St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-08-29
A PlTlABLE CASE.
Wilbur f. Storey, of the Chicago Times
Formally Declared an Imbecile.
ISpecial Telegram to the Glnhe /

CHICAGO, Aug. 2S.-The case of Wilbur F.
Storey, proprietor of the Times, charged with be-
ing distracted person, came up in the probate
court this morning and the court room was
densely packed by curious crowd.
Austin l.. Patterson, business manager Of the
Times newspaper, testifes that he has resided
tn Chicago since June, 1861 he was acquainted
with Wilbur F. Storey since June, 1867 he had
been in his employ since that time in the office
of the Chicago Times and in the Free Press
office in Detroit; he was book keeper in the
Office and since 1871 had been business manager
of the Times; he occupied the position of Mr.
Storey's confidential man, and as such had close
relationship with him; he transacted other bust
ness than that connected with the Times; be
acted as his agent generally ;he first noticed men
al arrangement in Mr. Storey as far back az 1851
when he started the Egening Telegram. In
March 1878, Mr.. Storey wrote him from Hot
Springs saying his mind was diseased. He had
that letter, (Ietter produced). Witness proceeded
detailing instances of loss OF mind ana memory,
and stated that in the spring of 1880 Mr.. Storey
wanted Him to select some quiet place where he
could go; that the spirits had so advised him.
witness considered Mr.. Storey an iIobeclc.
After unimportant testimony by one or two
other witnesses, Drs. Ii. NJ. Lyman and A. J.
Baxter were then sworn, and DR.. Lyman first
'NNhA IAO StuHu ne testified JHdL ne made an eX
animation of W. f. Storey on Saturday last. DR..
Baxter and Mrs. Storey were present. Physically
ne found MIN in a condition of partial paralysis
Mentally he was suffering from dementia. He
noticed his appearance. He sat in an easy
chair with his lower jaw fallen.
ms color was purple, showing feeble circula-
/ ton OF the blood of the skin. Ills hands were
cold and clammy. Witness spoke to him, but
/ there was no response but gurcling in his
throat and sickly smile. He felt his pulse, it
was feeble. He held things before him and
| asked him what they were, but there was no
Inherent result. He asked him 10 squeeze his
! hand and there was feeble pressure The pres-
/ sure of his hand was only half what it should be
lie then attempted to ascertain the condition of
his lower limbs, and requested him to stand ON
| his feet, but he did not do so and thew did not
press the matter. He tried his temperature and
found 1t too low on one side of the head and too
high on the other side. He asked him about
his trip to Europe, but he only laughed
and sobbed. He tried his hearing by
his watch, but the only sound he made was when
Mrs. Storey asked him if he wanted to ride and he
said in a gurgling voice, Yes" He tried to
write, but could not do so. Witness thought he
had no intelligent apprehension OF any question
| put to him. Prior TO this witness had seen him
on the street, but had never been introduced to
him. He must have been in his present cond-
ton some time. There was no possibility OF his
ever recovering.
DR.. A. j. Baxter said he had but little to add
to what DR.. Lyman had stated, but said that
when Mr.. Storey failed in his attempt to write
Mrs. Storey apologized by saying that he had
! been writing that morning and was tired. She
! brought in what lie had written. This was pro-
duced and shown to the court and jury. Witness
did not think that he was capable OF making a
letter.
The jury then retired and after being out ten
minutes returned a verdict that Wilbur F. Storey
is demented person, incapable of managing his
affairs and that he had been SO for an unknown
! period.
AS the contendng parties had not agreed on
any person for n conservator the judge asked
each side to nominate several persons who would
be acceptable to them for that position, and Mr.
| Gaudy on behalf of the heirs named, A. l.. Pat
terson, Franklin T. Elliot, David Davis, Lam
! bert Tree, James W. Singleton, Melville ". Full
! Ter, Charles r. bennett, Horace A. Hurlhut,
! John Forsythe and VIM. X. Ackerman, explain
| ing the fitness of each for the position No
names have yet been presented on the other side.
1t is probable that the court will take some
time to consider the matter before making the
aDuOin tment