The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1884-12-03
THE COLUMBIA SLANDEIs SUIT.
Technical Testimony OF Col. James
Kion as an Expert In Handwriting
With Some knowledge OF Mcdi-


Kion as an Expert In Handwriting
With Some knowledge OF Mcdi-
cine.
Especial Dispatch to the News aud Courier. }
COLUMBIA November 24.-When the
trial Of the Islander suit was resumed in
the Court Of Common Pleas this morn
ing it was evident from the crowded APP
pearance Of the Court room that the in.
terest heretofore manifested in the case
had not in the slightest degree abatcd.
torney. | ain, what few are, an expert
in handwriting. | have natural talent
in discerning similarity and dissimilari-
ty. | have studied everything on the
subject, aud have taken lessons from cx-
pcrts as to discovering counterfeit bank
bills. | think ! am the first person who
discovered the method Of detecting
counterfeit $50 bills. | studied all the
reports that were made in the american
LnW -Nagd=ine of the Whittakcr.casc.
| have also studied so rs to he able now
y" ~ a. VI W. SStIGhlS VI IN
4uarto work Of Chesclton and Sha-
beaw on the handwriting of Junius. l
have also scientific appliances for dis
covery Of counterfeit handwriting, to
wit: A microscope with prolongation
lube to carry the objective beyond the
stage, made by the microscope manu-
facturcr under the direction Of the pres
ident Of the Microscopic Association Of
America. | have, since I paid attention
to the subject, in Courts OF thia State.
detected four forgcrics to the satisfac-
ton Of the Judges in three cases, and to
the satisfaction Of the jury in the
fourth case, all Of which determined the
issues in those cases. I think, therefore,
ain an expert, Of which fact in this case
am very sorry"
The letters before mentioned were
handed to the witness.
"During the trial Of this case l exam
inrd the letter admitted to be in the
handwriting Of Mrs. Mcdaniel, and
made a note Of the idioSincracies Of tho
handwriting and gave it to a gentleman
who is neither lawyer, witness, Juror nor
client in this case. All Of those idiosin-
cracics are unfortunately in the letter in
dispute, and on looking over the letter |
ain sorry to say that | am barely not able
to say that | have a perfect certainty
that it was written 6y Mrs. Mcdaniel.
The reason I cannot have a perfect GER
tainty is that I have not subjected the
letters to my microscope. In cxamin-
ing suspected writing it is the duty Of
the expert to consider all the surround
inss, the physique, health and all other
circumstances connected with the per
son. From seeing Mrs. Mcdaniel OH
the stand. having heard fact, testified to
while ! was present, and from the inter
nal evidences Of the disputed letter, |
would say that the letter was written by
Mrs. Mcdaniel. l will also add, and
from DR.. Tallcy's testimony l would
here state that, although a lawyer, I
have devoted a great deal Of time to the
knowledge which would constitute a
doctor. | have a fine medical library
few country doctors have better or moro
costly books. have read them at night
FOR amusement. In addition to that |
nave a great familiarity with medicines,
and can make and have made most Of
the compounds that arc sold by drug
gists. Since ] ran away from the Court
house (Col. Rion cndcavorcd to avoid
tcs,ifying in the CASEY l have looked
over my books on gyn9colosy and ner-
sonS diseases. I find that Mrs. Nc
Daniels case is that Of a person suffer
'ns froih nys.phomanin, and at the time
OF writing this letter was in n state of
nxaltation, physicians, will explain what
lmean,) and hence was in no degree
more culpablc than a lady would be
having stolen something while suffering
under klcptomania."
After a thorough analysis OF what he
supposed to be Mrs. McDaniel's disease,
Col. Rion went on to say
'~Ilencc l would say, and OF course
subject to the corrections of physicians.
that the writing of this letter is entirely
consistent with a tic .tncto chastity Of
Mrs. Mcdaniel, making her an object
rather to be guarded than hated by her
husband. Among the other numerous
effects Of nympho,nania is the cxpres-
sion of religious feeling. 70 come to
the letter, what is called n state 0: exal-
tat'on in ny%mphomania is clearly indica-
LED. The repetition Of endcnring words,
the duplicated nnd Implicated under
scoring, the frequent use of the word
God, the out Of the way use ofthe word
Saviour, the numerous EXPLANATIONS all
indicate what is termed q state of cxal-
tation with a tendency to religious emo
ton. No person not suffering under