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Story
May 21, 1852
Lewistown Gazette
Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
A legal case between Wm. Muirhead and Wm. Kirkpatrick over a promissory note debt in Lancaster County illustrates the uncertainties of law through multiple trials from 1842 to 1850, with verdicts alternating and a fifth trial favoring the defendant.
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The Uncertainties of Law.
The "glorious uncertainty" connected with legal proceedings is well illustrated in the annexed paragraph, which we find among the records of Court Doings in Lancaster county:
"Wm. Muirhead vs. Wm. Kirkpatrick. Summons in debt on promissory note. This case was tried in the District Court of this county, in December, 1842, at which time a verdict was rendered for the defendant. It was then taken to the Supreme Court, and the judgement reversed and a venire de novo ordered. It was tried again in 1844, and verdict rendered for defendant. This judgement was reversed in May, 1846, by the Supreme Court. In 1848 it was again tried, and verdict rendered for defendant: a motion was made and a new trial granted. It was again tried in 1850, when a verdict was rendered for the plaintiff for $276 28. It was again carried to the Supreme Court, and the judgement reversed, and a venire de novo awarded--and now it comes here and is tried the fifth time. The Jury returned a verdict for the defendant!"
The "glorious uncertainty" connected with legal proceedings is well illustrated in the annexed paragraph, which we find among the records of Court Doings in Lancaster county:
"Wm. Muirhead vs. Wm. Kirkpatrick. Summons in debt on promissory note. This case was tried in the District Court of this county, in December, 1842, at which time a verdict was rendered for the defendant. It was then taken to the Supreme Court, and the judgement reversed and a venire de novo ordered. It was tried again in 1844, and verdict rendered for defendant. This judgement was reversed in May, 1846, by the Supreme Court. In 1848 it was again tried, and verdict rendered for defendant: a motion was made and a new trial granted. It was again tried in 1850, when a verdict was rendered for the plaintiff for $276 28. It was again carried to the Supreme Court, and the judgement reversed, and a venire de novo awarded--and now it comes here and is tried the fifth time. The Jury returned a verdict for the defendant!"
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Justice
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Legal Uncertainty
Prolonged Trial
Debt Case
Court Reversals
Promissory Note
What entities or persons were involved?
Wm. Muirhead
Wm. Kirkpatrick
Where did it happen?
Lancaster County
Story Details
Key Persons
Wm. Muirhead
Wm. Kirkpatrick
Location
Lancaster County
Event Date
1842 1850
Story Details
Debt case on promissory note tried five times with alternating verdicts, ultimately favoring defendant after multiple appeals and reversals.