The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1921-07-20
NIRY AWARDS BIG
DAMAGES AGAINST
GULF COAST LINES
Two Weeks Trial Results in
Victory For the
Plaintiff
CASE NOW GOES UP ON
APPEAL HIGH COURT
Six Thousand Dollars is
mount Assessed for Ac-
cident in This City

HItlEllE III A1A0 &j4GY
The trial jury that sat through the
long trial and handed in verdict for
III tbusand dollars in favor Of plain
dff was as follows:
8 S. Bertheaud, Opelousas.
r. F. Hollier, Opelousas.
Iadie Soileau, near opelousas.
q P. Helluin, Washington.
e. Carron, near Washington.
Athanas Manuel, Bunice.
H. NJ. Roberts, Opelousas.
T. E. Allen, Opelousas.
G. C. Dominique, Opelousas.
Albert Clary, Opelousas.
Oscar Andrepont, Opelousas.
Leon Chachere, opelousas.
After about two weeks of hard
fighting in the torrid weather Of July,
the civil action for damages against
the New Orleans, Texas and Mexico
Railroad company, instituted by Mrs.
Al. Andrus OF this city, came to an
end Saturday when the trial jury
awarded the plaintiff damages in the
sum of six thousand dollars, the peti-
tsen filed when the suit was instituted
calling for fifteen thousand dollars.
Many days we're consumed in the
offering of testimony by both sides,
the plaintiffs attorney, John w. Lew
is offering the evidence of many per-
sons. The railroad side was not pres
ented until toward the the end of the
trial. and the company had formid-
able array OF trains employees, includ-
ing everal negro brakemen, who went
on the stand and told what they knew
Of the case.
Taking Of testimony was finished on
Friday afternoon and Saturdays ses-
sian Of the court was devoted exclu-
sively to the argument Of counsel ana
the charge Of the court to the jury.
If did not require very long for the
twelve men to hand in their verdict
giving the plaintiff the sum named
"a damages for the accident in Wnlch
she suffered a number of bruises ana
narrowly escaped losing her life.
The case will be appealed to
higher court. Under the terms OF
the new constitution, it is stated, the
trial aupeals in damage cases viii be
heard by the circuit court and not
the supreme court, the first named be-
ing now under the new order the
nourt af last resort. This change IN
the jurisprudence of the state means
that there will be no long-drawn wait
for decree in the case as the cal
endar Of the circuit court is not SO
as that Of the supreme
court and the former will be able 70
expedite matters and dispose OIL the
ease in a short time as compared Win
the usual three-year wait II the case
would 90 to the supreme tribunal
The facts in the case are easily re-
called by the people Of opelousas. Mr.
Il J.
and Mrs. Andrus and several friends
we're in an automobile and were pro
,eeding along North Court street ana
vbap about to cross the defendant
.ompany's tracks near the relgnt
station were almost run down py
'reight car that had been "klcKeo
" . locomotive that was engaged IN
,witching work in the yards. MIS-.
.ndrus became so frightened by the
threatening danger that she jumped
rom the car and fell on the tracks
.oIling out on the end Of the crosstles.
he kicked" car passing over her
hat Is. the overhang OF the car. she
inferred considerable bruises and was
,onfined to bed some time as a result
4 the injuries sustained and the ooA'
cement nervousness. The other Oc-
upants Of the automobile escaped un-
cratched by a miracle. though 1t ap-
,eared that their auto would be run
own and demolished by the freight
ar and the persons riding in It eth
r killed or injured