| $25,000 DAMAGES ASKED IN SUITS In the other two cases, Parker is made defendant with Barker as plaintiff in one case, and mother, Mrs. Elma J. Barker, plaintiff in the othor, each plaintiff seeking $25,000 damages from Parker on the basis of his reply to the remark made by Barker. Parker is alleged to have used a three word epithet in referring to Barker which reflected on his maternal parentage. Barker seeks damages for the slander to himself, while his mother wants damages for the reflection on her. |
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Two Fires at L.L. Brookover Residence; Suits for Damages by Thos B Barker and his Mother v JW Parker
The West Virginian
Fairmont, West Virginia •
Wed, Sep 27, 1922 p1
CLIPPED BY
wetzupdoc • 09 February 2025
• $25,000 DAMAGES ASKED IN SUITS
Alleged Reflection on Maternal Parentage Basis for Two Suits.
MORGANTOWN, Sept. 27-Three suits for character, in each of which $25,000 damages are sought, were today filed in the Monongalia County Circult Court here as a result of an exchange of epithets following a $100 damage suit in a local magistrate's court.
In the first case, John W. Parker seeks $25,000 damages from Thomas B. Barker on the alleged statement made by Barker to Parker that "I'm much obliged for that damn lie you swore to in court to day."
In the other two cases, Parker is made defendant with Barker as plaintiff in one case, and mother, Mrs. Elma J. Barker, plaintiff in the othor, each plaintiff seeking $25,000 damages from Parker on the basis of his reply to the remark made by Barker. Parker is alleged to have used a three word epithet in referring to Barker which reflected on his maternal parentage. Barker seeks damages for the slander to himself, while his mother wants damages for the reflection on her.
The exchange of ephithets followed the damage suit in the magistrate's Court where Barker sought $100 damages from an Italian miner who was alleged to have cleared away a patch of ground and planted a garden on part of Barker's property. Parker was among the witnesses for the miner who testified that the clearing of the ground and the planting of the garden improved Barker's property rather than damaged it, and the magistrate's jury returned a verdict for the miner against Barker.
MYSTERY ABOUT EAST SIDE FIRE
Brookover Home Twice Visited by Flames Within Only a Few Hours.
Two fires of mysterious origin, one about 10 o'clock last night and the other at 4 o'clock this morning, practically destroyed the residence of L. L. Brookover in Vermont avenue. Mr. Brookover today was unable to place an estimate on the loss. The furniture, was insured and the house partially insured, he stated.
There was no person in the house when the fire started last night-at least the family had been away since early in the afternoon. A report that a window in the house was found open gave rise to the theory that it might have been of on incendiary origin. The house is also alleged to have been vacant when the second tire started.
The first fire was discovered, it is said, by L. L. Schooley, a neighbor near the Brookover home. He went to the home of T. D. Conneli, secretary of the Chamber of merce, whose lot adjoins the Brookover lot. Mr. Connell in an alarm to the East Side turned, station, and the company responded quickly, Chief O. J. Watkins going over from the central station.
The fire, it is thought, started in a wardrobe on the second floor bedroom.. By. midnight the fire had been extinguished, with little damage, except by chemicals and water, time save the one room. At that Connell, Schooley and the fire chief, it is said, made a complete inspection of the house, and it was their verdict that the fire was out.
L. L, Brookover, the owner, running on the Rivesville line of the M. P. & R. Co., returned home about that time. He and two nephews made an inspection of the house, then went for a bite to eat, and returned to the house. Mr. Brookover says that he remained at the house until about 3 o'clock this morning. At that time all was well, and he decided to go to Watson to get a machine and drive to Metz for his wife. After he got the machine, the lights failed to work and the trip was abandoned. He returned to his home to find it again visited by fire, and this time the inside entirely gutted? Firemen were still on the job when he arrived.
T. D. Connell says that the second have started about after Mr. Brookover is said to have 3:30 o'clock, or thirty minutes after Mr. Brookover is said to have left the house in good condition, as Mr. Connell was aroused by a neighbor at 3:45 this morning, and at that time the fire was "burning to beat the band," to use Mr. Connell's term.
Mr. Connell says that he and Mrs. Connell remained up until 1 o'clock this morning following the first fire, and then when they retired they took a final look at the Brookover house there was no indication of any trouble at that time. This, together with the fact that Brookover himself is alleged to have left the house at 3 o'clock, at which time there WAs no indication of fire, makes the second blaze one of the most peculiar In the history of local firemen.
The statement of the firemen that all evidences of fire was gone and that a thorough examination of the premises was made before they left at midnight is substantiated by Mr. Connell..
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