National Republican., 1883-06-12
BICYCLE races at Athletic Park to-day.
DRAMATIC SCENE.
Wonderful Phases OF an Insane Mans
NIind-Tho Inquiry Into the Case Of
Charles IL. Hanson Mt EllicOtt City.

Wonderful Phases OF Insane Mans
Mind-Tho Inquiry Into the Case OF
Charles Il. Hanson Mt EIlicott City.
Charles Edward Hanson who murdered his
friend and neighbor, Charles Ridgley White,
near Ellicott City, Md, some time ago, has
been sent to tho Spring Grove lunatic asylum.
Proceedings were had in the court room on
Saturday at Ellicott City. 1t appears that
vein of insanity runs through the Hanson
family, as some years ago sister of Hanson
manifested symptoms of mental arrangement,
and was for some time an inmate of the same
asylum, where her brother is now to be con-
fined for life. Since the recent tragedy
this lady, who it was supposed had
recovered her reason, and had been
again taken to the White mansion,
had manifested fresh symptoms of mental
arrangement, and fow days ago was taken
back to tho institution. The investigation
into the mental condition of Hanson at the
time he killed White was made in the court
room in the presence of large number of
spectators, including the relatives and friends
of the two families involved in the Distress
ing affair, rs already explained in the account
of the killing, at tho time in The REpUBLI-
CAN. Tho only explanation offered by the
murderer was that he had been
| inspired by God to say White in retaliation
for tho death of his (Hanson's) sister, whom
Hanson imagined had been killed by White
some twenty years ago, but who as matter
| of fact died of consumption. This fact was
| testified to by members of the White and
Hanson families. Mr.. Murray Hanson,
brother of the prisoner, related many cir
cumstances going to show that for many years
| the accused had suffered from mental de-
rangement, but he was believed to be per-
| fectly harmless. On subjects relating to the
management of the estate he was perfectly
| rational The testimony of several physicians,
| including DR.. Grundy, the physician in charge
| of Spring Grove insane asylum, gave evidence
corrobOratve of the mental ncapacity of the
prisoner. Among the witnesses was sister
| OF the prisoner whose story was listened TO
with great interest, and went to prove unmis-
takably the insanity of the prisoner.
Hanson, the prisoner, was next placed on
the stand, but was not sworn. He appeared
| easy and self possessed, and answered the
questions put to him briefly and intelligently
He was, he said, "a years of age, and at the
request of counsel proceeded to explain in
detail how no managed the estate. After this
| O dramatic scene occurred.
II went TO California, said Hanson" not
only for my health, but to fulfill my duties
as a grand disciple Of the Soldau." From
this point u singular change came over the
unfortunate man. His figure seemed to
swell with rage his eyes flashed, and n tor
rent of words poured forth between his
| clenched teeth, while court counsel, and
audience listened in wonder The calm in
telligence of the early stages of the examina-
tion disappeared, and in its place came the
frenzied utterances of mad man, whose voice
rang through the court room in deep, sonorous
tones, causing an uneasy sensation Of pity
and horror among the auditors. His utter
ances were devoted entirely to wild, irrational
charges against the man he had murdered,
which would, have been absurd had not their
atrocious character thrilled all in the court
room with horror. Counsel and court sat
quietly back and allowed tho unfortunate
man to rave without intermisson probably
for three quarters of an hour, evidently with
tho intention of allowing the jury time To
form their own opinion as to the mental con.
dition of the man, Finally, Judge Miller
raped on his desk, and in mild tone said
} Mr.. Hanson, think the jury understand
all about that. Now tell, for the causes you
have named you killed Mr.. White, didn'i
youp
Tho prisoner. No, sir. The, killing wa
Gods own act done on this earth,
Tho next question of the court was trivia
one in reference to the Hanson farm, pro
: pounded with the view of studying the phase
of the madmau's deusion. At the first init
nation of q change of the subject the prison
er's cOuntenance instantly changed, his wild
ness disappeared, aud in low, gentlemanl,
D tone he replied with the intelligence Of NJ
experienced farmer to all the questions pro
| pounded by the court. He was then allowe'
5 to sit down.
After some further testimony the jury re
5 turned verdict of insanity, and the cour
0 sentenced the prisoner to the insane asylum
: He accompanied the officers quietly.