The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1913-06-03

Colonel Theodore Roosevelt last
Saturday won his libel suit against
George A. Newett, who charged the
Colonel with drunkenness, and having
waived damages after the defendant
had uttered a retraction, the jury
awarded the nominal damages Of six
cents provided in such cases by the
law of Michigan. Each party to the
suit will have to pay his own expens-
eS.
Give Verdict in Seats
Judge Flanagan instructed the jury
to bring in a verdict for the plaintiff
which they did without leaving their
seats.
The climax of the case came like
the conclusion of drama.
When the afternoon session began,
the air was electric with expectancy.
Rumors were flying that the suit
would be terminated.
End Comes Suddenly
Counsel, however, remained uncom-
municative and Attorney Van Ben
schotten, for the plaintiff, resumed the
reading of dispositions. 1t was noted,
however, that he skipped portions of
those and even ignored the testimony
of some witnesses who had made de-
positions. The next move was sudden:
"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, Horace
Andrews of Cleveland and William P
Belden of Ishpeming.
"The defense will call Mr.. Newett,'
announced Attorney Belden, and a
rudy checked man, whose color did
not disguise the fact that he is suffer
ing from serious illness, took the
chair. In his hand he carried manu-
script. There was a shuttle as the
spectators adjusted themselves the
better to hear and observe.
Colonel Betrays Excitement
Colonel Roosevelt sat with folded
arms at first, but when the defend
ant 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
position seemed like that of man a.
bout to leap forward, lost the tense
look on his face.
at is fair to the plaintiff to state
that have been unable to find in any
section of the country any individual
witnesses who are willing to state
that they have personally seen Mr.
Roosevelt drink to excess"
At this the plaintiff smiled and, re.
Taxing, spoke few words in the cal
of Attorney Van Benschotten. The
latter smiled back at him.
The colonel broke into a grin AGAR
when Mr.. Newett, speaking distinctly
and with emphasis, said with refer.
ence to the mass of testimony adducec
by the plaintiff, 81 am forced to the
conclusion that l was mistaken"
No Demand for Retraction
No demand for a retraction ever
had been made, he stated, and wher
the bill was filed against him there
was nothing left for him to do bu,
seek evidence and make other pre-.
parations to contest the suit.
Forty dispositions were taken in va.
rious parts of the country, but to use
or to attempt to use them would be te
continue an injustice which had al.
ready become apparent to him and tt
his attorneys.
Leaving the stand and returning te
his seat, Mr.. Newett looked in the di.
rection of Colonel Roosevelt, but the
latter was absorbed in whispering te
Attorney Van Benschotten. The lat.
ter whispered in turn to Attorney
Pound and he turned to Judge Flanni.
gan and said:
with the courts permission, the
plaintiff would like to make a brief
announcement"
The judge nodded and Mr.. Roose.
welt arose. Bowling to the court, the
colonel said that he would waive the
matter of damages save for the nomi.
nal amount provided by law. Speak.
ing of his purpose in instituting the
suit he said:
/ Il wished, once for all during my
lifetime to deal with those ISLANDERS
so that never again will it be possible
for any man in good faith to repeat
them. Minneapolis Tribune.