IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES, NINTH CIRCUIT, NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA. SARAH MITCHELL, PLAINTIFF, VS. FREDERICK W. SHARON, DEFENDANT. REPLY BRIEF OF PLAINTIFF TO DEFENDANT'S BRIEF ON DEMURRER TO COMPLAINT.
[San Francisco: 1890s]. Original printed front wrapper with wrapper title, as issued. Disbound. 26pp. Later rubberstamped pagination from a larger series of documents on this case. Presentation inscription from Davis on front wrapper. About Very Good.
Sharon had accused Ms. Mitchell of making "blackmailing demands" for money from the vast Sharon estate; and that she had concocted a "blackmailing scheme" to do so. Frederick Sharon was Executor of the Estate of William Sharon, whose involvement with Sarah Hill had sparked the most notorious litigation in 19th century California.
Ms. Mitchell claimed that Sharon's statements constituted slander per se, i.e., that Sharon had accused her of committing the crime of blackmail. Sharon demurred, that is, he claimed that, even if Ms. Mitchell's version of the facts were true, they did not comprise the crime of blackmail. Despite her attorney's best efforts, the court ruled in Sharon's favor. 51 F. 424 [1892]. Affirming, the Circuit Court held, 15 C.C. 353, 357 [1894], "Upon the consideration of all of defendant's words, it is impossible to find in them the charge that the plaintiff has made a blackmailing demand upon the Sharon estate." Item #30587
Price: $275.00