New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-02-09
TWO CASES OF DISPUTED SANITY.
CONCLUSION OF THE TESTIMONY AS TO MISS
DICKIE's MENTAL CAPACITY-TEE MERRILL WILL

! CONCLUSION OF THE TESTIMONY AS TO MISS
| pICKIR's MENTAL CAPACITY-TEE MERRILL WILL
| CONTEST.
| Sheriif's jury, yesterday, heard the con-
clsien the testimony offered to determine the sanity
OF Miss Susan Dickie heiress to q large estate who
for six years has been an inmate OF the Bloom
ingiale Asylum DIR. james W. .Ranney test;
fed that week ago last Wednesday, he
went to the asylum to examine her, and again
last Monday. The conclusions he arrived at that
she was not an IDIOT aud she not insane. About
these two points there question To determine
whether she imbece required closer Investigation.
bus he mere forced TO the conclusion that she was
not Her memory wonderful-more accurate than
his own doctor said She had correct IDEAS of right
and wrong As To whether she could manage property
would depend, with other inexperienced women upon
the persons into whose hands she fell.
Jane Micber, servant in the Dckie family twen-
ty-three years ago. testified Miss DicEes sanity at
that time and also the jeaousies and quarrcs that
existed in the family.
Miss Susan Dykman, who friend Of the alleged
lunatic from childhood, put upon the
stand principally to introduce into evidence
long series OF letters which Miss Diche
had written, from childhood to the present time
In one written from the asylum, she says Father and
Mrs. Van Week made up lie and swore TO It, and they
put me here. am sick and tired OF the place Come TO
see me-" Miss Dyman said she found her friend huini
rated ny position anu ieeiin. very oieee
who confined her.
Dr. Meredith Cymer gave account OF his interview
with Miss Dickie at asylum last Saturday. Her
ncr he said that Of selfpo>sessed lady OF society
She was perfectly natural durvg the interview She was
M idiot Her head of good shape and proportional
in size to the body; her forehead wa strigh aId
high She was no idiot. SAe spoke OF some
persons with sharpness but not violence Her reinaks
Her peculiar bias was plety Dr. Cyhsaef sa,a
that very few persons even OF strong MINDS, T "so
pie when kept for long time in ASSOCIATION
not think the Boomingdale Asylum suitable place IN
which 10 confne a lun.tic. inryman esked tne wiz
would find out II any persons were eohhned n
was fmpossihle Tor the superintendent know
OF all tie individual among many; there Wee
always so many other things TO be done. why, NOV
p I%9S sT asylum o said to me- dat as
AZ he could get some leisure Le was
1t is true, too that all the asylums shoft-anded ID
medical attendance The care oil the insane is very Sc
we're tabor, and 1t requires more skilled workers."
The counsel will sun up the case at $3.50 p. H. to-day.
TIE MERRILL WILL CONTEST.
Tie Merrill Will contest again before Sumo
gate Calvin yesterday. Thurow Weed testified as
10 his acquaintance with the Merrill family.
and the great affection which Mrs. Merrill
always eyinced toward her adopted son George.
He spoke of an interview with Mrs. Merrill
IN which she expressed much qualification at The faet
thar by the consent OF both herself and Captain Merrill.
George was inherit all her estate. Mrs Merrill strF
uously opposed his marriage. saying that he was nn,
grateful aud limiting AT dsinhcriting him adding thas
her affection him had turned To bitterness In an
swcr TO Mr. Porter, Mr.. Weed stated that when MIS-.
Merrill talking about the marriage she was slightly
nconerent and apparently exasperated beyond reason
but tins ouly upon this subject =.
The contestant George Merrill, gave an account Oh
his adoption the Merrill family his early eincatlon
and subsequent travels Mr. Parsons tnen pSac" ,sa
Informal VIII, executed by Mrs. Merrill, on board tne
ship Sea- as showing her affection FOR George NJ tha'
time The will Is as follows:
MY DEAR GEORGE: Should never be permitted 10 see
description whatever aud wish yon 10 give NV Nea'Ins
apparel tn sister, Augusta from time 10 time as sue
may require IT, and don't give it all at once. You VIII
find most Of clothes in trunks and chests ut TAYLOR
Mcrrfis No. SO Buringslip. My bookcase and library
are ut Taylor MerrIs May God bless you. and dont
forget your prayers. Your arcctiOnat@ mother,
Ship Sea, Jan. 10, 1914. CAROLINE MERRILL
lIndorsed.1
Master George N. Trb6etts TO be kept at Taylor
Merrill's until Mrs. MerrlPs return.
Another letter was produced by Mr. Parsons received
By George Merrill IN 1854, and showing the aeetionate
feeling OF Captain Merrill ut that time.
General Sexton testified regard To the connec,
ton az George Merrill with his sta during the late ciyu
war and the bravery shown by him at various times.
The Court then adjourned to February H.