The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-12
JUDGE AND JURY
VvEPT Bit TE.R|Ly.
Pathetic Case Of Young Lady
Brought Tears to Their
Eyes.
VERDI CT FOR THE PLAINTIFF.
Spectators Aroused to High
Pitch When Rockefeller Pre-
sentcd Decision to Court.

One OF the most enjoyable entertain
mcnts given here recently was mock
court trial at the Young Mems Christian
Association last night, entitled "a Breach
4 of Promise Suit"
The story upon which the suit Is based
Is one mixed with love, huinor and pathos,
and each part was acted SO well that
there was every appearance OF u tria!
by jury In real court OF law.
Colonel 10. Lane Stern was tho judge.
and he presided with the utmost dignity,
his bright uttennces from the bench often
CONFUSING the large audience with laugh
ter. The plaintiff In the case was Miss
Virgiie Petit who took the part OF a
young widow who had been tilted by the
defendant, Mr.. w. Reginald Walker.
Judge and Jury Wept.
Colonel A. " Newton, OF Worcester,
Mass, appeared for the plaintiff, and
Commowealth's Attorney Minctree F'olkes
represented the defendant. They looked
after the interests of their respective
clients in very able manner, and their
| arguments before the jury were excep-
| tionally eloquent. At times both lawyers
and on ono occasion Judge Stern was
seen to weep.
Sergeant William H. Wyatt Jr., opened
court at $3.50 o'clock, and Clerk Lawton
Crutchfield called the names OF twelve
jurors, who took their seats In the box
When they did not answer pro mptly
Cricr G. II. Tallcy would repeat Their
names in a low voice.
The jury was one OF the most distin.
! guishcd that ever sat on case in Rich
mond 1t was composed Of the foil owing
well-known men:
John D. Rockefeller (John S. Harwood)
Thomas S. Martin &C. A. Boyce). Claude
A. Swanson CIV. NJ. Bickers), Theodor,
Roosevelt u. D. Mathews), David b
Fill &c. b. White). j ohm L. Sullivan CIV
Id. Crenshaw) Chauncey N. Depew &c
S. Rose), Grover Cleveland (E. II. Jack
| SOM. George Dewey (B. B. Bowles), Johl
i w. Daniel CIV. S, Henning), Alton B
Parker (B. O. James,, ]. Pierpont Nor
gan I'd. A. Putney).
4 The panel was quickly made up
+ though counsel for the plaintiff wishe
to strike off Senator's Daniel and Marti
and Governor Swanson, on the groun
{ that they were too intelligent to sit o
the case. This motion was quickly over
/ ruled by the court, and Colonel NeWto
made a brief opening statement. he the
read the plaintiffs declaration, which al
legged that the defendant had promise
4 70 marry her and had refused to kec
. His client was the first witness, an
4 she greatly impressed the jury with he
d testimony
Though severely cross exanin ed b.
Mr.. 5Folkes, she stuck to her first stor
) and could not be shaken.
The other witnesses in the case Wcr
DR.. Thos. D. Murrell, Captain Geo
skipwlth, Misses Lottie Evans an
fannie Gillian, and the defendant
Mr.. Walker.
i Argument by counsel followed. an
! Judge stern instructed the jury as 7
the law, and practically en1oined the1
3 under heavy penalty to find Tor tn
plaintiff. .
The jury agreed to the followinn
y verdict, which was read by Foremn
: Rockefeller, amid applause, whiclr3th
(. court had great difficulty in suppress
: ing:
i 1--WE, The jury, find for the plain
!, tin in the sum of 1919, *S for the
y Jury and 70 cents for the Judge"
/, The judge then adjourned court ur
7. til 10 o'clock this morning. Ell
d The affair was most enjoyable on
y IT was given for the benefit OF IL
! Ladies Aid Society Of Emmanuel Bal
y fist Church.