Cooper's Clarksburg Register

IMPORTANT INSURANCE CASE.—Two years ago, the steam boiler in Taylor's machine shop, in Hague street, N. Y., exploded, blowing a large six story building to atoms, and killing about one hundred persons. Mr. Taylor was insured for some $20,000, but the Insurance Companies refused to pay, because they alleged that the property was destroyed by steam, and not by fire; and that it was the negligence of Taylor's engineer (who was killed) that caused the accident. Taylor sued the Insurance Companies, and one of the suits—that against the Kings County Mutual Insurance Company—was decided last week. The Court charged the Jury that the destruction of the property, in the manner alleged, did not change the liability of the Insurance Company. It is necessary (said the Judge) that the accident should have occurred from gross negligence and want of good faith on the part of the plaintiff, to vitiate the policy. The Jury found for the plaintiff, with interest on the amount since the accident occurred. It is to be hoped this decision will end all litigation on the subject.