Lytle Stetson Slander Suit01

WAUPACA REPUBLICAN

January 10, 1890

A DEFENSE

H.J. Stetson’s First Move to Defend Himself in the $25,000 Slander Suit

As the REPUBLICAN briefly stated last week that the rumors in the community, in regard to the alleged cause of the dismissal of a young lady clerk from her position, had resulted in a slander suit, Kitty Lytle vs. H.J. Stetson, alleging that he had said that the cause of her being relieved from duty at his store, was because of unlawfully taking goods, or something to that effect, the plaintiff claiming damages in the amount of $25,000 for alleged defamation of character; with the Stevens Point lawyers, Cate, Jones & Sanborn, as her attorneys.

Mr. Stetson retained C.W. Felker, of Oshkosh.

On Monday C.J. Vosburg, clerk at Stetson’s swore out a search warrant and placed it in Sheriff Williams’ hands, to look for certain goods alleged to have been taken from Mr. Stetson’s store, and bring said articles and the persons into whose custody they were found, before Judge Chesley on Tuesday afternoon. Certain bundles, articles and persons, and the plaintiff afore-said, were brought into Justice Chesley’s court. A.W. Sanborn of Stevens Point, appearing for Miss Lytle, F.C. Stewart of Oshkosh, for Mr. Stetson. No identification of the goods, or arrest of any party on charge of taking said goods, was made, nor were any witnesses sworn. The case was simply laid open, by consent of attorneys, until Saturday afternoon. The REPUBLICAN don’t know anything about the merits or demerits of the different phases of the cases. It is perfectly willing, now that it is in the hands of able attorneys to let them sift and settle it. The warm friendship always heretofore entertained by people toward all the parties concerned makes them deplore the unfortunate affair from first to last, but “let justice be done though the heavens fall,” an old adage that will apply to this case, is undoubtedly the determination of both plaintiff and defendant.

WAUPACA REPUBLICAN

February 21, 1890

STETSON-LYTLE

The Final Decree of Judge Chesley, and an Arrest of Kitty Lytle

Justice Chesley’s court was filled to overflowing on Saturday afternoon because it was supposed that something more could be heard in the search warrant proceedings. But the crowd of ladies and gentlemen were doomed to disappointment as far as exciting testimony or long winded arguments were concerned. District Attorney Hutchinson appeared for the state and Frank Stewart of Oshkosh, for Mr. Stetson. Mr. A.W. Sanborn was unable to be present. The Judge simply entered upon his docket that from the evidence taken on the search warrant proceedings it appeared that the goods had been stolen and he ordered that the goods be held in the custody of the sheriff to be used as evidence in any trial. Mr. Stetson swore out a warrant for the arrest of Miss Kitty Lytle for larceny of the goods in question and $10 in cash and she was brought into the courtroom, the charge read to her, and the case continued by consent until Friday, Feb. 21. Bail was fixed at $300 which was signed by Messrs. A. Custard and A.J. Van Epps. Miss Lytle will undoubtedly waive examination and tell her side of the story in the circuit court next June. The $25,000 slander suit against Mr. Stetson by Miss Lytle and the State of Wisconsin against Miss Lytle for larceny will constitute an exciting week in the term. The REPUBLICAN will venture no opinion on the subject and will leave the sensational and gush to the Oshkosh Northwestern and Chicago Tribune.