Victorian Politics and History / Unmistakeable Evidence.jpg

UNMISTAKABLE EVIDENCE. – Not long since a steamboat, called the Old Kentuck, blew up near the Trinity, at the mouth of the Ohio, by which accident a lady rejoicing in the name of Mrs. Jones lost her husband and her trunk, and for both of which an action was brought. There was, strange to say, great difficulty in proving that Mr. Jones was in the boat at the time of the collapse, that worthy having been notoriously drunk on the wharf just as the steamer left Trinity. Many witnesses were examined to prove the fact; until finally Mr. Deitzmar, a German, was placed upon the stand. Our friend J. S. (says the American editor whom we quote,) was attorney for the boat, and elicited from Deitzmar this testimony:

“Mr. Deitzmar, did you know the Old Kentuck?” –
“Yah, I was blown up mit her.”
“Were you on board when she collapsed her flue?” –
“When she bust her biler I wash dare.” –
“Did you know Mr. Jones?” –
“To be shure; Mr. Jones and I took passenger togedder.” –
“”You did?” When did you last see Mr. Jones on board the boat?” –
“Well, I didn’t see Mr. Jones aboard de last time.”

J.S. fancied his case was safe, and, with a most triumphant glance at the jury, said –

“You did not? Well, Mr Deitzmar, when last did you see Mr. Jones?”
“Well, when de schmoke pipe and me was going up, we met Mr. Jones coming down!”

Victorian Politics and History/Unmistakeable Evidence.jpg