The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-10-23
HARRISON RELATES
STORY Of BREACH
TEsTIrIEs IN own BEHALF IN
TRIAL OF SUIT AGAINST
MRS. RAMSAY.

second day OF the trial OF the Harrison
Ramsay damage suit was consumed
with the taking of the testimony of
the plaintiff, who was on the stand in
his own interest for four 1ours Nu-
rerous other witnesses will be heard
tomorrow and the case viii probably
not get to the jury before Saturday
afternoon
Hugh T. Harrison. who is suing un-
der an old anti-dueling law for st0.-
coo damages for alleged insulting SEN
fences In tha official and private cor
respondence of Mrs. Clarissa S. RAM
say, owner Of Westover and postmis-
tress at that place. took the stand
shortly after noon. He was the first
witness In the case, the early morning
hours having been taken up with a
private confererte between Judge
Gardiner Tyler, presiding judge. and
attorneys for both sides.
Plea of the Defense.
At this conference the question OF
the pleas Of the defense was discussed
Mrs Ramsay's attorneys entered two
pleas of Justification and one plea OF
privilege. The plea of privilege was
over-ruled by the court together with
one plea of justifcation The jury
must determine only, therefore, wheth-
or Mrs Ramsay was justified In writing
the letter to protect her life and in
terests.
Mr.. Harrisons testimony was taken
up mostly with a recital OF the cir
cumstances leading mp to the breach
Of the friendly relations existing be-
tween the defense and tho Tiaint'r
aud with an exposition of his attl-
tude before and after the alleged in
sulting letter was written. He was
closely eross- examined by counsel for
the defense, r, Fl. Byrd and Common
wealths Attorney Nance.
rhe Trouble BeRtrs.
Mr. Harrison stated that the first
breach occurred " hen Mrs. Ramsay.
who was In Europe cabled MIN to get
out OF the room he was occupying ms
caretaker of the westover estate.
I'm discussing the plans for my ocou-
rancy of her house" continued Harri-
| son, Mrs. Ramsay specifically told
me to use her room in the mansion
for myself, my wife and my little child
/ she said this was the biggest. most
! armand comfortable room IN the house
| and she wanted me to occu3y II.
after She, had been In Europe
about a month she cabled me to get
! out OF her room AMI occupy the 'Hyrd
Room" The BYRD Room named al
ter william Bryd. founder of the
Westover estate and the city of r. h
mond.
MIR. Harrison then told OF the finan
cha, dealings between himself and the
owner, declaring that he had never
| been recompen sed for his services
4 had spent all but ss.43 Of the
! 5000 for Vhe hire of the hands ana
othT expenses of the estate. and made
| out check for sS.43 payable to Mrs.
Ramsays son and gave 1t to the at
torney. I wrote In the corner OF the
check Settlement in full for Westover
account "
| AT this point Attorney Smith ex-
hibited the check and invited the at
tention of the court and the jury to
the fact that someone had erased
settlement in full for Westover ae-
count from the corner of the check.
! Mr. Smith placed great emphasis on
| this.
Although she had promised to
| renumerate me handsomely, she gave
| me nothing" said Harrison, resuming
! his testimony II could not under.
island this unless s,ae regarded my
| having broken several lamp chimneys
| and having occupied her house as fun
| payment for me- During her absence
i / paid very little attention to my own
business or affairs. | neglected them
to attend to her business at Westoyef.
l did not spend all my time in her
| house, but / went to Westover every
day 10 attend TO her business. l re-
ceived nothing for my time and trou-
BILE
Mrs Ramsay was in court during
| the time Mr.. Harrison was on the
stand and listened eagerly to his testi-
mony Dressed in white she leaned
forward in her chair, cycling intently
the man who Is seeking to recover
$4,000 from her for the alleged nm
bridled use of her tongue and pen.
That interest had not decreased was
evidenced by the packed court room
during the early hours of the first
day of real Importance in the trial
crowd which diminished but slightly
as the day advanced.
There are about twenty other wit
nesses to be examined before all the
evidence Is in Then the attorneys sum
up and the jury will have one of the
most unique cases in the history Of
Virginia Jurisprudence.
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