Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1913-07-03

question whether a mountain
jury would countenanee such an
effort to force money from those
who acted in good faith had new
er heard .of the plaintiff and
could possibly have nolmalice a.
gainst him. AS a matter of fact,
it was shown that the man had
not been injured, but in a letter
to the insurance company had
claimed that he was greatly ad-
vertised and helped in his busi-
ness by the publications.
After many contingencies the
case against the STATE Journal
was finally called last Tuesday
and a jury secured. Circuit Judge
Lewis, who presided in the case,
showed a very fair and most ac-
commodating spirit, and at our
request, in order to hurry
through the trial, he held a
night session Tuesday nearly
until the hour when churchyards
are supposed to yawn.
The case was most subbornly
prosecuted and ably defended,
and owing to apparent efforts
to prolong it, it dragged it's weary
length along for days and nights.
Since the filing Of the suit the
plaintiff claimed to have dis
covered that he was more dam
aged than he at first supposed
and added $4,000 to the S25, 600
claim against the State Jurnal.
This Judge Lewis cut ont, and an
additional $40, 900, in his instruct
tions to the jury, and said Mat in
no case shouldthe verdict e&oe2d
$15.0 The State Journal was
represented by Hazelwood &
johnson, who made a strong and
satisfactory defence, and Mv E.
H. Johnson's speech to the jury
was one of the best, as in parts
it was as eloquent, as any we
have ever heard. The other side
labored hard, with poor argu-
ments and the end came Tues
day evening when after few
minutes consultation the jury
.retnrneda. Verdiet-in Sev5f .;
the newspaper.
In this connection we want tC
say that the average mountain
man has a fine sense of Justice
and a repugnance to seAng
man robbed by legal q Other
methods and will not counter
ance it by his verdict. He may
not pay as much attention to hi:
personal appearance as the ju
rors in this part of the state, but
his sunburned face indicates hon.
esty, noble purpose, and a desire
to do right as he sees it, We. whC
had lad some experience in the
mountains, recognized this all the
time and were not afraid to sub
nit our interests to their hands
AT any rate, we will never per
nit ourselves to be mulcted wher
so honest a yeomanry stands
ready to prevent it as inhabit tn,
mountains of Kentucky.
Expression of our thaaks is du,
to the court and its officers fo,
most respectful treatment, and t
the judge for his most kindl!
, consideration. The latter labored
under the disadvantage Of havini
to break in an inexperienced
, stenographer, the regular one be
ing sick, and the questions ant
, answers had to be repeate,
sometimes more than once
! greatly delaying the proceedings
The young lady did the best sh,
could, however. Angels could d
a no more.
While it cost us more to defenC
{ the suit than it did those paper
{ that compromised, we are gla
q that we fought toa finish an
, are proud to add our testimon
q that mountaineers are usually Q
o honest as they are free; that al
, pearance and looks count for lii
o tie, and that a man is a man fC
a that, and a that.