Shoaff v. Funk

In deciding this case the Appellate Court delivered the following opinion:

“Appellee brought this suit in the circuit court of Vermilion county against appellant, charging him with slander. The slanderous charges were, that on April 1, 1897, appellant said of and concerning appellee, that ‘he (appellee) was a damned thief and he (appellant) could prove it, and he (appellant) would have him (appellee) in the penitentiary.’ ‘You (appellee) are a damned thief.’ ‘You (appellee) are a damned thief and I (appellant) can prove it.’ ‘You (appellee) are a thief and ought to be in the penitentiary.’…