The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-25
those admitted, being rigidly, but courteousy car


and Messrs. Beach, Howe and Spencer for the
prisoner. Mr. Scanned was brought in by the
Deputy Sheriff in charge OF him. HIS wiie,
mother sister and other relatives were alse In at
tendance early and remained throughout the pro-
ceedings.
The evidence yesterday was mainly directed to
the mental excitement OF the prisoner following
his brothers. death, and the feeling that he had
that he himself the object OF political persecu-
ton, and that he would not receive any justice
Tor his brothers. death at the hands Of the author-
ties. The evidence though directed to prove the
insanity OF the prisoner, mas yet been confined to
the testimony OF Observation-Disclosures and in
innate friends of Scannell. The professional
testimony ON this point will be commenced to-day
the examination to be con1ded to Mr.. Howe who
expects to prove emotional insanity, and which
Will be based the principal point in the defence.
The examination OF witnesses for the defence
was resumed.
TESTIMONY OF JOSEPH KING.
Joseph King formerly in the employ of Scannen,
was called to prove from acts OF the accused, that
he was insane-0n one occasion the prisoner sent
witness to purchase some carpets and mating;
when he returned the prisoner got in rage, and
wanted the money back which he paid Tor them;
Scannell thought they were 100 dear; witness re-
cited strange acts and curious conduct OF the ac
cused after the death OF his brother; witness con-
sidered him insane sometimes.
TESTIMONY OF PETER CARROLL,
FISHERMAN, Of l16 East Twenty-hrst street,
l belonged to the Democratic General Com
mlttee III Inc year 1869; DOnohOe also belonged to
it, don't think John Scannell belonged to it;
Donoh0e and the Scannels were good friends pre-
vlous to the campaign OF 1867. saw John Scan
nell the day Florence was shot; he was very wild
and excited; brought MIN up stairs in the Comp
ton House saw him afterwards in the hospital,
While Florence was lying there; he would always
sit distance from Florence's bed, would gaze in.
tenty on him and then drop his head on his breast
In melancholy and distracted manner
IL
the perspiration OF the defendant?
Witness-Yes; perspiratloh would come out
heavy on his hands and forehead.
MI. Beach-Without any physical exertion'
Witness-Yes.
Mr.. Beach--When was this?
Witness-ln August
On crosse animation witness gave his own earlier
history from the time he lett his fathers house. at
thirteen years Old down to the present time; he
had heard OF Scannell's being wounded but he be-
lieved he was policeman then.
George w. HOier testified TO q talk with John
Scanrel at Elizabeth, N. j., during which Scannell
showed great trouble
Witness met Scannell last Autumn at Catsklll
and noticed that he looked haggard Scannell COM
planned Of headache and weaKness; witness no.
ticed that whenever anything was said about his
Brother he looked very curious and became excited
the subject of the death of his brother was always
avoided as much as possible; Scannell's mind wan
dered good deal; he would talk politics. and sud-
denly turn the conversation to religious SUBJECTS
Andrew Sheehan testified to the great affection
the prisoner entertained for his brother, and to the
changed demeanOr of the prisoner from the day of
the shooting OF Florence Scannell.
John Hennessey stated that he was in the pool
room on the night OF the shooting; saw both Scan
nell and Donohoe, and heard the latter say, "Come
on, john" thought DonOhOe was standing still
when he said this; he might have been moving
The Court here took recess
After Recess.
The first witness called upon the reassembling of
the Court was ,osv,u p vrnn
who, being sworn, testfed-I reside at No. Bre-
WORT place, and am q butcher; have known John
GVnV trnyu ElnpA
nell also; John was in the habit of visiting at my
house both before and after the killing Of Fiorence
noticed Il change in the manner and appearance
OF John alter the killing of his brOther he visited
me frequently, and used to get up at all hours OF
the night and stay up; once when his wife came
and asked him to go home he said to me, "JOe
can't go home, for they want to murder me-"
another night when he got up and wanted him
to go back to bed, he said to me, 'Joe, you know /
can't go to bed for
FIORRY KEEPS ON COMING TO SEE ME;''
he lost flesh very much alter the shooting Of Flor
sive preparations also without any apparent cause.
Cross-examined-l sometimes trade little in
horses; when John visited me ! lived at 45O West
Forty-trst street; do not own any real estate
now; John first came 10 my house on his own in
vltatiOn, one day, as met him at Alderman Udell's
saloon, when was returning from the race track:
l usually allowed him to occupy any room he
chose; he visited me frequently; the first time be
stayed there two or three weeks: John was in the
nablt OF going to bed about daylight; am not land
lord OF any houses at presents; was landlord OF the
house occupied In Forty-irst street and of a |
house IN Forty-third street; j am not and have
not been proprietor OF any house used for gam |
bling purposes; had no connection with any such
mousse except paying visit now and then.
PATRICK CLAFFEY
was next sworn and testified as follows:-I am |
painter and reside at 1872 Third avenue; / have |
known John scanne since 1853 prior to the shoot.
ing OF his brother he was Of friendly, cheerful, |
quiet manner and disposition; noticeda change
In him alter the death OF Florence; he |
spoke to me once about January, about painting |
his barroom, and gave him price; he wanted me
to commence painting in the morning, when the
carpenters had not yet broken the wall to put up
the wood work Of the doors he wanted me to paint:
told MIN ne was crazy; on another occasion he
was talking pleasantly TO me and l happened to
mention DOnOhoe, and John dropped his head on
his breast and walked away from me; he was
changed man altogether in his manner; he fell
away considerably in flesh; have seen him wipe
his forehead, but l do not know ether he was
perspring or not.
The cross-examination of the witness developed
nothing OF interest.
JAMES A. sTANDlsH
was next examined. He testified 81 have known
John and Florence Scannell about six years; as
sisted In taking care OF Florence while he lay
wounded at the hospital; John was there to see
him every day. his manner towards him was very
affectionate; at times he acted strangely, and in
conversation was often disconnected. Witness
proceeded to describe incidents which led witness
to construe the prisoners manner as "fighty;' he
fell away in flesh after the shooting and death of
Florence.
Cross-examined-I took care of Florence at the
hospital during the daytime only.
PETER M'KNIGHT,
q long-bearded gentleman, was next sworn and
examined. He SAID 81 live at 240 Stanton street;
have been an Alderman and deputy sheriff;
have known John about twenty-eigh years knew
Florence since he was a child noticed generally
their conduct from their youth up; they were very
cheerful and affectionate toward each other: I
done business for John in the Sherifs Office: he
once told me he was the happiest man In the
world and said he had not an enemy in the world
in the Jefferson Market court room at the time
Florence was shot, John said to me, when told
MIN was sorry to see him there and sorry to
hear OF Florence's condition, ''Oh, my brain Is
burning!' and again, my soul is on firel" he was
very much excited and seemed to be deeply
troubled witness proceeded 10 describe various
incidents in the prisoners conduct at anu SUISSE
quent to the matters narrated above He bled
prolusely at the nose, and considered that shat
deblitated MIN q great
District Attorney Phelps-Oh oh that is not
wanted.
Mr.. Howe-Mr. Mcknight, an Alderman must
not testify Us to the effects upon the human system
OF bleeding at the nose. (Subdued laughter.)
witness resumed-His general conduct, manner
anu conversation led Inc to consider him insane.