Smith v. Hawkins

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Johnston, C. J.:

This was an action by Elvira Smith against Dewey Hawkins for breach of a contract of marriage, aggravated by seduction previous to the appointed time for the marriage. She asked for damages in the sum of $200,000; $100,000 as actual damages and a like amount as punitive damages. The jury returned a verdict awarding her $75,000, but the court, upon a motion for a new trial, held the verdict to; be excessive and at first indicated that no more than $30,000 should be allowed, but finally determined and announced that the plaintiff had the…