Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-01-11
Supervisors Settle Numerous
Damage Cases Growing Out
OF Broken Bridge
PAYS OUT ABOUT $4,000
Matters Long in Litigation as Result
of Traction Engine Going Thru
Bridge Finally Adjudicated by New
Board Of supervisors-Many Claims
ant for Various Sums.
Special to Times-Republican.

+
Newton, Jan. 11.-After some expen-
sive litigation and the prospect for
much more, damage suits amounting
to many thousands of dollars have
visors of Jasper county. Ii the agrees
ments to settle, together with the pay
ment of one large judgment that has
been returned by the courts, the coun-
ty will pay out about $4,000 all told
as the result of one accident, which
was due to a defective bridge.
The several suits were the outgrowth
of an accident wherein threshing
machine and traction engine went thru
county bridge over Watt lake, in
Sherman township, on the highway be-
tween Colfax and Newton. One man
was killed by the crash, another was
made helpless cripple, and two or. !.
three others were more or less severe-
ly injured.
Settle on a Fair Basis.
Despite the fact that one large judg-
ment had been obtained against the
county the old board Of supervisors
refused to enter into a settlement OF
the remaining cases. The new board
which assumed office this year. has
now compromised with the claimants
and pays them $3.50 in settlement for
suits aggregating $21. .S26. This settle
mentt does not, however, include tna
suit, brought by Joseph Slaughter, th1
worst injured, and who has obtained
| judgment for $4,000 in the courts. ana
whose claim, with accrued interest,"
now amounts to $12,2SS.72, for which
| the county has issued interest bear
llng warrants. Warrants have also been
I issued in settlement of the other claims
amounting to $3.50, as well as attor-
neys' fees Of $1,O14 and other costs
estimated at $500. The various claims
were settled on the following basis:
T! M. T. Tripp, administrator of the es.
| tate of Clarence Campbell, who was
killed sued for $4,000, with INTEREST,"
and settled for $1,000.
| Mrs M. L. Slaughter, mother OF JOSS
eph Slaughter, minor, sued for $4,a
9s1.25. and settled for $3.50.
j. A. Campbell, father of Clarence
Campbell, minor, sued for $2,420, and
settled for 5000
Three claims of ]. A. Wilton Tor $605
!! settled for 5000.
4 Claim of Nell Slaughter for $6O6A
settled for 5000.
| Claim of John Luther for $0O5, set~
tied for 5000.
Accident Occurred in 1904.
! The accident out of which grew
these claims occurred July s, 1904. A
threshing crew controlled by Joseph
/, Slaughter was leaving -Colfax. In
crossing the Watt lake bridge, the
structure gave way. participating men
and machine several feet. The men
had planked the bridge, but it was an
old structure and apparently unsafe.
| Clarence Campbell son of j. A. Camp
bell, was killed outright. Joseph
Slaughter was paralyzed from the
waist down and when the case waS
tried in court had to be brought into
the room on sstretcher. His mother
brought suit for $4,000 and the case
was tried at Montezuma, because Jas.
per county was a party to the suit.
Judgment was rendered for the full
amount, and the supreme court af-
firmed the decision. In view of this re-
suit the new board concluded the least;
expensive way was to settle 'rather
than engage in expensive litigation
| that would probably result in mors
| judgments against the county.