The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-06-17
THE MUTE WITNESS.
MISS ROBINSON STILL ON THE
STAND.
What She Knows as the Conf
dante Of Ida Fawkner.
LEGAL sHARPsHoOTING.


THIRD DAYS PROCEEDINGS IN THE INvEsTIGA-
TIoN INTO THE ALLEGED MIsMANAGEMRNT
OF THE INDIANA STATE DEAF AND DUMB
ASYLUM - SHARP sKIRMIs9ING AMONG
LEADING LAWYERS IN THE CAsE-wHAT
MISS ROBINSON SAW AT THE INSTITUTION
HER DIRECT EXAMINATION CONCLUDED
| AND THE CROSS BEGAN.
The third days investigation into the charges
against the management OF the Deaf and Dumb
Asylum, preferred by John f. Fawkner, opened
at 10 O'Clock yesterday in the Hall of Representa-
lives. There was marked increase in the num-
Der of spectators over previous days. On the di-
rect ex smination the counsel experienced great
difficulty in framing questions SO that
witnesses could comprehend them
and at the time avoid
making them improper in legal light. Mr.
Dye conducted this delicate duty in such a
mastery manner that the counsel on the 9th
side fet constrained to be captious. and endeav-
ored to break the force OF the revelations being
made, by criticisms that MIR. Dye could
but regard extensively personal.
The result was that the gentlemen INDUCED in
some sparring not down 10 the programme
The process of taking the testimony of mutes is
not only beset with difficulties Of the character
above alluded to. but is tedious in tine ex-
treme. Questions have to be put in writing and
as such witnesses can not comprehend the full
import ofany except the most common words,
and shortest sentences, and as they are also apt
| to make indirect responses, many questions
have to be put in some cases to get at proper
answer. So almost both sessions of the board
We terday were consumed in completing the d.
rect examination of Miss Robinson.
AS she is mute Of more than ordi-
nary intelligence, and inasmuch as
there is possibility of the great majority of
hPn nj he bafO ffa cIo
/ it is apparent that the investigation will be
long and weary one extending far into the sum-
mer. If this conclusion is correct. the partici-
pants will suffer seriously, as the hall was very
hot yesterday, and wooden goods burden.
THE PROCEEDINGS
were begun promptly at 10 o'clock. All the par
| ties were in their places. Secretary Brown read
the minutes of the preceding meeting and
then DR.. James of the board submitted the fol-
lowing reasons for dissenting from the decision
of majority of the board in the matter of Mrs.
Donnell's revelation to Miss Emma Perkins, in
relation to ida Fawkner:
| my reasons for dissenting from a majority of
the board in its ruling in regard 10 what Mrs.
Donnell had told Miss Perkins about
OF Valentine in the spring of 1874
are: That this board does not exercise the func-
tiOns o court. nor can 1t be governed in its rul-
ings by the techsicalities governing courts of
law. We are simply board of state officers in
vestigating charges preferred of mismanage
m. mt and improper conduct OF the managing
officer AID his subordinate in charge of a public
Ia ana 20 my any com III
management of the same should be admitted
for the purpose of subscribing the interests o.
necessary for their decision The letter was
ordered spread of record. Then Gen.
cursed maTed the IN board Ra that " sne john
e. Fawkner be required 10 produce before the
board all the letters and correspondence of every
character that passed between him and MISS
Ida Fawkner after she left the Asylum. To this
the counsel for the prosecution aSsented.
EXAMINATION OF MISS ROBINSON RESUMED.
The following testimony is an accurate copy
of that REDUCED to writing by counsel and wit
ness:
Q. State if this letter now before you Having
handed. witness a letter dated Feb. l5, ls75l. is
the one you stated on yesterday you wrote to
Ida's aunt at her request.
DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTION,
| INOIANAPoLIs, Feb. 10, 1875.
Mrs. Fawkner:
DEAR FRIEND-Your niece Ida has been very
thought / had better write and let you know
of her illness. She may not recover, therefore If
ssiS sSe onId ike TO see Won see ~ S Sne mas
ALICE NJ. ROBINSON.
Q. State if you ever saw the paper written in
cypher and now shown you; II so, when you
A. Go not understand what you mean.
| q. Did you ever see the paper before yeu?
| a. Yes, sir.
Q. When did you see that paper the first timer
A. Last year.
@. How long after the time it bears date was it
that you first sa it?
| A. About 18th or l4th of February.
| @. Lie : ou see Ii about the 18th OF February,
A. Yes, sir.
| @. Who showed IL 10 you?
A. Ida X. Fawkner
o.. Did YOU read il when she showed il to you?
| A. Yes, sir
| @. Did you make copy oft?
| A. think not.
| Q. What kind of writing is it written In? Can
you read those letters?
"A. do not know.
| @. Will you write what they mean? Make a
copy of IL in plain English?
A. Yes, sir.
/ latter examining letters minutelyl
INDIANAPoLIs, Feb. IA, 1874.
can read those letters some.
Q. Can You tell by looking at that note who
write it?
A. Yes, sir.
| q How an van fell wi m xrrofa