Smyrna times., 1873-06-11

lIlSduO H0 IDCIHlUDou, dS SOUC ldCCS OudG
brought him to o.hisconclusion, ,thatW est wanted
to purchase from him some relics for public :
museum he was going to establish at Milton,
town Of about one thousand inhabitants, and
of his going to pic mic on one occasion and not
leaving his carriage, but getting in and out
about twenty times in two hours
Other witnesses related West squeer actions
! from time to time viz: DR.. Pierce, G. L. and
| S. r. Evans, and Edward G. Atkins.
Mr. Evans told of Vests fondness for relic
hunting, and of his skinnng frogs and catching
snakes, and of his having the arm OF human |
being, which West said was the arm of an
Indian chief. West held that these things |
were for his museum.
Another witness, Samuel Collins, testified to |
meeting West in Philadelphia, strutting up and |
down the street in such manner as to have
boys following him and hallowing at him.
Another, to his boasting of making $4,000 out
of his gas business and that he seemed wild
upon that subject All these witnesses said
that from Vests looks and actions they
believed him crazy. This evidence stretches
over period of five years.
, The nOst important witness was Captain
Battel. He said that he had told West in
person he believed him to be crazy. West left
his box of relics at his place III Dover. This
box was brought into Court and caused quite
. an excitement. The box contained such
Y things as glass jars Of snakes, buck horns and
an old shoe and some Shells stones, and many
e other oddities too numerous to mention. The
e box was placed before the jury, and called
n Vests Milton Museum. Vests talk to Capt.
: Battell was extravagant about his going to
# make fortune
a DR.. w. G.. Davidson testified saw him
S about six months previous to the murder, he
it come into my Office at Milford, and asked me
e the price of advertising. After talking about
v that awhile he branched off on wild harangue
> tnbO .b, ,DrONriatio- of his Io ont
le suddenly, almost before was aware of it, He
), was different in manner from what | had
ID known him-there was marked difference.
n My conviction is that he was not a sane man.
r | had an interview on Saturday following the
occurrence in his cell. We were alone was
with him about three fourths of an hour
v, While there | don't recollect of introducing
I'd the subject of insanity to him.
at Dr. Jas. D. West, of Milton, brother to the
as prisoner, also testified about his museum pro
n iect and other odd freaks.
Benz. 4. Bennett, who testified that he was
gs a pupil of DR.. West. Saw West on Monday
if of Thanksgiving week, at Wilmington depot
VI noticed his peculiar conduct, and remarked t
nv friend that if west was not crazy he was drunk
Never knew him to drink Saw him again th
ed next day and he had the same manner.
It f; The witnesses for the prisoner having a
nd been examined the State then called witnesse
)m in rebuttal
Edward Ridgely testified Has some curio,
10. tiles that were given to him by friend. The
we are snakes and fish preserved in alcohol. Tx
cal hibited. He never expected to start
lp- museum OF them, or to make "a big thing,
ter out OF them.
VIM D. Fowler, testified very similarly I
Mr.. Ridgelv.
he Beniah Watson testified: Had heard
vas Vests South American fortune, but does nj
md know whether it was when West was addres
.rly ing his present wife. After the wedding
,ad West was at the office of the witness, and tn
on. to get the lady" To this West made no r
on. ply in words but laughed heartily. This VI
was after his marriage Has frequently had cor
ced versation with West, but has not visited h
the Office, although West has been in the office
ary the witness. He also visited West in Jail, al
ing advised West not to talk so much. Does II
.ge. recollect what reply West made. West to
on witness on one occasion that he had discolor(
ued the skin of Turner with alcohol so that
was might appear TO DC the SKIN OF Whlte ma
,day He never believed West insane.
The State also brought those who went
school with him, and said that many of t
Of scholars at that time were relic hunters. \
loaJ II. X. Bennett, who was schoolmate OF West
ON brought a collection of his own curiosities IL
,;N, Court which contained about the same
ot Vests box. but not so many. Several witness
o., said that West showed no signs of insan
ho until after his interview with DIR. Davidson,
10 llA' the Saturday after his arrest. It was sho
NJ. in DavidSon's evidence that on that day Il
~ !. Ie conversed upon the subject of Vests mi
> oo. mo and the effects Of the gas upon him. Al
this interview West showed signs OF insani
20 49,, ~ David +. Burton detailed business and OF
uio, linl interviews with West the week Of the ho
i oNo eide. Never thought him insane.
:GIo ;o;Io Chas. Culbreth saw him in aud about
'O'u0 hotel; thought his mind good,
A. J. Wright, \. j. Taylor, John II. Ba
man, all thought West sane. So, also JC
"ler- k Evans, VIM. f. Smith, David Harringt
was was VIM. a. Reynolds, W. q. Fountain, John
ment Stevenson. JAS Cowgirl and j. g. Pennev
man II John Laws, Ia colored waiter) said We
on oI manner of eating was like that of other peO
-aken si Henry G. johnson, DIR. Jos. L. V. Blocks
.t hr. Albert Cowgirl and Dr. Isaac Jump, belle
l'ia' West sane, and Deputy Sheriff Irons and
oIls' Sheriff Hargadine testified that they had
eu " noticed any evidence of insanity in him u
mas S after the interview between him and
: iTr anu Davidson.
haif Here the evidence closed and the argum
up III commenced, on Friday.
ldent Deputy Attorney General George II. B
q ontie W commenced the argument on the part OF
q the State. He argued that if West killed Tu
in self defence, why did he not come
acknoW ledge it2 Instead, he tried in e
bach way to prevent the dead body's recognit
n last on the other side of self defence and insan
About we're inconsistent with each other, that w,
family plans were so successful that even his brotl
prised came to his funeral, and the fire being put
cradle in the building that night was the only q
led to that defeated the wide laid plans of West,
groom had that house been destroyed by fire v
alters would not to-day, have been prisoner In
10 in Court, but would have allowed his own epit
much to appear on the tombstone that would u
IS fol- been placed above Turner's grave:
ggage On Monday Mr.. Salisbury made his a
Of the ment. He occupied the entire day He II
quotations from many authors to show
any one might be sane upon all subjects ex
one, and cited many and various cases
insanity to illustrate the peculiar insanit
GA West. AS the Senator was closing his sp'
he pictured in touching language the 9
Jury responsibility resting upon them, during W
mot West shed tears.
The Attorney General lore commenced his a
,sed in ment yesterday and occupied until five o'c
Iii, when the jury retired.