Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-09
Mrs. Kirby, tise Richmond Murieress-
An Interesting Case.

MI AhttEtntthk 0orts
The case of Mrs. Kirby, who has been be-
fore the court in Richmond on a writ of ha-
bods corpus, shows a disagreement among
doctors. DIR. Doye, the Jail Physician, tes-
tilted that she was decidedly non cOmpos men
tis, and thought she ought to be sent to a
lunatic asylum.
DIR. Trent deposed that he had been Mrs.
Kirby's family physician for several years |;
had examined her in Jail and believed her
70 be insane and that she ought to be sent
10 the lunatic asylum; he concurSed in all
the opinions expressed by DIR. Dove before
the commission Of the crime she was n
robust, bright-eyed woman, but had become
much emaciated since, and there was
marked change in her expression; he did
not think she had any idea ofwhere she was
at that moment.
At his first interview he was not able TO
obtain any coherent reply TO any question
her physical symptoms then and now were
indicative Of declining health, but thought
there was visible change for the wore
since then; she recognized him on his first
visit but has not known him since her
countenance bore vacant expression, indi-
catiye OF wandering mind he was not
EftaliN az ntA NNhulltOll, lTbiu dil
incident which occurred a month prior TO
the murder, when he perceived her in very
slovenly attire and with a peculiar express
sion on her face in the street he was so
struck that he inquired of mutual friend
IL she drank, and was told no, but the
strangeness Of the affair made deep inn
preston on his mind; ON one of his visits
prior 10 the shooting. the name Of a certain
woman being mentioned, excited her to such
a species of frensy that the Doctor hastened
to change the conversation.
Mrs. Collins testified that she had been
staying day and night. with the prisoner
since her arrest, and she was convinced Of
Mrs. KS insanity, from the many queer
things she said and did; she talked about
snakes and creeping things paid no atten-
ton 20 the presence Of her children; her APP
petite was variable, but she generally ate lit
tie, and they were compelled 10 feed her; she
at first thought Mr.. X. was in Norfolk, but
lately spoke Of him rarely; she could rarely
be induced to nurse her baby; had been in
bed most OF the time for the last two weeks,
but slept almost none, and was gradually
growing worse and weaker; witness had 10
place the babe of prisoner TO her breast and
then she would nurse il but a little while;
prisoner had TO be washed and dressed like
an infant
Miss Mary Collins corroborated the state
ment Of her mother.
DIR. Beall testified to visiting Mrs. X. once
al the Jail, but his examination was too cur
sory 20 enable him 20 form an opinion; he
thought her entirely incoherent, and saw no
evidence Of stimulation; he could perceive no
change in her physical condition since he
last saw her; he could not fully decide re-
garding her insanity.
Dr. Haxall had seen prisoner three times
In Jail; when he and DR.. Gallilard entered,
she started, and soon addressed him as Mrs
Hicks she gave no rational answers her
pulse and breathing were natural, and her
eyes also; her health seemed perfect and he
thought the case very suspicious; he could
no; positively assert she was not insane, but
appearances threw strong doubts over the
case; the approach Of insanity was generally
gradual, whereas in her case il was intsanta-
neous. Some medical authorities said il was
easy to simulate insanity. Mrs. Collins had
made statements about prisoners health
which were physically impossible. He be
lieved il case of feigned insanity. He was
prepared to find her Stimulating insanity, be-
cause he had heard that her friends would
put in that plea. He could not say posi-
lively that il was feigned, but he could not
discover anything irrecoEcilable with that
opinion. Had he seen her without motive
for a stimulation on her part, he should re
gard the case as one Of mental alienation; il
her physical condition were different he
should consider her suffering from hysteria.
He had reason to doubt the veracity OF Miss
Collins, who stated that Mrs. X. slept so lit
tie at night, Is he learned that witness fire.
qnenfly retired to rest having negro to