Hanaw v. Jackson Patriot Co.

Plaintiff appeals from a judgment of not guilty, rendered in an action brought by him for libel against the defendant, the publisher of the Jackson Patriot.

The publications complained of grew out of a transaction between the plaintiff and one Stillwell, the traveling agent of a Chicago house, from whom the plaintiff had previously bought some varnish. Being asked to pay for the same, a difficulty arose between himself and Stillwell, which was followed, later in the day, by an assault upon Still-*507well by the plaintiff upon the street. The court instructed the jury that—

“ The various…