Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1913-05-22
Lynn Wins Libel Suit.

week the Lynn-Armstrong libel case
was on trial. 1t was given to the
jury Thursday just after noon, Gov
entry appearing for Lynn and Cam
eron for Armstrong. During his
address to the jury Cameron made
several insulting remarks regarding
Lynn. referring to him as "shys-
ter" and making other derogatory
remarks that had no bearing on the
question as to whether or not Arm
strong had libeled Lynn. This line
of abuse probably did the defendant
more harm than good. 1t pays bet
ter in the long run for LAWYER to
study his books and get knowledge
of law, and then he can depend on
logic and reason and not abuse for his
weapons when he has case in court.
1t will be remembered that Lynn
had brought suit for libel not only
against Armstrong, but against
George Ivey. Mr.. Armstrong s testi-
mony and that of Mr.. Ivey was dia-
metrically opposite. Mr.. Armstrong
testified that he had written at Mr..
lvey's request the letter signed by
Mr.. lvey. The latter, in his testi-
mony, denied positively that he had
taken the initiative in writing the
alleged libelous letter; that Arm
strong had written the letter and
had gone to his Uvey'sl farm and
talked him into sigr ing it, and after
signing it said. That will fix him."
Mr.. Chas. Hoskins appeared as a
witness for Lynn in regard to the
purchase Of the "Bussey buildings"
ten or dozen years ago. 1t was
MIR. Hoskins father who bought
from Lynn these buildings, and the
witness had accompanied his father
to Linton at the time of the purchase.
His testimony bore out the construc-
ton put upon the deal by Lynn.
Carlos N. BoyEton-he of the big
corporation that bought the county's
delinquent tax lands at Sl.23 cents
on the dollar, less than the lawful
figure, while individual farmers
had to pay the full amount--sought
to help his Emmons county friends
through the medium of a deposition
in which deposition he showed the
depth of his love" for Mr.. Lynn.
Mr.. Coventry made a calm. logical
plea for his client. abusing nobody
III his address, but calling the atten-
tion of the jury to the law and the
evidence in the case.
The jury in this case consisted Of
the following citizens: Messrs. John
Anderson. Hans Hanson and Fred
Junge, of Braddock. John Brasseth,
Of Omio. j. r. Claxton and C. E.
Gregory, of Hazelton; K. j. Grain,
W. f. Hageman. and Jacob Rau of
Linton: Gottlieb Dockter, Of south
western Emmonms (postotfice, Pol
lock, s. D.; M. j. Fischer, of Stras-
burg; Ed. H. Nieuwsma, of Hague.
Fred Junge was the foreman of the
jury.
The jury went out just after noon
Thursday. and came into court about
] o'clock in the morning of Friday
with verdict in favor Of Lynn in
the sum Of five hundred dollars.
1t was reported that the jury were
unanimous In the opinion land go
voted) that the charge of libel had
been sustained, but that there was
big difference of opinion as to the
amuont that ought to be allowed.
the figures ranging from several
thousands of dollars down to one
man who wanted to make it dollar,
although he also voted that a libel
had been committed. Finally the
man who had held out for only
nominal damages agreed to make
the amount five hundred dollars,
and the verdict was given on that
basis.
The Record understands that Mr..
Cameron says the case will be APP
pealed to the supreme court. How
ever, as the power of that court ex-
tends only possibly ordering new
trial. an appeal and such resultant
trial might cause the next verdict to
be much larger something in
amount near what most of the jury
wanted to allow in the recent trial.
The following civil cases we're also
in court and acted on: Bosch VIZ.
Schott. Action on note. Verdict
for plaintiff.
World Medical Company VS..
George Pettis. Demurrer over
ruled.
Frank Yolk VS.. Joseph M. Volk.
Dismissed on motion Of defendant.
VI e. Hungerford VS.. E. D. Fogle.
Dismissed on motion of defendant.