Jury finds for Defendants in Hepworth Case.

Mary (middle - in front of house) I'm guessing it is Lide (Eliza)
then Francis Amelia Hepworth Nutt holding child.

     Finally, FINALLY  I found the newspaper article that tells the outcome of the $20,000 law suit Mary filed on the death of her beloved husband Thomas.  And, I have been sent (via e-mail attachments) documents filed on the case by Alan the present owner of the Hepworth House.  Thank You Alan.   However, I need to make a correction.  Mary filed the suit against the Lambert Paper Company on 27 September 1895.  That would make it  three months after Thomas fell down the elevator shaft.
He was there to make a purchase for his business of Tho. Hepworth & Son's Family Butchers.  
      At least two of Thomas's and Mary's children were living in the house at the time of his death and I suspect more, probably a married daughter and husband with young children. 
    What a disappointment to  read that the outcome was not in Mary's favor.   I'm guessing that the picture above was taken about the time of the trial. (No leaves on the trees, It just looks like winter is setting in.)   It would be Thanksgiving time a time for joy and celebration and Mary looks tired and worn out and  not feeling joyful. What a Thanksgiving - The trial by jury was selected on 24 November 1897, Thanksgiving was the next day - 25th- and the verdict came on the 29 November 1897.

The Daily Tribune: Salt Lake City Utah 30 November 1897.

VERDICT IN DAMAGE SUIT 
Jury finds for Defendants in 
                          Hepworth Case

The $20,000 damage suit of Mary Hepworth against George C. Lambert et al:  reached
the Jury in Judge Cherry's court yesterday morning and a verdict was returned in favor of the defendants.  Mrs. Hepworth sued to recover the amount demanded for the death of her husband who fell down a elevator shaft in the defendants place of business and killed. 


     Mary  had to pay for the court costs .  How could the responsibility not lie with the Paper Company?  Makes a person shake their head and wonder?
  Mary continued living in her house until 1904 when she moved to California to live with her daughter Jennie (Jane Elizabeth) and her husband Fremont Cobb.  Her daughter Eliza who didn't marry until very late in life was also living with Jennie and Fremont.  Mary's health was failing and she died about a year later on 23 June 1905 in California.  She was buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.  In 1906 the family sold the house.

Renée