Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1913-06-04
Michigan Editor Makes Frank
Retraction in Court.
COLONEL WAVES DAMAGES
Former President Declares He Did
Not Go Init the Case for Money,
but for vindlcation. n. +.


against George A. Newett, who
charged the colonel with drunken
ness. The colonel having waived
damages after the defendant had ut
tered a retraction the jury awarded
the nominal amount of cents, pro-
vided in such cases by the law OF
Michigan. Each party to the suit will
have to pay his own expenses. {.
Judge Flanagan instructed the
jury to bring in verdict for the
plaintiff, which it did without leav-
ing the box.
The climax of the case came like
the conclusion of drama. When the
session began the air was charged
with expectancy. Rumors were fly
ing that the suit would be terminated.
Counsel, however, remained uncom.
municative and Attorney Van Ben
schoten for the plaintiff resumed the
reading of depositions., It was noted.
however, that he skipped portions OF
those and even ignored the testimony
of some witnesses who had made
dispositions. The next move was
sudden.
Eyes Turn Toward Defendant.
"The plaintiff rests" remarked At
torney James H. Pound in a matter
of fact manner and every eye was
turned toward the table where sat
the defendant and his attorneys, Hor.
ace Andrews of Cleveland and William
P. Belden of 1shpeming.
''The defense will call Mr.. Newett,"
announced Mr.. Belden, and a ruddy
checked man. whose color did not
disguise the fact that he is suffering
from serious illness, took the chair
| In his hand he carried manuscript.
There was shuttle as the spectators
adjusted themselves better to hear
and observe.
Colonel Roosevelt sat with folded
| arms, at first, but when the defendant
| began reading his statement he moved
to the utmost edge OF his chair and
| betrayed an excitement which his
rigid jaws could not hide.
Mr.. Newett was we'll along in his
reading before the colonel, whose po-
sition seemed like that of man
about to leap forward, lost the tense
look on his face. 3,,->-.>.. i.
at is fair to the plaintiff to state
that l have been unable to find in
any section of the country any in
dividual witness who is willing to
state that he has personally seen Mr..
Roosevelt drink to excess
At this the plaintiff smiled and, re-
taxing, spoke few words in the ear
of Attorney Van Benschoten. The
latter smiled back at him.
Roosevelt Quietly Smiles.
The colonel broke into smile again
when Mr.. Newett, speaking distinctly
and with emphasis, said with refer
ence to the mass of testimony ad-
duced by the plaintiff, II am forced
to the conclusion that I was mis-
taken"
Leaving the stand and returning to
his seat Mr.. Newett looked in the di-
rection of Colonel Roosevelt but the
latter was absorbed in whispering to
Attorney Van Benschoten. Later he
whispered in turn to Attorney Pound,
then turned to Judge Flanagan and
|said:
with the courts permission the
Iplaintiff would like to make a brief
announcement"
i The Judge nodded and Mr. Roose.
Welt arose. Bowling to the court the
colonel said: + g.
"Your honor, in view of the state,
ment of the defendant, ask the court
to instruct the jury that desire only
nominal damages. I did not go into
this case for money. did not 60
into it for any vindictive purpose. !
went into it and. as the court said,
made my reputation an issue because
wished once for all during my life.
time, thoroughly and comprehensive
~, to deal with these ISLANDERS so that
never again will it be possible for
any man In good faith to repeat them
have achieved my purpose and am
! content" ....