Daugherty Gause asks the court to require R. W. Bullard and Thomas W. Collins to compensate him for the loss of a male slave named Hyman. On 13 January 1859, Gause purchased the twenty-two year old slave from Bullard for $1,600. The slave was guaranteed to be free from “all the Redhibitory, vices, maladies and defects prescribed by law.” Gause soon discovered that Hyman was “utterly unsound in his mouth and Teeth from Scurvy salivation.” Four of Hyman’s front teeth “were entirely destroyed and gone and many of the others so shuttered and unsound to be comparatively useless.” This had been “cunningly and artfully concealed by the insertion of artificial or false teeth placed upon wooden pivots.” Ten days after the purchase, Hyman took ill with “Pulmonica” and soon died despite a physician’s attention. Gause charges that the defendants knew that the slave was diseased and should therefore be held responsible for the bills incurred on his behalf, including fees for transportation, medical attention, and burial.
Result: Partially granted.
Or you may view all people.
Repository: University of New Orleans
