New-York tribune., 1883-06-19
Tp GILL DECLARED INSANE.

.,,p pr1GN OF THE wOoDHALLS ENDED.
OF THE sHERRP's JURY-How THE
suprvp SISTERS GREW RICH on THE OLD
MANS BOUNTY.
rhe lunaey proceedings recently begun
.nst John Gin were substantially brought to an end
yesterday, by the verdict Of the sherifs jury thas
~, GIN was of unsound mind and incapable OF
anagiuc his affairs. Mr.. Gin is over eighty
Years old For the last nine years he has lived alone
win TWO women, Alice and Harriet Woodhal, VINO
came into his house servants receiving $40 or SlZ
month wages During these years he never saw any u
his chdreu who, is sad kept from entering inc
bouse by the servants who had absolute in their
authority over their master Some months ago proceed
ings were begun IN the Superior Court to nave MI 1I
declared OF unsound mind Several hearings Were ntu
before commissioners and Sherifs jury, ana MT ou
was hlInself examined. The examination Oh MI 1li'
showed that he had comprehension of the nature OF
the proceedings and that any authority to counsel to
resist them could hardly have proceeded from him.
Suddenly the counsel who appeared for MI GIL were
out OF the case and William f. Howe was suo-
stituted in their place Mr. Howe succeeded in getting
the proceedings discontinued on tue GROUND oil soipe
irregularities New proceedings were at once Dcguh
After or three hearings before the commissioners
an order was made for the production OF Mr. Gill; On
the evening OF the day when this order was ma eoe
children OF Mr. Gill succeeded in getting thelF id'hof
away the CUSTODY Of the Woodhah sisuerS
n
Of the consequences OF this array was tha1
charges OF assault and battery preferred against
The Woodhals the police justice held them on tne
charge The exact movements OF the women nave NOT
been known TO the police since they were released On
hail and 1t has been rumored that they had secretly
sailed for Europe These rumors have been emphatcany
denied nv Mr. Howe. IL was shown before the com
,oissoners that Mr. Gin had made over to
Alice woodhall the house in which he
had lived for forty years. and that he
had transferred to about $4,000 Of United States
hords and that he had also transferred some United
states bonds 70 Harriet Woodha The exact considera-
tor for all this generosity did not appear.
THE TESTIMONY YESTERDAY.
when the commissioners met yesterday young man
from Mr. Howes Office assured them that Mr. Howe was
,l and asked to have hearing adjourned. The com
sionrrs directed the counsel for the petitioners TO 60
ON with the examination Of witnesses The trst
witness called was Dr. Meredith Clymer, who said he
had seen aud talked with Mr. Gin. Tho examination
was this city in room the windows OF which over
of the principal avenues through which the
rrans the elevated railway constantly passing
Mr. GIN thought he in Philadelphia. AT first he
said he had come to Philadelphia by steamboat After
ward he said he had come there by train
in company with Alice Woodhall. Harriet
Woodhal had gone ahead The "ladies' were then
out sightseeing, and soon as they came back they
should all return to York During this interview
Mr. Gm went the window. from which he could see
the street and the trains the Elevated Railway
passing back and forth The witness asked Mr..
GIN many questions which would naturally
have been considered highly impertinent coming
from a perfect stranger, but Mr.. Gin answered
them all without any further objection than that he did
not wish to be bothered with many questions DIR.
Cymer thought that Gil had substantially no men,
ory, no powers Of perception and will
Dr. A. McLane Hamilton said ne had had two inter
views with Mr. Gill; the first Wednesday last, and the
second yesterday. Yesterday Mr. Gin did not re-
member to have seen him before. Mr.
GIN Thought he was in Philadelphia He did
not know when or how he got there In regard TO his
property he neither knew what hS bad nor where u Ys
He did know the names OF his tenants or even tho
of his children. He seemed to take very little tn
the next witness She said that she had been the
habit visiting Mr. GIN frequently She went to see hin
Mr. Sutton dead but Notwithstanding smiled at her
VITA him. month later she went TO see hun again
He scented GLAD to see her, and sm1lgy asked after
shouted in Mr Gis ear that Mr. sutton was dead aud
asked IL he did not remember IT, Mr. Gf rerneIn-
Mrs sutton Vent to see her grandfather. Alice,
woodhal refused to let her into the house she said
10 fact with her whole family and never wanted to see
door in the witnesss face just before Christmas last
again tried 70 zee her grandfather Harriet
wanted Harriet said the witness could not Mr.
Gill; The witness begged hard 10 be allowed to do So
sSe sSe ss1ed as before Se hd e 20 To- Mr. Gin and
said that Me- Gu was disguised with her and would not
looking into the basement window say her
who reeog1zsa her and smiled and NODDED @ at her 70
went to the house several times; she was |
one occasion Alice WOodha told Ler that If she would
keep quiet about Mr. Gill she (Alicc would get Mr. Gil
70 do something for her
Mr.. GILL ON THE STAND
After the examination Of Mrs. Sutton Mr. Pryor
nouBoed to the commissioners that Mr. GU within
call that would be produced II the jury so desired
The commissioners ordered Mr.. Gill to be brought and
this was done. Mr. Gill walked with tottersug gait.
His Balr and beard snowy whe and bis large frame
IL bowed age When lie stepped upon the witness
stand be mled pleasantly and shook hands vita OF
the commissioners He also appeared 10 be about TO
sdereS ne %ss 1 ASKED IL he knew where he came
frona aud answered: 81 should think from Phil
fasp IA Re 6e' ssa % he dd not Know At first
be also SAID he did not kpoT With whom ne vent 10
gssted 90 him. BE said that be had gone TO Phadepha
VITA that person He dd not know when ne had seen
asked how he liked Philadelphia, he said that city |
Odd you ever give any United States bonds to Alice
Woodhallf Al don't know. ,,,
The question repeated, and MI Gill salu ne might
o-iIow large bond did you give to Alice wOodhall
Q-Wasi it as large a bond as s5,OOOi Al don't
o.@Was II bond for 81. .Oooa Al think 1t waa.
,,Q-Dia you ever give any United states s bonds TO
AsrIle. S wooaas A Se siiee "a. woedSa s52oo 10
United States bonds Z A.-No.
Q-WouId yon under any circumstances give Alice |
Woodha $50 900 IN United States bonds Al should |
hesitate 10 give her that
Q-Do YOU know where James Sutton is nowf Al |
may have 30, II Ia so long ago
Q,-Do you know who James sutton Is Al think |
he married my daughter. 80
Odd you ever institute proceedings 20 eject your
son from one OF your housesf A-No. never gan
any proceedings. .
.Q-Do you know who brings your rents to youf A
No.
Q-Do you know the names Of your chlcreni A-No, |
At this point the counsel asked Mrs. Smith, |
Mr. Grs daughter, 20 stand up before |
her father. Mrs SmitL to Mr.. Gill A gean |
Of recollection lighted up his face for moment he
l.I.an fIH allA