The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-02-23
A THRILLING SCENE.
A Man BECOMES Insane while Testifying in n
Court.

From ns Chmtcohe (0hfo) R,ofaer. Fec. n.
One Of the most exciting and startling scenes
that occurred In court at this city took place
late in the afternoon oil yesterday week, just as We
were going TO press. The particulars are about as
follows:
AZ the time mentioned the case in progress was
that OF Catharine Millcr, who sued by her next
friend C. ". Gilmore, AIT. John =. Mace and others
the suit being brought TO recover household goods
levied upon as belonging TO Thomas Miller, Mrs
MIXERS husband, and which the plaintih claims as
hers.
day, and Subjected TO rigid cxrmination, In the
course Of which I've testified, in effect, that he was
not possessed Of property AZ the time Of or since
his marriage; that tie capital and property used by
him was his wites.
On Friday afernoon Mr.. ". was again called to
tho stand TO undergo cross-ey amieaton by N. Il.
Clark, ESQ., IN the course Of which the latter gen
tleman, IN endcayorng to show discrepancy be-
tween Mr. Nicr's present statements and those
time since, asked II he had not, several years
ago, stated TO Mr.. w. II. Reed that he was then
worth quite q large sum Of money. The answer to
not have so stated, hut II he did the meaning vas
that lac was worth said sum outside his Indebtedness
90 his family. Mr.. Clark thcn asked IT, since his
marriage no mad not become surety on the bond OF n
certain Government Official Amer little hesitancy
an Affirmative answer WAS given, whcrcupon counsel
wished TO know II the witness did not at that time
swear that he was worth $4,000.
10 TINS query no reply was made, and FOR few
nally, Mr.. Miuslall, Of counsel for the plaintiff.
broke the oppressive silence b. rising 70 address The
Court, aud At that moment MIR. Miller who was
standing Just IN frort OF tue jury room door,
turned TO The judge and said. May It pleas our
| Honor, Nlsh 70 make a few remarks and imme-
diate.y after elasped bis hands ms heart and ex
| claimed, 81 iecl-ai III was gettng-paTaNsis OF
| the brain r. and commences sinking to the floor
utterng such prayerful CALCULATIONS Lord, have
mercy ON my SOUL o Lord. bless me and pardon
| my srs ~ Sc, or words TO that eject.
Before reaching the floor he was caught IN thu
arms OF persons near by and carried back into the
Jury room On reaching there, he espied a gentle
| man approaching him Who he said had cnlcgvUred
| TO ruin hin, and he made an effort to &c; hold Of
the person, but Was prevented.
The excitement IH me court room No this time was
intense, every one starting to their feet 20 get
view the sr1t 20 aud its author In auot
moment, however. Mr.. Miller. having broken loos
from those hly.I- him Ia Charge IA the jury room,
undisln suishabe muttciiags, rushed, with long
strides into the curt ROOM pressing his elbows TO
his sides, aui puning the wind In gusts from his
mouth This sudden and terrifying Eruption, as
| general stampede ensced. Noither the lawyers
nor the lIcncC stood upon Tho order of their 60.
| ing, but went at oncr.
Aner getting out To- point in front OF the judge,
aided, carried him into tie clerks Office, and from
| thence had Aim conveyed 10 his hotel.
This sudden removal Of the witness and the dis
turbed condition IN which IL left the nerves Of the
| bench and bar, made adjournment necessary,
which was had.
We have not attempted to depict the absolute
frlghtiuncss of the sVcne. as that would be impos
siDe. Those present have desire TO see an
other Ike g. In MI his az the bar and the
bench. Judge Dickey AYERS that lac never behed any
thing equal tor,
Its thought tic strain to which Mr.. Miller's mind
had been put during the preceding dny or two, and
| the excitement consequent thereupon, tended to q
temporary unsetuemcnt Of his reason, resulting as
above.
lie was confined to his bed several days after tn,
attack.