The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-17

indicating him for the humilia ton
no suffered through the loss of his
wife and publicly expressing it's belief
that he had been robbed OF her nfrec-
tions by conspiracy on the part OF
her family, the jury which, during
seven days. has patiently listened to
evidence and argument in the remark
able Walker Ratclirc $4,000 aliena-
tion suit, brought in verdict in the
Law and Equity Court last night
awarding Thomas Grant Walker.
plaintiff, damages in the sum Of $1,000
y motion by Mr.. Meredith for the
defense that 1t be set aside as con-
trary To law and evidence was con-
tinued for a hearing 1T II future date
Courtroom Thrown Into Upronr.
No sooner had II. Theodore Ellyson,
who acted rs foreman OF the jury of
seven men. announced the verdict in
reply to Deputy Clerk Luther Libby,
than the courtroom was thrown into
an uproar. Men and women, and even
children, clapped violent and unaf-
fected approval OF the verdict. and
order was not restored until the plain
tin and his attorneys had filed out
OF the courtroom and made their way
into the corridor.
Outside Mr.. Walker was besieged by
friends and acquaintances Offering
their congratulations.
Lawyers and laynen also surround
cd l.. o. Wendenburg, chief counsel
Tor walker. whose brilliant address to
the jury was the climax to the most
unique and dramatic civil case ever
heard in n Richmond court OF law.
Mrs. Walker Not There.
Frank and John l.. Ratcliffe, who
have been the leading figures and
guiding spirits among the family OF
defendants, remained in the courtroom
n few minutes with their counsel, G.
V. Meredith and James Malcolm Well
ford. In preliminary conference as
to tho next steps TO be taken in the
suit. Mrs. Ratcliffe. Mrs. Frederick NJ.
Wadsworth, OF Pittsburgh, and Mrs.
Thomas Grant Walker. the chief figure
focused in the public eye since the
drama was staged, retired immediate-
ly after MIR. Wcndenburg closed his
argument. and wore not present when
the verdict was rendered. II. f. Rat
oiiffe, father OF the bride, had retired
from the courtroom during tho after
noon.
The two Ratcliffe brothers appeared
almost stunned by the verdict. They
had appeared confident that the final
verdict would be for them. and that
they would be forever cleared OF the
charge that they conspired together
and caused their sister to violate her
marriage vows ten hours after she had
become Walkers Wife With n small
party OF their friends they retired from
court and went home.
WendenburS Has Final Say.
Surrounded by members OF his fam
lily. Grant Walker stood for few
minutes just outside the City Hall and
held levee with his friends. Mr..
Wendenburs went through a side door
and escaped from the crowd Mr.
Walker declined to make any comment
on the outcome OF the case.
Mr. Wcndcnburg, with n half-hour OF
his allotted time 10 spare. finished his
dramatic appeal at 6:37 o'clock. Judge
Crump Immediately ordered Sherin
Mercer and his deputies to clear way
through the crowd. which had massed
itself against every entrance. and three
minutes later. headed by Barney Frsch-
korn, with every eye III the courtroom
levcled upon them, the seven Jurors re-
tired FOR consideration of the case.
The majority OF the people remained
in the courtroom. fearing TO lose their
ceats il they left. Those who had been
standing struggled out into tho cor
ridor. waiting for tho denouement in
the famous case.
Verdict In Eighteen Minutes.
Within eighteen minutes. at 6:5S
o'clock, the jury announced that it was
ready with the verdict. and Sheriff
Mercer brought the jurors in. Silence
Libby stepped forward and asked II
the jurors had decided upon verdict.
I'VE have" announced Mr.. Eliyson.
rising and passing the papers to the
deputy.
We, the jury" Mr.. Libby read. "hnd
for the plaintiff and assess his dam
ages ut $1,000"
Excitement restrained so long burst
its bounds, and the room resoundcd
with the clapping OF hands and a
hoarse buzz OF approval. People for
got the dignity OF the court. and
around Walker and his at
torneys. Mr.. Wendenburg grasped his
client by the hand, smiled, and hastily
left him among his friends
Case Unique I'm Virginia.
Thus ended civil suit which has no
parallel In the history OF Virginia
courts. a drama OF romance and broken
vows az strange as any ever con-
ceived In fiction. II has attracted the
attention of the State. and been the
common topic In every home In Rich
n hf,