..
Dawson. He told Of his first acquain-2
tance with Dawson, and of how. In 1902.
the latter begun to endorse for him. At
first witress thoust. we'll of the young
man. He produced a contract between
himself and Dawson, giving the latter
access to his books, etc, He said he
paid Dawson So per month to endorse
his paper. lie told of how two Of his
Northern creditors had come In and
taken back goods he had purchased from
them. Ia 8s
At this point Mr.. Royal haEdcd to wit
ness a letter for signature Identification.
Tho letter was signed Harry Marks, aud
was addressed to Thalheimer. one OF the
creditors mentioned. The witness recog-
nized tho signature.
Tho letter was then read. IT. 1t Marks
under date of June 18th. advised Thai
heimer to put his claim In the hands OF
Boomberg, and asked that the letter
be regarded as confidential.
Tho witness testified as to a somewhat
similar letter which Lockheim, the other
creditor, had received from Marks.
Witness said on June ODD Dawson had
brought papers to hm3to sign, which he
did without reading them. One turned
out to be a power of attorney. Others
were deeds OF trust, etc. to secure adj
vances which Dawson was to make.
These papers were admitted, and Mr..
Busby proceeded. lie will conclude to-
day. Itj} t III i4s Il