Catharine Brown, Plaintiff's Prayers

A brief description of the judgement Catherine Brown hoped for as the jury decided her case.

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In the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia this 4th day of March, 1868 Catharine Brown
Vs
The Washington, Alexandria and Georgetown Railroad Company
At Law No. 4582 Plaintiff's Prayers for Instructions

1 If the jury find from the evidence that the plaintiff purchased a ticket over the road of the defendant from Washington to Alexandria and to return to Washington, and that while peaceably on, or about to enter, the car of said road under said contract she was expelled therefrom by the agent or employee of the defendant she is entitled to recover the damages which resulted therefrom.

2 If the jury find for the plaintiff they will find a sufficient amount to compensate her for all her injuries by reason of her expulsion, including loss of time, pain of body and mind, expenses of employing an physician, nursing and attendance.

3 [Ed. note - incomplete, page has been trimmed] punishment to the defendant and to restrain it from a repetition of such offence. [Ed. note - in a different hand] Rejected.

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4. In this case the jury may also take into consideration, in estimating the damages of the plaintiff, the violence used against her by the servants or employees of the defendant, the wantonness of the language by which said violence was accompanied, its public nature, the indignity offered thereby to her person and feelings, together with all the attending circumstances of the occurrence, and allow the plaintiff what they shall consider proper arising out of these considerations and circumstances, in addition to the actual damages. [Ed. note - in a different hand] Rejected.

5. The jury may also give exculpatory damages, as a punishment to the defendant and to restrain it from a repetition of such offence. [Ed. note - in a different hand] Rejected.

About this Document

  • Publisher: National Archives and Records Administration
  • Date: March 4, 1868