THE SHELBYVILLE VOLUNTEER
Thursday, January 3, 1878
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Elkins vs. the City --- The Verdict.
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Circuit Court spent the 1st day of January grapping with the case of Elkins against the City of Shelbyville, for damages for false imprisonment. A large number of persons, including the city officials, were examined as to the accomodations for guests afforded at the calaboose. It was pretty well established, we believe, that they are hardly equal to those offered at the Grand Hotel. On the contrary, several parties who had been rendered familiar with the City Prison by incarcerations there in the past, testified that it was a filthy place, filled with vermin and "all uncleaness," not fit for a hog to lie in.
This case, which many treated at first as a burlesque, assumed a serious aspect towards the close. Judge Hord charged the jury in a way to impress it upon their minds as a case of great importance. They retired to their room at an early hour, yesterday evening and remained out all night. At 9 o'clock yesterday morning, the verdict was brought into court, and unsealed to an expectant public. The jury found for Addison M. Elkins, and assessed his damages at five dollars. It is understood that nine were in favor of allowing five hundred dollars, but the other three held out resolutely against the plaintiff, and so the verdict was the effect of a "compromise" between the conflicting opinions.
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