NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO
May/June 1859
From The Missouri Democrat, Friday, June 3, 1859.
COURT REPORTS.
Carzstang vs. Shaw
The Great Breach of Promise Case.
Conclusion of the Trial.
VERDICT OF THE JURY.
DAMAGES ASSESSED AGAINST HENRY SHAW, ESQ
AT ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
Applause of the Crowd in the Rotunda.
ST. LOUIS COURT OF COMMON PLEAS – BEFORE HON.
JUDGE REBER.
SEVENTH DAY.
Yesterday morning a larger crowd than ever collected in the Rotunda long before the opening of Court. When the doors were opened the scenes of the past few days were renewed, and the room was speedily crammed full of human beings. Hundreds unable to obtain admittance were obliged to leave.
At a quarter before eleven, Judge Bates commenced his concluding remarks for the defence, and finished at a quarter past twelve.
Major Wright then summed up the case in a speech of two hours and three quarters in length, which is universally pronounced as one of the most effective and eloquent speeches ever made by the distinguished advocate. At its conclusion the court room resounded with the applause of the vast crowd by stamping of feet and clapping of hands.
The applause continuing for some time, Judge Reber ordered the Deputy Sheriff to arrest all who he might see creating the least disturbance. This had the effect of immediately restoring order. The Jury then retired to an apartment situated on the southwest corner of the court room. The latter was then cleared and the Jury allowed to use it undisturbed.
The crowd remained in the rotunda until the formal rendering of the verdict, to agree to which the Jury did not require more than ten minutes, but the Judge being absent, some delay occurred in consequence.
At four o’clock, Judge Reber returned, and the doors were at once thrown open. Upon the Judge taking his seat, the Clerk read the paper which had been handed him by the Foreman, which was as follows:
Henry Shaw, debtor to Effie Carztang. We, the jury, find for the plaintiff, and assess the damages at $100,000.
Clerk-Gentlemen of the jury, so say you all?
Each juror nodded assent.
The crowd at this made a general rush for the door, and upon reaching the rotunda, indulged in a general hurrah and shout, which gave undoubted indications of approbation.
From The Missouri Democrat, Friday, Wednesday, June 29, 1859.
The Great Breach of Promise Case, Carztang versus Shaw-The Verdict Set Aside.
Yesterday the motion for a new trial in this case was argued before Judge Reber, of the Court of Common Pleas, by Messrs. Shepley & Wright. The Court granted the motion, on the grounds of the publication of a letter, written by Miss Carztang to Mr. Shaw, in the newspapers, before the submission of the case to the jury. The letter was first published in the Sunday Republican, and was probably furnished by one of the counsel for the plaintiff.
