The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-06
A Mad Minister In Love-A Touching Case.
From the Chicago Times August 81

ness. It came up on the petition of Mr.. s. B. Cobb
for commission de hnafico fnquirendo, In the case
of the Rev. George d. Goss, Baptist minister and
formerly chaplain of the I'd Kentucky Volunteers, in
the campaign in Mexico. Mr.. Goss is fine appear
ing man, about IS years Of age. He graduated at
Georgetown, ky after winch ne resided ~ farls, N
On his return from Mexico he took up his residence
for time at Covington, on the Ohio river. de has
been in this city since the LIST OF January last and II
was since that time that his mind began TO lose its
balance. No prcdisposing cause Of insanity il |
known but it is said (aud Mr.. Goss tells version OF
the story hmsel that he had one or TWO love analrs
in Kentucky where the course OF true icve' IN c hs
cago. A great many men, like Mr.. Co.'S, have been
crazy in love- but in very few has insanity developed
itself in the same way, or operated SO powerfully
pom the amOrous prOpensites as II appears 10 nave
done in the case of THIS clerical Lothario
DR.. L. d. Boone was sworn, and stated that he had
known Mr.. Goss since some time last winter; he came
to his (witnesss) ofice on one occasion, and
desired private consultation; the request being
granted, Goss proceeded to make inquiries in
regard to Mrs. Matteson (relict Of the late
Joel Matteson, and proprietor of the Matteson
House, stating that he had partially formed
intention to marry her, and desired to obtain the
opinion Of third party in regard to the matter; he
appeared to be perfectly sane and sincere and went
about the matter as any prudent man would; the
first time witness suspected Goss to be out Of his
right mind, was when the latter, on one occasion,
came to witness, and declared that number OF per-
sons were watching him (Gossl for some purpose
which he suspected was not right that often when
he came out of his boarding house, he saw persons
standing on the opposite side of the street. looking
at him. and that at time they followed him to the
Post Office Dr. Boone told him was mere fancy, and
that ended it for the time this about the first
of April last; time subsequently, Goss called on
witness, and showed him letter which he had re-
ceived from the brother Of Mrs. Matteson, informing
him that his visits to that lady were disagreeabe to
her, and desiring him 10 discontinue them. Goss
declared his belief that the letter had been written
not by Mrs. MattesOn's desire but by her brother,
without her knowledge, and contrary to her senti
ments Of regard for him. He desired DR.. Boone to
see the lady and ascertain if such not the
Two or three days afterwards he called again on DR..
B. and renewed the request with such pertinacity
that the latter went to see Mrs. M. about it. She in
formed him that Goss had become excessively an
noyng by his persistent visits to her house; that he
had made proposal of marriage, which she had re-
jected and told him that his visits were not agreea
BILE; but continuing to CALL she had desired her
brother to write the letter in question. During the
Baptist anniversaries in May several ladies, sran-
gers to Mr.. Goss, complained that he came into the
pew with them, and was guilty of ungentlemanly
conduct in putting his limbs against themhis feet
upon theirs and using other rude famiarties.
Mr. Goss, who occupied seat at the end of the
judges table, here interrupted the witness, and said
the ladies were mistaken.
The witness proceeded. Some of the ladies COM
planned that Mr. Goss stared them mpudently in the
face, and put his arm behind them on the back OF
the pew, letting his hand rest over their shoulders
and npon their bosoms.
was only placed on the back of the pew, and when
the ladies leaned back, it came in contact with
them.
Question by iuror-Doctor, az medical man, ia
it your opinion that Mr.. Goss is insane
Witness replied he had not the least doubt OF his
insanity.
Mr.. Goss asked the witness, i" as medical man."
to explain what crazy man was. The doctor, he
said, might be medical man, and mayor; but
know nothngs got to be mayors and legislators some
times and unless the doctor would tell the jury what
a crazy man was, he thought his testimony was not
Wtness-Well, Mr.. Goss, will explain by giving
an illustration When man tells me he Is about to
be married. and goes so far as to purchase wedding
clothes, white gloves, and all the other etceteras
usual for such an occasion, when the lady he de-
clares is to be his wife has forbidden him her house
My day or two before, l think it some evidence
hat he Ia insane.
Mr. Goss denied that such was the case and made
very ingenious and amusing explanation Of his
bject in purchasing the clothes.
Mr.. g. B. Cobb was sworn He said the first time
] e heard about Mr.. Goss insanity he was spoken to
by Mrs. Matteson in regard to it. She said, when
Mr.. Goss first called on her she thought be was a
gentleman, and received him as such. When he
made proposition Of marriage she began to think
he was deranged. She told him che would not marry
i'm nor any one else and desired him to discontinue
! is visits. He replied he could not keep away
from her-he must visit her-and begged her
to receive him. He persisted in going to her
house-staid there till late Of nights, and at
length became 30 annoying by his behavior
that the police we're called in, and he was elected
from the house. The witness detailed some Of hi.
singular behavior. The most peculiar and striking
indication Of insanity was that Of touching every
| thing with his hand. He would walk about the
ROOM and touch with his hands feel every object,
all parts Of the wall, &C., and could not be induced
to leave the house 80 long as anything remained I'M
| touched.
| Mr.. Goss contradicted several statements Of the
witness particularly In regard to his staying late at
night He said he never stayed later than ten o'clock
huto md fbnu Mru I'm IN
| longer.
Mr.. Cobb--Mr. Goss don't you think yourself you
| are insanel
Mr.. Cobb-Do you know how far these eccentrici-
! ties may lead your
Mr.. Goss-I cannot tell, any more than you can
whether you will he crazy at five o'clock tonight
In reply to another question touching his insanity,
Mr.. Goss said Poets and enthusiasts are thought
| by some to be lunatcs; 80 ia any man who bends
| his mind wholly to one idea. understand some
thing of theology law and physics let one OF the jury
put question to me in any Of these sciences, and II
| don't answer him correctly he may pronounce me
| insane s.''.tt'.
MI Boone-Mr Goss, don't You believe all the
| men in this room are insane!
Mr.. Goss-I did think my friend DR.. Boone was
little insane on the temperance question, but find
| he is hardly insane enough.
Mr.. Goss acknowledged that he might be insane
in love, for, said he, love that woman (Mrs. Mat
| her yet"
| The jury retired to make up their verdict. As
soon they had left the room, Mr.. Goss ros and
commenced touching" commencing with the
books and papers on the Judges table, and going to
every object in the ROOM touching the hands arms
| and limbs of each one Of the spectators, and even
to the buttons on their garments. He conversed
pleasantly and nationally all the WHILE displaying an
unusual degree Of vii In many Of his replies to
| questions The proceeding was continued until the
jury returned when Mir. tIoss resumed his scat The
| verdict was handed to the clerk before the "ca" OF
the Jury; after calling the roll he proceeded TO read
| it, but had read but q few words when Mr.. Co.'s in
| tcrrrpted him.
Judge isn't /, usual TO ask the jury If they have
| agreed upon their verdictW
The inquiry was then made Of the jury who replied
afirmatively, and the clerk proceededto read, but
| was again interrupted. ~
aJudoo isn't uspa1 foy the iurv IN riac and far