Description
Settle Duncan Suit - Amount Given Aged Negro Woman Not Announced - Under Agreement Filed Today at Maysville, Each Side will Pay Its Own Expenses - Once Got $24,000 Verdict - - MAYSVILLE, Mo., April 19. - The litigation growing out of the claim for $80,000 of Sarah Duncan, aged Negro woman, against the estate of the late Henry Clay Duncan, ended here today. A stipulation was filed in circuit court here before Judge Guy B. Park of Platte City, in which it was stated that the suit had been compromised.
The amount of the settlement was not stated in the stipulation, and attorneys refused to name the amount. It was understood however, that the amount was much less than $24,000 once awarded the Negro woman by a jury. Judge Park set aside the verdict for $24,000 and ordered a new trial. The suit, which created much interest in northwest Missouri, had been in the courts for about 2 years.
Sarah Duncan had been a servant in the Duncan home for many years, and filed the suit as a claim for wages due her. She alleged that she had received little money for her work.
Henry Clay Duncan was a large land owner and cattle breeder. He also was president of the Bank of Osborn at Osborn Missouri. Mrs. Elizabeth Duncan is executrix of the estate, and she was named defendant in the action. Under the agreement filed today each side agreed to pay Its own expenses.Date(s) of Creation
4/19/1928
