National Republican., 1879-09-27


Tho counsel on both sides wero present, and
the hearing proceeded promptly on time.
Major A. c. Richards was tho first witness
called for the defense. His testimony was of.
fered for the purpose of showing the poculiari- |
ties of the defendant at times, and tending to
show that his mind was diseased. The most
particular point the counsel wished to show in
this INSTANCE was that his house was raided
by the police, on the charge Of being a bawdy-
house. on the complaint of his sister.in.law
and others, aud he arrested and imprisoned
that this and other annoyauccs tended to ag.
gravate and unsettlo a mind already weak
from injuries received to tho head in the pris.
oner's youth.
Tho Government objected on tho ground
that the evidence was not competent, as the
defense proposed to present it, and if sdmis.
sable Mt all must be presented in another
shape, aud after specific proof of insanity had
been introduced and foundation for the tcs.
timony properly laid.
After argument tho court decided that the
evidence could be offered If it was to show the
abnormal condition of the mind and insane
acts, and was to be'connectcd with other acts
for the purpose of showing tho defendants
mental condition.
THE RAID ON STONES HOUSE.
The witness testified that two years ago lie
was chief Of tho police and then knew the
prisoner by sight. His knowledge of the man
grew ont of an arrest of him in raid on the
defendants house. The raid followed u COM
plant that it was a bawdy house.
The defendant was under arrest and impris.
Oned Mt the station-house. Since that time the
accused filed claim, throdgh tho witness in
tho Treasury Department for money duo him.
The Government moved TO strike the test.
mony out, as it was irrelevant. Tho court de.
clined because the defense promised to follow
IT up with more evidence of the same sort
The record of the Police court was received,
showing that Stone was acquitted Of this
charge.
Herbert A. Preston. journalist testified
that on May Z, 1877, he was writing for
the Sunday Herald He had known the pris.
oner for seven or eight yerrs, and was ac.
quainted with tho facts connected with the ar
rest for keeping bawdy house. He was not
present at the raid and knew nothing about it
OF his personal knowledge. He was in the
| Police court testified to the good character of
| stone, aud tho case was summarily dismissed
| After the accused was liberated he caino TO
the witness. appeared excited aud looked pale
and distressed lie said but very little his
manner was stolid, silent and like that of
man deeply wronged, who could find no words
to do tho subject justice he formed an opin-
ION from these circumstances, at the time and
thought tho man insane he did everything
possible to pacty the man, aud tried to keep
him quiet, and did 1t because he thought the
man not in his right mind; he wrote letter,
at the request of the accused, to the President
| of theSnited States, calling attention to the
fact that Stones house had been raded aud
| great injustice done the man. Subseoueut tly
he Went to see the District Attorney in regard
| to the raid, and if some redress could not be
| had he told Stone not to be rash and he
would get justice after u while.
Cross examined: He wrote the letter to the
President because Stono could not state the
facts in the way in which he (Stone) wanted
them stated, aud he WAS incompetent to do
so after the raid. He saw nothing wrong
about Stone prior to tho trial following the
raid. He did not form the opinion that Stone
was insane from any particular act, and could
not recall any particular word that made him
| think so.
Lieutenant EckloF of the police force. tes.
| titled that he made the raid and arrested tho
| prisoner. Ho was kept in tho statOn-h house
over night,
\ CANAANITE ON THE STAND.
| James Trott testified that he had known
Stone for six years, aud was identified with
him in Canaanitc Lodge. He had seen actions
and conduct OF Stone indicating unsound mind
He would come into tho lodge look wild get
of the handle, and they would have to lot him
have his own way to keep him quiet.
To juror: He was appointed on committees
to transact business.
Crossexarnined: The rule was to have
peace and good order in the lodge, and for the
members to do what they were told to do.
In appointing committees sometimes Stone
would object to man, aud be wild if ho was
not dropped. He was self.willed, and got
mad If he could not have his own way. Ills
appearance was intelligent, but his action a
counterfeit. He objected to all of the by.
laws at times without giving any reason, and
when they had an agitation" he would ex
/ Ia ,itin 10 fall ii-a - Il.
alone.
f. G, Bright testified to u fve.ycaIs' acquant.
ance with tho prisoner, and was connected
with him in an association until IL disbanded
Stone always seemed TO think if anything was
said about person that he was meant. In the
association he always wanted to have his own
way. He was on committees, but never was OF
much account. He was first ce-presdent ol
the association.
Oscar Smith, another Cana ante, gave testi
mony rs to Stones bul-dOzing the lodge.
Jacob Preston lived with Stone in May, 1873
and noticed peculiar things about him. Some
times lie would act highty. He would he
writing, jump up and scratch his head ant
then sit down again. He seemed 10 be
troubled about fuses with his family, aud al
times was cross lie thought that the cause
of II was the trouble Of his family aud over
whelming sin in his heart. His mind wa
irritled aud he seemed somewhat crazy.
William il. fllNnuSn knew tne ueIcntlunl
since 1873, at which time he employed him
/, Had frequently seen him since that time and
WAS well acquainted with him noticed tha
when he was oxactea he had no mind at all
whenever he got into fuss with any one ho ap
poared to he without any mind (rh,
court required the witness to coufin,
himself to stones actlons,l Tho witnes
replied that when ho was mad h
wanted to kill people and what was NOR
strange, fifteen minutes afterward he did no
appear to know what he had done during hi
excitement at other times lie always be
hayed himself very well his reputation 10
peace and good order WAS always good tn
defendant did things that woro unreasonable
tho wituess had forgotten what the occur
renee was on account of stones eNctable dis
position witness never trusted him with hi
teams.
STONE As PRESIDING CHIEF,
Henry Watson cUlUrcd, had known the de
leudaut since June, 1872; was a member of tn
y same lodge OF Canaauitesi sometimes he woult
r bo pleasaut rs any QUO and seemed to hay
good judgment, but ut other times he wa
dignity lie was at one time presiding cic
;, Of the society, but he became 50 rude that tn
O lodge expelled him; ono time he threw tn
: gayc clear across the room; when he was i
tho chair, aud become mad il seemed that h
could not govern himself; witness alway
: Thought he was selfcUnCcittd or "OpiuiOuHleh.