The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-16

The LUNACY COMMISSION DECIDES THAT SHE IS
USsouND IN MIND.
Nearly Hfty-sx years ago Dianna Bannistsr, nee
Giles was born in the Ninth ward this CITY, She
and her .wo sisters sent 70 the common schools
OF that day and asserted OF them that while her
two sisters acquired fair education sho persistertIy
refused that day to this 10 learn even the alpha
bet. Her husband, cry goods merchant In Liberty
street. died. leaving nsr property IN West Washington
place valued ~ about $i3.0 0o She mas since lived
alone III . manner extremely psnurious, and, Il Ia
claimed, has added TO her property. or late
years her habits Of eccentrloity became demon
srat,vs as 70 convince her two sisters and others
having knowledge OF her that she was insane. At
tho instance OF those Two sisters q ommisson was
issued from the Supreme Court 10 take evidence as
10 ner state Of mind and capacity TO manage her
property, and Counsellor ROBBERS Dodge, Or. Fred
erick Dame and Mr. Charles II. Haswen were APP
pointed such commission. The matter came up
before the commission yesterday, Messrs. George W.
Wilson and Ethan Alien appearing 70 represent the
sisters OF Mrs. Bannister, while Mr.. Everett T.
claim thai she u not insane. The principal IN tho
nugaiion Is now nm inmate OF the Bioomingdalc
Asylum.
la favor Of her INSANITY Two physicians wero ex
amined, both OF whom pronounced nor insane and III
capable oil taking charge OF nor property. On the
other side, already stated In the HERALD, Mrs.
Bannister herself examined q witness and
gave strange aud excited exhibition leaving II Tor
the jury decide whether her testimony was In
favor vi her insanity or othorwse. Two other ply
slcans thought her sane and able 10 manage her
property.
Among those examined iHvor OF her sanity yes
tsraay was DR.. William Z. Hunter. VINO, whiie be
thought she could not successfully mansg 20 her al
lars, said she was not M SUBJECT for a Iunatic
asylum. On the side examined
Charles Holdings, German manufacturer OF vinegar.
The only trouble he knsw with Mrs Bapnistvr
that she was very high tempered, and whcn OK
cited would flourish her arms IN unusually demon
strative manner ono evidence Of her sanity TO mis-
NINA that she would not employ lawyer TO draw
up contract Tor putting an additional story on ner
house.
Mrs. Mary A. Revor knew mrs Bannsssr for about
twelve years, and considered her sane.
"What would you think of nj" sad Mr.. Alou. III
4 buried my money In the back yardW
"Under certain circumstance II you feared thieves
answered Mrs. Rever. rms witness iurthsr testified
that said she would not have Mrs. Bannster
In her kitchen she insane, and AZ 10 her
the witness stand abe thought IL was not IN
usual under the circumstances.
wnAr COMMITTEE FOUND.
Mr. Daniel GOODWIN, WHO had been appointed by
Judge Lawrence n inmitcc To take charge OF her
person ana property, testified IN rebuttal that no
Washington place, Iol IN Greenwood wn,cn her
| husband 10 buried, $3.50 In bonds aud Slg7 30 Ia
specie, both OF which found buried In the yard,
| together with a gold watch ana cham and small
amount OF household furnituea He arranged Tor her
board anu attendance in Bloomingdalc Asylum NJ Abe
ratio OF 81 week, aud paid thirteen weeks In ad-
vance. When ne took charge oil Mrs. Bannister aud
the mouse he found nothing TO eat but scraps aud
| crusts unit Tor dog TO eat lie found her only
companions 70 DO rass, and her bod was straw laid
| In corner Of the room. There nothing else In
she house but few articles oil furniture and heaps Of
airs and rabbish Az soon - she went 70 we asylum