POPPED THE QUESTION.
This morning the case of Caroline Weihn vs. Lenhart Walters was brought before Judge Sutphen. The case is an interesting one, as it is a suit for $5,000, alleged breach of promise. The principals live just north of Mark Center, Mr. Walter living with his father on an 80 acre farm owned by the latter, while Miss Weihn is the daughter of poor but respected people, living near Mark Center. The plaintiff was represented by Messrs. Harris & Cameron and Newbegin, while J. E. Coulter acted as the defendant's attorney.
Miss Weihn was the first witness. Her testimony was of little importance until it reached the point where, as she alleges, Walters popped the question. In speaking of his visits to her, she said that he asked her on the 20th of November and the 4th of December. The testimony was as follows:
Q. What did he say on the 20th?
A. He ask me to be his wife.
Q. I am asking you to give his language. Now what did he say? Just repeat his language.
A. He wanted to know what about us getting married.
Q. Were those the words he used?
A. Yes, sir.
On the 4th of December, she alleges he asked her again and gives his exact words as follows.
Q. What did he say to you at that time - the exact words?
A. He ask me to be his wife and he would take me up home for a long year and get me a pair of rubber boots to wear out in the mud.
Mrs. Weihn followed, testifying that her daughter had informed her that the proposal had been made and that in anticipation of the even, she purchased a $10 feather bed, six quilts, valued at $6, $2 worth of glassware, two pillows for $4, a $5 bedstead and a $9 set of dishes.
J. W. Weihn and Jacob Weihn, brothers of the plaintiff and Jacob Kisbet followed and closed for the plaintiff. Lenhart Walters and Lewis Carey were examined for the defense and court adjourned. Walters denined ever proposing and contradicted all of Miss Weihn's statements. Carey's testimony was not of much importance. The defense will probably finish the examination of its witness this afternoon and the arguments will be heard tomorrow."
(Defiance Daily Express, October 30, 1888, p. 4)
The next day, October 31, 1888, the Defiance Daily Express printed the conclusion of this case.
"SHE RECEIVES DAMAGES.
The witnesses examined in the Weihn - Walters breach of promise suit yesterday were John Heirs, John Walters, the defendant's brother, Nicholas Walters, the father, and Jacob Stradeker.
John Walters testified that the plaintiff's brother came to his (Walter's) residence and asked why the defendant did not keep his promise. Walters told Mr. Weihn that if she was going to marry Lenhart, she was making a big mistake as he loved her more.
Mr. Newbegin opened the argument for the plaintiff. Mr. Coulter conducted the case for the defendant and Cameron closed for the plaintiff. The jury was out half an hour and returned a verdict of $150 damages for the plaintiff. A CRESCENT reporter this morning saw the ring which Walters gave Miss Weihn. It is a thin band of nickle worth probably a quarter."
No comments:
Post a Comment