The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-19
THE CRIYTENDEN TRAGEDY.
~~>~~~~~~~~~~~>~~~~~~
More Medical Expeditions of Men.
tai arrangements.
Was the Prisoner Mad When She
Did the Deed?
ANOTHER BATCH OF GUSHING LETTERS.
-~,~>~o-~~~~~~~>~~>~~>~~~
Rare Samples of Amatory Missives from
the Sappho Of the Pacific Slope.
Mrs. Fair POurs Out Her Soul
i'm Epistles.
Cupid and Cupidity Curiously
Comrnixed.
ANOTHER BATCH OF GUSHING LETTERS.
Rare Samples Of Amatory Missives from
the Sappho Of the Pacific Slope.
Mrs. Fair POurs Out Her Soul
i'm Epistles.
Cupid and Cupidity Curiously
Commixed.
SAN Francisco. April IL, 1871.

The thirteenth day of the famous Fair Crittenden
trial shows no abatement In interest. The court
room was densely packed and the developments
highly entertaining Mrs, Fair was put on the stand
once more, aud gave some testimony to her 1nan.
cial affairs, operations with leading bankers OF Cali
fornia and New York ana the connection Herewith
Of 'her husband in the sight OF Cod" the departed
Crittenden.
The medical branch Of the investigation took up a
large portion OF the day. number OF professional
experts. men Of extensive practice and much emil
hence In their calling, produced on the stand
Testimony was gwen by Drs. Trask, ]. G. Tucker,
Charles T. Deane and b. ]. Fargeaud. They were
examined directly with great skill by the counsel
for the defence and cross-examned with equal in
genuiry ana perseverance by the lawyers acting IN
behalf Of the people for the prosecution.
In the outset 1t was endeavored to be proven-for
the defence-tlat Mrs. Fairs brain was morbidly
affected by the reflected influences OF disease OF the
womb and irregularities In the functional action Of
that organ.
DR.. Trask said he made an examination Of the
womb OF the prisoner since the commencement Of
the trial. He found displacement Of the organ
antrovers1on-also a prOlapsus, indurahon OF the
mouth and neck, and that very possibly but ne
would not say positively, nnexion per Sc Of the
body. He was Of the opinion that these appear
auces were chronic, but could not say for how
long period at a time. The prisoner was also
subject 10 q painful action Of the womb
monthly. Patients present manalcal symptoms
during both the chronic and periodical attacks.
Hysterical attacks produce alteration OF mind
no matter how temporary its continuance may be
from such cause. The system becomes impover.
ished through the blood, which is made unhealthy,
and this impoverlshment reacts on the BRAIN which
cannot derive proper subsistence. Mrs. Fairs sys-
TEN was in this condition since the Sd OF November
1870. She was, consequently obliged to have stimu
lants administered to her In heavy doses. These
doses have had to be increased since the commence
ment OF the trial. The mind could not be free from
disturbance during the existence Of the physical
malades alone. The prisoner had already threat
ened the life OF her own mother during of these
attacks. She had declared since being in prison
that she had often found herself tempted to murder
herself and child Such declarations were generally
made by Mrs. Fair after the cessation OF the action
OF the womb at monthly periods. The woman was
not In my opinion, in her right mind at the time OF
the shooting of Mr.. Crttlenden. She was uncon-
sciOus OF her act.
DR.. Trask was crosse examined as to the time at
which he had formed the above opinions of the
health OF Mrs. Fair and with regard to previous
statements Of his on the subject, but without any
effect on his statement OF opinion.
In reply to questions by Judge Aleck Campbell
minister stimulants in large doses to the prisoner
since the commencement OF the trial. He had given
her eight ounces about half pntl OF whIskey in
one day. She has also had about ten grains of
Qulnine and from one TO two drachms of ether IN
day. Antroverson OF the womb Is a local dsp!ace-
ment sometimes produced by the existence of great
trouble The periodical monthly action of the organ
is affected by IT, Relaxed habits of life, relaxed
Igaments and excessive mental emotion pro-
duce It, It's influences are more directly Injurious
to the health OF the patient after the monthly
action OF the womb. Judging from professional ex-
periences and the diagnosis which l have made
should not consider Mrs. Fair sound in mind or
under healthy control Of her action ut the moment
OF the shooting.
DR.. Charles r. Deane testified at great length as
TO the physiology OF the case. He had made an
examination Of the prisoner. Her mind was NOR
bidly affected from the state OF the uterine system
Stmulants were absolutely necessary for the sup
pert OF her health since her imprisonment The
strain Of severe mental emotion will render per-
son unaccountable for her or his acts.
From this point the Doctor went on to corroboratc
the evidence which had been gwen by his profess
sional brethren at many points, differing in opinion
with them in some particulars and introducing new
matter as to the emotional consequences Of func-
tiOnal arrangement OF the womb. He was examined
and cross examined at very considerable length by
counsel and came down from the stand leaving the
impression that the medical testimony In the case
was really OF most learned and dignlfed charac-
ter, althoueh-as medical testimony has ever been
In celsbres since the day OF even the great
John Hunter, In Engand-contradctory as to the
opinion OF the experts In many essential particulars
More Love Lettcrs-Mrs. Fair In Prose and
Poetry.
Au,opy hatcn of love letfere of Mrs Fair tn Crit
tenden pick out the following, which will be read
with avidity:-
DAY DREAMS OF nEs DAZZLING "a voc.
NY own DARLING tt have wished ali day to write You
long letter. answer to the received morning
s ~ss h
:a
used to- and has been trying make to bed but
ss:
saying me o''' OLD room '''
July 90
DAZZLING Did you ever try ths.o close your eyes
$ might a K. window To-
ss ont ss Css and 90 the sofa
fore" really seemed g hear muaica sounds something
he sss on
mpd up sa saSa
bear % be Alone apd aid not sleep for hours was actually
have
Oh, darling, would give much to you only for
Kiss 70 tell you how dear you o
How lonely and ruined my ife would be wi.hou. you'll
precious darling -ho do love you. LAURA.
HEB LONE WATCH KEEPING.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 81
MT DARLIse-This s the last letter can write you TN
get settled at the Lake. What now, If should find all the
comfortable occupied l don't know what should
do-coud not 60 to vrelna-ncithcr would like TO
Where else Well I won't anticipate troubIesthey come
fast enough shal be heartily glad to get out Of
thls wretched city hate thar Virginia 10
paradise compared 10 IL The climate did agree
with the baby, and she's not been well since we
gom
whch my heart linges For instance, rooms No s. and
co-n suit which somebody occupied My
me e side Of the main entrance paror fronting on Mont
gomeI{ street. I've suffered enough In them to make
hate them ] would give ave years OF my life circum
sG noes were such that could Immediately v
ss NE p' srss, VA arys u Virgins Tuesday night had
opened Tor fear they may get injured You take your
choice; ma VII tell you which think bestJ but
are 70 lake whenever you prefer bed
night - nsvs several little things to get In the morning