Berndt Elizabeth01
Waupaca
Woman Awarded $3,500 in Breach of Promise Suit
(Stevens Point Journal)
Claiming that Arthur Lemke, a resident near Clintonville, failed to appear on three different days which they had set for their wedding, Mrs. Elizabeth Berndt of Clintonville, who brought suit against him for breach of promise, won a verdict of $3,500 damages against Lemke from a jury in circuit court here this morning. Judge Byron B. Park presided.
Though Mrs. Berndt was there and a jury was struck in the case, Lemke was not on hand nor was he represented by attorneys. The jury heard the plaintiff’s side, retired and returned with the $3,500 verdict. Lemke, though he was served with the summons and complaint in the action, failed to make any answer to it.
Had a Ring
In her complaint, Mrs. Berndt sued for $10,000. She said that in 1922, she received an engagement ring from Lemke, and that he agreed to marry her on Thanksgiving Day, 1922. She prepared food and clothing for the day, the complaint states, but Lemke failed to show up.
The first week of December following the broken tryst, the complaint continued, Lemke made peace with Mrs. Berndt and they set January 2, as the day the wedding should take place. January 2 came, but Lemke did not.
Again he returned and conciliation was effected. This time, April 2, was set for the wedding day. As on January 2, and the previous Thanksgiving, Mrs. Berndt said, the day rolled near, came and was gone, but without Lemke.
Took Ring Back
In September, 1924, Mrs. Berndt said, Lemke came to her and asked for the engagement ring, telling her he was going to have it reset. She gave him the ring, she said, but he never returned it.
Lemke said he was worth $3,500 when he made promises of marriage, the complaint set forth. In her complaint, Mrs. Berndt declares that she has told him since the broken wedding promise that she still is willing to marry him.
The
jury was composed of twelve men all residents of