The sun., 1879-05-27
THE CAR DRYER VINO sHor HIS CHILD.
An Ordinary Juyy Declares him Insane aud
Hestows nonnty Upon his VIE.

Daniel W. Macer. formerly car driver
on the Third avenue line. who shot his Ave
year-od daughter Mary. killing hor. in his
homo at 22S East l2ist street. on the oath ult
was arraigned yesterday in the General Ses-
sions. Clerk Hall told him that The Grand Jury
had indicted him for murder in tho first de-
gree. and asked whether he pleaded guilty or
not guilty. Ho appeared not TO hear and looked
out OF the window Hs eyes we're bloodshot
and fierce. and his face was hAgeard. His law
yer entered a plea Of insanity Judge Cowing
dispensed with the usual commission Of ex-
perts. and ordered an ordinary Jury 10 be
Tho prisoner at the bar" Macer's lawyer
said. in his opening address. was n seafaring
man until seven years ago. While at sea he
sustained asunsiroke that permanently unset
sea. he married. Four children were boru TO
him. II is home was comtortahle] nd happy. In
December last he lost his employment Hs u ear
were soon exhausted. To kceT his wife and
chidran from starving. he wPR compelled 10
sell al ,neiT spare hoongin gings, ind then to run
into debt. He could not pay TIE rent. and his
landlord gave him warning TINT he was TO be
dispossessed on the Gath ul'. THE knowledge
that hie wife and children were to be turned
into the street mnhdened this unfortunate mar
and he knew not what hc did on that day"
Mrs. Alice F. Macer, nov OF 226 East 12lst
stand She was clai In black and held n
pretty little girl IL ner arms; .Macer did not
him. Mrs. Macer testified that Macer had nj
ways been an atfectiOnnte md generous hus-
band and father. At the ond OF each week he
gave her his wages. Two years ago he saw n
beggar throw some food that he had obtained
from n charitable person into m ash barrcl
He Guarrelled with tho bcggar so noisily that no
was arrested and taken to tho Fifty-seventh
Street Police Court. Justice Flammer commit
ted him To await examination as 10 his sanity.
but ho was discharged four days later In
March symptoms Of insanity again appeared.
He was slcepless at night, ana restless in the
day. He called for food at all hours and when
II WIS put before him loft il untasted. But he
WIS kind TO her and his children. On the Gath
ult he wns unusually nervous. He ate nothing,
fldgpted constantly comDla nod continually Of
house. At about o'clock she went 10 the room
Of another tenant in the house. Then sho
heard pistol shot. A moment aNerward she
learned that her husband had shot Mary. In
tho l25th street police station he seemed TO re-
member nothing Of the shooting. She and her
City Physicians Hardy ana Nllllnms testified
that from their observation OF Macer in tho
City Prison. they believed him insane,
The Jury, without quitting their seats. found
Mncer insane. and judge COwing ordered him
confined In tho Blackwells . Island asylum.
Then tho jurors, moved to compassion by
Mrs Mnccrs story. made Il hasty collection for
her among themselves. Tho ninth Juror led
with a Is gold piece and round sum was
slipped into Mrs. Mncer's hand. She could not
speak. but tears filed her eyes. The fourth
Juror then set about making II collection among
Jenkins OF the Society Tor tho Prevention Of
Cruelty 10 Children has offered home for the
summer ut the Wright summer Home. Ocean
port, N. j.. to Mrs. Macer and her children.