SHEBOYGAN PRESS September 22 1917 MISS FERGUSON SECURES VERDICT OF $600 IN CIRCUIT COURT AT HANDS OF JURY Miss Regina FERGUSON's suit against Mrs. Ella BURKE for slander resulted in the jury finding she was entitled to $500 actual damages and $100 punitory damages. The jury went out shortly after 5 o'clock last night in charge of Under Sheriff Fred A. BOLDT, concluded its deliberations at 10:40 o'clock last night and sealed its verdict, presenting the same in circuit court at 9 o'clock this morning. When Judge KIRWAN opened it he found that the seventh question of the eight which the jury was to answer was not answered. He had the jury retire and in about half an hour it was ready to report, but had to remain locked up until the attorneys in the case could appear. The jury found that Mrs. BURKE called Miss FERGUSON a German spy, and said to her: "We know what the FERGUSON's are. You are nobody. You are not decent. What did you go to Milwaukee for?" The finding was that the remarks were actuated by malice. The jury did not believe persons would consider the remark of "German spy" that Miss FERGUSON was guilty of treason and disloyalty to the United States. Argument to the jury and the judge's charge to the 12 men took up the entire afternoon, the jury retiring shortly after 5 o'clock in charge of Under Sheriff Fred A. BOLDT. The court submitted to the jury a list of questions bearing on the case which it was to answer "Yes" or "No" saying that if actual damages were allowed they would be for actual injury to the reputation and feelings of the plaintiff such as might fairly and reasonably compensate her for that injury, provided it was found her accusation was proved. The jury could, it was advised, award also punitive damages if its discretion directed, although it was not compelled to do so by the law. Such damages would be to punish the defendant for the words used and as a warning to deter others from making slanderous remarks (continued on page 5)