New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-14
TIE COURTS.
FORGETTING HIS CHILDREN'S NAMES.
Mr.. GILL's TESTIMONY BEFORE THE COMMISSION IL
DECIDE on HIS SANITY.

FORGETTING HIS CHlLDRENS NAMES
Mr.. GILL's TESTIMONY BEFORE THE COMMISSION TO
DECIDE on HIS SANITY.
The examination in the lunacy proceedings
began against John Gill by his children was continued
Yesterday Mr. Gill Is over eighty years old and his
children aleee that his mind enfeebled, and
that he is totally in the power Of two women servants
Alice and Harriet Woodruff.
Mr. Gill testified that he did not know the name OF the
person who lived next door to him. lie thought long
tme then he said that his William did He did not
positively know the number OF the house. lie himself
lived at No 49. lie could not state exactly the amount
Of the of the houses either side of him. although
the houses belonged to him. The witness first said the
house where he lived belonged TO him. afterward he SAID
that thought that he had decided the house to Alice
woodruff In reply to the question what rent he paid
Alice Woodruff for living in her house. the witness SAID
had nothing to do with 1t. They understood it, lie
mentioned the OF four of his children and said
that he could not think OF the Others his memory
poor. He did not know how many grandchildren lac had
and he did not know their names lie could not tell the
names OF any of his grandchildren. lie had known Mr.
Sutton about year ago, but he did not know who he
Mr. Gill said that he had got letters from people, but
that he did not know from whom he had lately got
letter. He did not have any idea how much stock he
owned in the Butchers and Droyers' Bank. He had
in the habit OF going to Europe every two or three
years. lie went to Europe alone few years ago. lie
said first that Alice Woodruff went to Europe with
him. Afterward he said that he could not answer the
question He not In Canada In 1892 and lice and
Harriet Woodruff did go with him there. He did not
whether his wife left any jewelry she left any,
he did not know where IL was anything about It, He
did not know when he gave up business rs bis memory
was poor. He did not know whether or not he had
made a will The will in the house somewhere, II
he had made any lie did not know whether he had at
tended the Paris Exhibition; his memory was gone.
Mr. GIL added that he did not know what building he
then in; he could not describe It, He did not re-
member ever being at the courtroom before. He did
know when he had been examined before. He did
not remember whether he had been sworn on TINS pro
cceding He thought not He refused 10 count the
jurors before him lie said that he had not given Alice
Woodruff Government bond Ia the morning to have 1t
converted.
former years her father was man OF active business
habits. He was very close and had strong will lie
controlled all persons about hn The witness first met
Alice Woodruff, who entered her service Us common
servant. Alice had lust to tins country and had no
she got $40 month Mrs. smith. after her mothers
death ent 10 live with her father Not long before she
with Alice The witness left her fathers house because
hr wanted her TO CO. He felt that he was watched on
OCCASION Alice. In the presence Of Mr. GILL brand
ished carving knife over the witnesses head Mr. G
made no remonsrance or comment IN regard 10 Ahees
CHS house Inst autumn The witness went there with
door ana s o e e m Harriet lo pe to let
IN. After time, Mr. Gin came out and received tbom
the witness shamefully Mr GIN twice ordered Harriet
to go away said that she would and that
he did not dare To make her 20. Mrs: smith had not
seen years. Before Mrs. Smith
and her sister left the house Alice came in and abu.ed
the Witness sister violently.
Mrs. Smith said that she had asked her father what
he had done with her mother jcwery Mr.. Gill said
hc he did not know. Harriet spoke up: Don't
you remember that you gave II to Alcel" Mr. GU re-
Piled that hc had not given II To Alice Harriet SAID that
did not care; she did not want the cwery She had
trunk uil of the finest clothes and money enough to
bny houses. Presently Alice came IN, and III an
cited declared that Mr. CHI had given the Jew
clry To her and that she decd the del OF any one e!so
10 take an. thing from ihe house Iheh Ace shoutcd IN
Mr.. Gill'- ear. have told you won't have these
call the police aud have them turned out II thfy ever
here again. tell you 1t VIII end the who mater
Mr.. Gill said nothing Ia reply nut simply SANK down III
bis chair The wtne, said that her father told her that
be worth 500. 600. llis income was 500 day.
He man 81 regular habits lie seldom went out Ia
The evening. but went To bed about o0cock yer nav
lng taken smoke and IA drink OF brandy ana water
William Gil son Of Mr.. Gu. was tue next witness
He said that lac visited his inthcr IN ISlr since lnht
time he had visited him until last November. The
reason why he stayed away from his father was because
he was under the influence oi his TWO servants Inc
witness estimated his fathers property AT 100000
SGOOOOO. Prior 10 1877 SIR. GIN was IN the habit OF
going driving often. since that time the witness had
Nun ont except IN the company OF Alice or
Harriet Woodbal. several years ago Mr. Gil went to
Europe IN the company of the two;
John Mcmahon stated that he had been employed by
William Gin 10 defend an action brought against him by
serve n subpoena on him. when lac inquired for Mr..
ti the door. Harriet MOOdha said that he could not
Am ter any circumstances see him A little while after
lice came ana told the witness that II he made any dis
turhunce she would call the police anu nave nun ar
rested on later occasion the witness went Win Win
said that they could not see him. AT last Alice gave
way. Mr.. Tin In lis examination at his house said
son. and had never to any papers Mr.. Gill did
not want 10 any questions unless Alice pres
gave ND the attempt examine Mr.. Gin. The proceed
ng was subsequently discontinued The witness said
hat the lawyer who appeared to represent Mr. GIL IN
-enity represented Alice
The next nearing in the case will be held on Maya.