New-York tribune., 1873-04-16
THE COURTS.
TRAIN AS A PROPHET.


his MENTAL CoNDrTIoN-AN EXPERT lDIsCoMFTrED.
There was curious scene in the staid court
Of the oyer and Tcrminer yesterday afternoon,
after the Courts had regularly adjourned and the Court
house had become comparatively quiet The occasion
the examination of Geo. Francis Train on the Ques
hon Of his mental condition Before his arrival the
almost crowded by very mixed class OF
spectators, among whom large number of women,
who were evidently earnest friends of Train Among
them least face familiar about those court
rooms as the prominent figure in divorce
Promptly at p M, Tram came in with the air of the
dictator he claims to be, and with bouquet in his hut
tonhole. He stepped lightly to the seat assigned him,
his fingers through his hair. glanced bnghly around
the room. and ersciousy waved his hand as his eye
caught familiar faces. At the proceedings were
opened by the who stated briefly that
they had met TO inquire into Mr.. Trains sanitya state
ment which called out O peculiar dOntyoubetoosure
smile 20 the face of the vvaeous Train. The District
Attorney also briefly stated the of Mr. Trains de-
teuton JAIL the ofense being the publication of The
TraiR Lt0ue which filled with indecent expressions,
taken in isolated passages from the Bible
The first witness called DR.. Thaddeus NJ T. Cross
who the stand in the capacity Of an expert ana
who holds several responsible positions In State ana cry
hospitals He explained insanity a manifestation OF
disease of the brain in which the consciousness is not
abOlished hut the perverted Impaired or de-
stroyed and intellectual insanity is characterized by
insane delusion, existing where man could not be
reasoned with by such evidence as would
convince the majority OF mankind. The doctor
mentioned the various degrees Of insanity
such melanchoa, dementia. &c, and the differ
between eccentricty and INSANITY tie visited MI
Train in March, with other doctors. II will be remem
beIed. and he description of the proceedings
taken the inquiry at that tme although the Ques
tiOn TO the mode Of examination was objected to-
DIR. Hammond, II seems did most OF the talking. and
the Of topics embraced references TO Trains prop
srty at Omaha politics. Gen Grants course. and the
Credit Mober scandal. Train had expressed his con-
slant conviction that the nation could not live long with
out him. and that he was destined TO lead it. He was
going 70 be Dictator. He said that in 60 DAYS
from March 10 every portion of the Tomos
would be pulled down and the streets would run
wait and he confidently replied: Eyes. lust wait
and see Finally Train became excited and iDcOherent,
raised by Trains counsel Mr.. Mott, who read statutes
support OF his position. that the only question 70 be
determined was whether he was insane upon the par
ucuar point set forth in the Indictment and he might
be perfect lunatc upon every other subject except the
which forms the Onense charged in the indictment
and mat particular one was the only question 10 DC
tried then. Judge DAILY Overruled this aud said he
should simply try the prisoner on the question whether
he was insane. The next thing brought up was The
Toledo sun for which Train Is said 10 write, and 1t was
red evidence the reading of being dispensed with
for a tIme on account OF the presence of ladies' The
Among Trains counsel ex-Atorney-General Chatf1eld
the 10 crOsseXamne, aud he took up the doc
by asking him If Bacon and Newton and Calico we're IN
because they differed from generally accepted the
Orics Did he think the MOrmOnS were insanef how |
about Socrates DR.. Cross could not say yes 10 this
but fell back on the strange assertion OF Trans Dictator
ship evidence of insanity whereupOn he referred
to Napoleon who dictator, and said beforehand
that no would be- As the doctor had mentioned |
never seen a man neryOusly excIted, and this |
time he Int off his questoners present condition by say
this home,thrust by saying dryy al hope YOU and
Hammond won't ever hold an inquest on me- AT last
MI Chatheld himself was told by Judge Day that hls
been gradually getting more end more metaphysical
until seemed as If Dr. Crosss mental condition was
at stake aud not Trains. AT last the examination was
put over until next Tuesday.