The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-20
UNIQUE DAMAGE SUIT
COMES To TRIAL TO-DAY
Hugh Harrison Seeks RccompenSe
From Owner of MISSIONER for
Alleged Insulting Letter.
REFERENCE TO DYNAMITE
Mrs. Ramsay Orders Him to Keep
or Her Place, notwithstanding
Fact That Office Was Located
Thcre-Sends Letter to Officials.

There is TO be staged In tho Charles
City Circuit Court this week, beginning
to-day, one of the most unique damage
suits ever tried In Virginia. The case
is that of Hugh Harrison against Mrs.
Clarisa Sears Ramsay. involving the
recovery of damages in the sum OF SI0,-
600 for alleged libel.
Interest In the suit is widespread be-
cause of the prominence of the princi-
pals, and Ii is expected that there will
be largo crowd OIL hand this morning
when the court begins It's session. Feel
ing runs high in the county, and the
case will be hard fought by both sides,
IL being generally conceded that the
recovery OF monetary damages is a
secondary consideration.
Counsel for both sides will argue
many points of law before any evil
dence is introduced. 1t is prob
able that the selection of n Jury
viii call for n bitter contest. The de-
PENDANT has already ask ed for change
Of venue on account OF alleged ill-feel-
ing against her, hut the court has re-
fused the motion. 1T is claimed by the
defense, that the neighborhood is
prejudiced against Mrs. Ramsay, and
that she cannot secure Il fair trial i'm
Charles City County.
FEUD BIsTNyEEN MRS. RAMSAY
AND HER NEIGHBOURS
jus; what the trouble between Mrs.
Ramsay and her neighbors is cannot
he learned. She, as tho owner of In
nous old Westover, the home of Colonel
William Eyrd. founder of Richmond
has never apparently been able to over
come the prejudice of tho older fam
lilies. who are said TO regard her as
an lintcrlopcr. 1t is said that she has
become further cmbittered because OF
alleged flights which she has received
from some OF her neighbors. and.
while she has entertained lavishly. her
guests being some Of the most promi-
nent society people Of the North and
EhSt; she has not been conceded so
cial leadership I'M her own locality.
litter feeling arose between Mrs
Ramsay and Mr., Harrison. The latter
is member OF one of the Oldest Vir-
ginia families. being n descendant OF
President William Henry Harrison. and
brother-in-law Of Major Clay. Drewry,
by whom Wcstovcr was sold to M"s
Ramsay This feeling became so in
tense that she ordered him to Keep OF
her property. and notified him that no
freight would be handled for him at
her private wharf.
BASIS OF ACTION
NOW BEFoEE QOURT
The basis OF the action, whkcl, is
filed under n special statute COVERING.
the use OF insulting language calcu-
LAT d to create Il breach of the peace
III letter said to have been written by
Mrs. Ramsay oil August IL. 1919 In
TINS letter Mrs Ramsay reminds Mr.
Harrison that he had already been
warned by the commemorative attor-
ney In open court To stay OF the West
over property. She gave as her prin.
clpal reason, that 3hc had hnan IN
formed that he had threatened to break,
up the MISSIONER post-oiiice, and, not
Knowing what means he would employ
whether he would use dynamite OF,
other explosives or not. he'notificd him
mat she would view his appearance on
her premises with suspicion and In tie
Eight of Il menace to her personal safety
ara to the safety of the post office build
Ing. Copies OF ths letter. she said, had
been mailed to two Justices of the peace.
the Virginia Navigation Company. the
Posl-onicc Department. Common
wealth's attorney and to Richard Eve
Ign Byrd, then Speaker of the House of
Delegates.
Mrs Ramsay WAS the wife of
wealthy California ranchman, and un-
der her ownership MISSIONER has been
greatly improved The estate has been
put III high state of cultivation. and
the mansion has been thoroughly mod
crni4ed.
Harry NJ. Smith. Jr, and lrvint;
Campbell represent Mr.. Harrison. and
Richard Evelyn Byrd. NJ. n. Nance
commemorative attorney for Charles
CITY County, and N. l.. Henley, or
Williamsburg. represent the defendant
Mr. BYRD the principal counsel for the
defense, is q direct descendant of COL
onei Byrd, Builder OF Westover.