Skaggs v. Johnson
Supreme Court of Arkansas
Appeal from Clay Circuit Court, Eastern District; W. J. Driver, Judge; STATEMENT BY THE COURT. Appellee brought suit against appellant for damages for the publication of an alleged libel, as follows: “But Mr. Johnson’s memory is very bad in some respects. “W. H. Johnson, in his communication published in The Soliphone, denies that he told certain parties that he was taking the census in May in order to get the names of those who were moving away.
Read the full summary
Appeal from Clay Circuit Court, Eastern District; W. J. Driver, Judge; STATEMENT BY THE COURT. Appellee brought suit against appellant for damages for the publication of an alleged libel, as follows: “But Mr. Johnson’s memory is very bad in some respects. “W. H. Johnson, in his communication published in The Soliphone, denies that he told certain parties that he was taking the census in May in order to get the names of those who were moving away. Whenever it is legally necessary, we will prove that Mr. Johnson’s memory on this point is poor; that, when asked why he was taking the census so…
1Opinion of the Court
Kirby, J.,
(after stating the facts). It is no longer questioned that, in ascertaining the meaning of words written to determine whether or not they are libelous, the entire article must be construed. Miller v. State, 81 Ark. 363. It is also true, the rule now is that the words used are to be taken in their plain and natural meaning and understood by courts and juries in their ordinary acceptation as other people would understand them and according to the sense in which they appear to have been used and the ideas they are adapted to convey to those who heard or read them. Jackson v. Williams,…
2Cited by6 opinions
- Wasp Oil, Inc. v. Arkansas Oil & Gas, Inc.Supreme Court of Arkansas · 1983
- Honea v. KingSupreme Court of Arkansas · 1922
- Lloyd v. Gerber Products CompanyDistrict Court, W.D. Arkansas · 1966
- Pigg v. Ashley County Newspaper, Inc.Supreme Court of Arkansas · 1973
- Watts v. Commercial Printing Co.Supreme Court of Arkansas · 1928
1 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.