New-York tribune., 1886-02-27
MR.. PANCOAST7S DAUGHTER
DID VAN DORM INFLUENCE HER uNDULYi

NV, r.ruvn npcIAREs HER MIND UNsoUND-
JUDGE BARRETT sEEMs TO THINK so TOO.
Tn the library adjoining the private offices OF
e Justices OF the Supreme Court Justice Barrett yes
teray gave private hearing in the habeas corpus pro-
ce,dngs in which william Van Dorm claims that Minnie,
the daughter Of George Pancoast s his wife and Is nm
lawfully imprisoned by her father at his residence, No.
"a West Thirty.rstst The young woman. who Is dear
and dumb and who her father claims. is OF weak nina
and incapable In the eye of the law OF making
marriage contract. was led before the Judge by Mr
Pancoasts counsel julien T. Davies. She was plainly
sttred her face was plain, and by her demeanor she
plainly showed that she took intelligent interest IN
what going She was accompanied by her aunt
Miss Archer by her ROverness and by her oroner anu
brothern.law. She apparently avoided looking az Mr
Van Dorm, who stood with his connsei william f. ho"e
opposite her and kept his eyes fastened upon
her
Mr. Davies presented Mr.. Panconsts return TO The
writ in which he declared that daughter not re-
strained OF her liberty, that she was OF uhsouho
mind and was the wife OF Van Dorn that she pre-
fers to live with her father and that she was uhduy H.
fuenced by Van Dorm aud induced to take part In the
marriage ceremony. He denied that she loved van Dorm
or that he loved her He said not true that he
was ouposed TO Van Dorm because he was not wealthy
or that lie haa authorized tho oner OF
any money to him to induce him to With
draw his claim to his daughter. He declared that
Van Dorm was actuated solely by mercenary motives
inlaw had given Van Dorm S25 because he sand he wac
witSout money and for the purpose OF exposing his
blackmailng scheme In conclusion he stated that pro
ceedmgs for annung the marriage ana TO inquire IN re-
gard to his daughters sanity had been instituted.
Mr. Howe asked that these proceedings be adJ0nrned
until the lunacy inquest was ended, but MI Davies
thought the writ should be dismissed at once,
as she already in the custody OF
the court pending the inquiry before the
SHERIFF. Justice Barrett decided TO grant the ad
iournnent thus keeping alive tue habeas corpus pro-
ceedngs until after the other questions In the case we're
settled. Meantime he committed Minnie to the care OF
her father. Mr. Davies said he was satisfied with thS
and added: shall regard II as protection OF this
young lady to have such order made"
win Honor permi. the plainn In this proceed
ing to speak to her 7" inquired Mr. Howe lie is her
husband"
Justice Barrett said he would confer with her privately
before werng this. He took her INTO another room
and after brought her back and said: The lady
could not hear me understand what said Sne said
could not communicate otherwise than i'll writing.
then wrote: Madame, do you wish to speak with Mr.
Van DOrnl' She wrote under this: don't want to
speak with him. wrote: Are you willing that ne
should speak 20 you T. She wrote :; do
l.Dt willing | then asked II she meant
am not willing" She seemed confused aud ala not
understand. wrote: Do | understand that you DO
not desire hold any communication conversation
with him T. Sne wrote do not understand. there
fore think IL unnecessary make any further order In
the matter After she has said she certainly not
dcsirous of having anything to do with him.