Mr. D. H. Conyngham & Mr. Ed Klonus-1875

KLONUS, CONYNGHAM

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 9/21/2019 at 00:49:36

Dubuque Daily Times, Saturday, Apr 17, 1875, Dubuque, IA, Page: 1

ANOTHER SUIT FOR DAMAGES
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Good Prospect for a Water Haul

Yesterday Mr. D. H. Conyngham, of this city, was served with a notice that suit has been instituted against him by the wife of one Mr. Ed Klonus, whereas damages were claimed in the modest sum of $5,000. The gravamen of this case is, as alleged by the plaintiff, that defendant sold to her husband a quantity of liquor, in the use of which he was brought to a condition of intoxication, to her great damage, to wit: the sum of $5,000 and her just and lawful costs.

Now there is a bit of history in this matter which will bear looking at with candid and unprejudiced eyes. We have not the least desire or purpose to prejudge the case, - not to prejudice the public mind pro or con as its merits.

But still there are still certain facts about it that is proper to go to the public, and when they are dispassionately considered by fair minds, no difficulty will be experienced in reaching a conclusion as to the real merit of the issue.

In December last, Ed Klonus, being a poor man, and as he said, out of work, had applied to Mr. Conyngham for a small quantity of liquor in which to stock a saloon down in the first ward. He had no money to pay for them, nor had he any security to put up in pledge. He was furnished the liquor on personal credit, and with them and other articles he started his saloon. From that hour forward he has neither paid a farthing or been asked to pay for the liquor. It is said that the proceeds of this very liquor in part compromised the means of live hood for his family, his wife sharing them as with as decided a relish as if they were earned by the sweat of their brows. So far as we have heard it is one of those most new-fangled a ”contingent” cases, the defendant being a man of wealth and very large business, he will make a good mine for an attorneys drift. We doubt if there is a candid mind in Iowa that will justify this proceeding, the purpose of which, in view of all the circumstances, many of which we do not care to print, can hardly be misunderstood.