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Story
November 1, 1898
The Providence News
Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
In 1895, Minnie Parmenter was injured in her right eye by a stone chip from stonecutter Rouse B. Chace's work on a Providence sidewalk without precautions. She sued for negligence and won $1000 in damages in court.
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JURY'S AWARD WAS $1000.
Miss Parmenter Given Damages For Injury to Her Eye.
STRUCK BY A CHIP OF STONE.
Chace, a Stonecutter, Held to Have Been Responsible For the Mishap.
LET CHIPS FLY FROM HIS CHISEL.
Was at Work On Weybosset Street Sidewalk and Failed to Take Necessary Precaution to Protect Pedestrians From Injury.
Minnie Parmenter was given a verdict by a jury in Judge Douglas' court for $1000, in the suit brought by her against Rouse B. Chace to recover $5000 for injuries to her right eye, alleged to be due to the carelessness of Chace. Miss Parmenter on the 14th of June, 1895, was going along the sidewalk in front of the Barstow block, on Weybosset street, where the defendant was chipping the stone sidewalk. A chip struck her square in the glass she was wearing on her eye and slipped around, striking the optic nerve and paralyzing it.
It is claimed that the defendant was negligent in having no obstruction or sign near where he was working. The plaintiff claims to have suffered extreme agony for five weeks and to have lost the sight of the injured eye. She was taken into a nearby drug store right after the accident.
Miss Parmenter, on cross-examination, said that two chips of the stone struck her in the same eye and that her eyes were never in better condition than they were the morning the accident happened, though she admitted her eyes had been in a weak condition.
She heard a lot of noise on the street just before the accident, but saw no one chipping stone.
William B. Parmenter testified that after the accident he saw Chace, the defendant, and he admitted having just finished the job when the accident occurred.
The defendant did not appear in court but he was represented by Attorney B. L. Dennis, who cross-examined the plaintiff and her witnesses, and addressed the jury on the question of whether or not the plaintiff had exercised due care in going along the sidewalk, as she did, taking into account the fact that a man chipping stone would make a good deal of noise. Franklin P. Owen was counsel for the plaintiff.
Miss Parmenter Given Damages For Injury to Her Eye.
STRUCK BY A CHIP OF STONE.
Chace, a Stonecutter, Held to Have Been Responsible For the Mishap.
LET CHIPS FLY FROM HIS CHISEL.
Was at Work On Weybosset Street Sidewalk and Failed to Take Necessary Precaution to Protect Pedestrians From Injury.
Minnie Parmenter was given a verdict by a jury in Judge Douglas' court for $1000, in the suit brought by her against Rouse B. Chace to recover $5000 for injuries to her right eye, alleged to be due to the carelessness of Chace. Miss Parmenter on the 14th of June, 1895, was going along the sidewalk in front of the Barstow block, on Weybosset street, where the defendant was chipping the stone sidewalk. A chip struck her square in the glass she was wearing on her eye and slipped around, striking the optic nerve and paralyzing it.
It is claimed that the defendant was negligent in having no obstruction or sign near where he was working. The plaintiff claims to have suffered extreme agony for five weeks and to have lost the sight of the injured eye. She was taken into a nearby drug store right after the accident.
Miss Parmenter, on cross-examination, said that two chips of the stone struck her in the same eye and that her eyes were never in better condition than they were the morning the accident happened, though she admitted her eyes had been in a weak condition.
She heard a lot of noise on the street just before the accident, but saw no one chipping stone.
William B. Parmenter testified that after the accident he saw Chace, the defendant, and he admitted having just finished the job when the accident occurred.
The defendant did not appear in court but he was represented by Attorney B. L. Dennis, who cross-examined the plaintiff and her witnesses, and addressed the jury on the question of whether or not the plaintiff had exercised due care in going along the sidewalk, as she did, taking into account the fact that a man chipping stone would make a good deal of noise. Franklin P. Owen was counsel for the plaintiff.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Personal Triumph
Medical Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Justice
Misfortune
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Eye Injury
Stone Chip Accident
Negligence Lawsuit
Court Verdict
Damages Award
What entities or persons were involved?
Minnie Parmenter
Rouse B. Chace
William B. Parmenter
Judge Douglas
B. L. Dennis
Franklin P. Owen
Where did it happen?
Weybosset Street, In Front Of The Barstow Block
Story Details
Key Persons
Minnie Parmenter
Rouse B. Chace
William B. Parmenter
Judge Douglas
B. L. Dennis
Franklin P. Owen
Location
Weybosset Street, In Front Of The Barstow Block
Event Date
June 14, 1895
Story Details
Minnie Parmenter was struck in the eye by a stone chip while walking on Weybosset street where Rouse B. Chace was chipping stone without precautions, leading to paralysis of the optic nerve; she sued for $5000, claiming negligence, and won a $1000 verdict.