, 1879-04-23

Special Dftpnsca to 1hs Tribune
KrxoynA, Wis, April o2.-Tho case of the
State ". Msra Knapp, charged with the shoot
Tug Of Mr. Edward Batn, wealthy citizen OF
tllts placc, on tho 10Th Of lust December, was
taken up this aftornoon, mud Jury ia,pnnced
In short time. Tho defendants COUNSEL lntor-
posed special plea OF insanity, and that issua
Is tic onu OH which shc Is being tried. Tic sa1ne
Jury will pass upon tho question OF tl,a guilt or
innocence OF tho ACCUSED Us soon as verdict Is
rendered on this branch. The defense haro
thus tho affirmative, and called Us their first
witnesses tho defendant, who testified tint shs
camo to KcnoshN thirteen years ago; then went
to Ccdar Falls, H., nn1 returned llcre, making
this her home, with the exception Of occasional
visits TO The country.
Here the prosecution raised n question, not
caring to 70 into her history, but desiring tho
testimony to bo brought down to the time this
affair happened, anu relating to this issue,
whicl, the Court sustained.
She bccame acquainted NTH balm about seven
Yonrs ago, which acquaintance continued to tho
present time. On tho 9th Of December sfIo met
Mr.. Balm, and told him shc had moved, letting
him know where to bring thu monthly payment
Of $50 duo 1ar on tho 18th Of that month"; when
ho told her ho would give her but anottcr $50,
md not d cent moro. She pleaded thu disgrace
ho lad brought upon her, and tllpt sho wus un-
ablo to procurs work, but hc romaincd firm to
Ills declaration. They then parted, but she, be-
Ing distracted, and knowlng tlat sho had no
other support III any other wny, procured
flgocen.s' worth Of Btrychnno at Sthrkwcathcr'a
drugstore, for tho purpose Of committing
suicide. In tho evening she met Balm, who sat1,
SD 'd-n YOU, I won't giva you another
cent? and then tho shooting took p1ace. TIC
witness stated that the state oi her mind WAS
such that she could not explain, but TINT the
abuse sho had suffered ut tho hands OF Dalu
had 10 pteycd upon her mind TINT she did what
sho did.
The cross-e1aninatfon was waived.
]. V. Quarlcs and Jamcs Cayanaugli wora
then sworn. Boil, testified that ttoy lad no
definite idea as to her insanity, only that sho
Was very much excited.
1t wlll bo rccollected that Mrs. Knapp, as
soon as the shooting took place. rat into Mr.
Quarlcs' ofllco with tho rcvolgor still in her
t,and, and Was then seen by both gentlemen rs
above.
Charles Knapp, sou OF tho defendant, wns
next Aworn, who stated that bis mother felt bad
tho lay Of tho shooting, and was crying and
looking ou tho floor, aud could not answer nll Of
hts questions.
Dr.. Saunders testified to emotional Insanity
being caused BY a variety Of circumstances,
amongst them TINT Of depression.
Mra, knapp, recalled, saId sho was not
angry Or mad ut I,ain tho night ale last saw
him; she always thought great deal Of him.
On ncross-exalninatton, she testified to her tay-
ing bought 20 cents worth OF brandy on the
afternoon Of the day In question. Thc defense
then rcatcd.
The prosecution then called sfr. Ilollstcr, who
is clerk In StarkwcatlIcr'a drugstore, nud sold
Mrs. Knapp tic strychntue, but there was
nothing In her manner that l,a thought was
unnatural.
Mr.. Louis nafn was tllen shown revolver
and asked II tho defendant had bought II Of
h!m tn September, Tut the question WAS ruled
cut.
Tho Court then adjourned I'LL q. ~. Wcdncs-
day.