Maturon D. Thomas lawsuit against Audubon County (1897)

THOMAS, HAMLIN, DAVIS

Posted By: Ken Akers (email)
Date: 6/26/2016 at 20:03:15

Audubon County Journal (IA)
Thursday, Apr. 8, 1897, pg. 3

Exira Department

M. D. Thomas presented a claim to
the Board of Supervisors Wednesday
amounting to $5,335 and the board
reacted the same. The origin of the
claim dates back to Oct. 20, 1896. The
evening of that day Mr. Thomas at-
tempted to run his traction engine
across the bridge that spans the Botna
river one mile southeast of Old Ham-
lin. The bridge was old and weak,
and, the supports giving way, the en-
gine was precipitated to the bed of the
river. Now Mr. Thomas asks the
county to pay him $335 for damage to
engine, etc., and also $5000 for damage
to his person, Mr. Thomas in jumping
from the falling engine fell and strain-
ed himself in such a manner as to pro-
duce rupture on his left side, disabling
him for life. We understand the
Board of Supervisors is willing to
allow Mr. Thomas a reasonable
amount but will vigorously object be-
fore paying the claim in full. It pays
the people to always have the county
bridges in No. 1 condition.

Note: Parents of Maturon D. "Mack" Thomas were Isaac M. Thomas and Mary Margaret Hamlin. He was married to Lucy Davis.