Litchfield enquirer., 1858-12-02
STATE vs. E. L. HoUGHToN.

keeping 1alSe and fraudulent books, making false entries &c, was set down for trial on Saturday morning at 10 O clock before Justice Adams Shcr if Wessels in returning the process, stated that the prisoner not in condition to bring before the court and his counsel, H. B. Graves, being absent
 the counsel fer the State, J. H. Hubbard and E. w. Seymour, introduced the testimony of the seve- ral physicians of the town who had seen him, and thereupon asked the advice of the Court in the pre-
 mises The following is the testimony in substance:
 D.. H. W. Basl-I saw Mir. Houghton this morn ing, for the first time found him in highly ex- cited state, arising from great mental excitement - a state that requires, for his good, that he should be kept quiet for time have seen him but once he is in no condition to appear in Court con- si!er him in critical condition is of feeble cons tuition excitement may throw him into violent paroxysms of insanity. or exhaust hin-he is on the borders of insanity, in very great state of nervous excit ment; he was up when saw him. 1 under stand that he slept last night little yester- day. I would take out under such circuln. stances; it would be running great risk.
 Dr. J c. BeckwM.-Mr. Houghton was taken with symptoms of insanity some three weeks since. have been with him mostly since that time be has had some fever generally his pulse only 40 or 50 he was getting better until last Sunday. He is naturally feeble inherts predisposion to insanity he has large ulcer of his limbs; his head generally affected but at times rational most of the time he is either much depressed highly excited this morning he is excitable; he has fever come on about 10 o'clock, and lasts about an hour he
 was not well when brought here; has not think,
 been out since the 2d or Sd of November My i'm precision has been that he would get better he may
 become insane. and nay die in enc of his parcx- ysms he ought to be kept quiet and away from ex- citemcnt, he takes very little stimulant.
 1 Dr. Bosrck. Saw Mir. Hnughtcn yesterday | found him highly excited. and at times furious
 wanted to get his hat and go up town required re-
 straint to keep him in the house. He knew me part of the time and part of the time did not His pulse irregular do not consider him in state to be taken out doors. His sickness arises partly from his physi cal and partly from his mental condition ; was in l my judgment, absolutely insane when I saw him. do not think it was fcgned The family seemed anxious to have the matter as soon as possible would not take the responsibility of bringing him out.
 i Clqr7es Frsher.-Have been with Honghton twenty two nights day hefnrc yesterday he was thoroughly drranged and day before that this morning more quiet; has turns of derangement he has been sick most of the time, since have been with him , has some levers. never him take stimnlants eat little yesterday for last week have heard but little from him ni@hts-he talks some; Wednesday mnnh excited because Mir Graves was not here said he l end of the trial, &c. he enquired for Nr. Graves this morning.
 Dr. Srnaour. Have not seen Mr. Houghton for i several days saw him during Dr. Beckwith's ab- scnce much depressed cannot say it was mental derangement, but approaches to it. It would have had very injurious effect to have had him brought out when saw him from the testimony I should indee he ought not to he brought ont The last time saw him thought his favorable for re covery if net nnAer too much excitement
 Dr. Le,ris--Saw Mir Honghton yesterday with D,s. Bostwick and Beckwith I agree with Dr. Rostwicll in his statement. I noticed that the pupil of Mir Honghton's eve was much enlarged a thing he could not have fcicned think he was without dor't insane and in condition to he tried saw nothing assumed; thought yesterday he might run down: evlence of stmnlants. r. " HeserNs T have the prisoner in keep ing have visited him often once day for past week he is in low state; should be un- willing of taking the responsibility of bringing him out without silcl directions: he and his wife are nxious to have the examination He would want it to-day if he in situation to undergo it he was in his right mind when first saw him this morning hut went off soon he sick on the way from New York pretty we'll for two or three days after he got here and then three weeks not ont os his room I wish to be rVeved of my respons;- biIty if could
 Upon the foregoing testimony it was advised by the court that the prisoner be retained in the charge of the sheriff and that he should apprise the Grand Juror when trial can properly be had without sub- stantial dctriment to the prisoners health.