Case of the faulty bracelet watch

Our work-study student, Kate, made an interesting discovery while processing some Cass County Civil Court Case files.  While unfolding case number 588-21968, entitled Isadore Horwitz vs. Mrs. J. I Harrington; an envelope, marked “evidence”, was discovered in the file.  Inside this envelope was a small bracelet watch.

According to the case file, Mrs. Harrington, purchased the watch valued at $18.50 from Mr. Horwitz, at his place of business, The Crescent Jewelry Company, in Fargo.  At the time of purchase, they set up a payment contract, in which Mrs. Harrington would put down $10, and pay $1 a month until the watch was paid off.  According to Mr. Horwitz, she had only made two payments, and had defaulted on the on the rest.  Mrs. Harrington claimed that the watch was faulty, and didn’t keep time.  She had brought it to Mr. Horwitz twice for repairs.  She claimed that his repairs had not improved the condition of the watch, and that it was totally unfit as a timepiece and useless to her.

On September 21, 1925, the case was brought before Judge A. T. Cole, who found in favor of Mrs. Harrington.  Mr. Horwitz was ordered to refund Mrs. Harrington, the amount of $27.36, including interest and fees.  Mr. Horwitz appealed the decision.  Apparently the lawyers for the parties were able to come up with an agreement, and the case was finely dismissed on March 9, 1926.  Mrs. Harrington had brought the watch with her at the time of the trial, and left it with the court.  The watch appears to have remained with the file, sealed in and envelop until today.  The watch will now become part of the Institute for Regional Studies Artifact Collection.