Aldrich et al. v. Dunham et al
Hinsdale and Dunham sued Aldrich, Medbury, and Smith for a debt on a book account in the Cook County Court of Common Pleas. The jury found for the Hinsdale and Dunham, and Aldrich et al appealed. The Supreme Court reversed the lower court's judgment due to an incorrectly given jury instruction that Aldrich had to pay interest from the start of the suit. The Court added that mere defense in a suit does not warrant interest.