New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-03-13
HIS EYES WERE CHARMING.
WHY MISS pAHCoAsr MARRIED VAN DORM.

! BAD MAN BECAUSE HE LOVES MONEY
A large audience occupied the Supreme Court room
in which the investigation before SherPs jury was
continued Yesterday in regard to the sanity of Minnie
the deaf and dumb daughter Of George Paucoast whose
marriage with William II. Van Dorm her father seeks
to have declared null and void the ground that she
was not legally. capable of entering into the contract
when it was made She was present accompanied by
her brother and aunt and the principal interest OF the
occasion centred in her examination. An eager listener
throughout the session the who claims her as
his wife.
Dr. Rufus p Lincoln testified that he had attended
the deaf for the last twelve years and that her
health was feeble and her mental condition below that
OF child of ordinary intelligence seven years Old Her
will power was defective and she had little reasoning
power This testimony given in answer to ques-
tons by Julien I. Davies, Mr.. PaDcoasts COUNSEL
William f. Howe who represented Mr. van Dorn
crosse amined DIR. Lincoln without ehcng anything
AT variance with his direct evidence.
Miss Louisa Archer aunt of the young woman, cor
roborated previous witnesses in regard to the feeble"
ness of mind and body Of the latter. She said that
Miune was incapable of taking OF herself and was
never allowed to 20 out unattended. Her screaming
fits were sometimes violent. The last one occurred Oh
February 10. At that time Minnie threw hand-mlr
ror at the witness br, akng IT. and also an embossed
toilet case She hvld. She had threatened 10
take her own life. Sometimes for two or three weeks
she would not communicate with her mother or 10 the
witness. She consdcrate III her treatment OF
her father VII in illl cath. The witness always
thought that she crazy. she would read the news
papers but could never remember one day What she
had reat the day before She told her lather ana
mother about her marriage but never told the witness
The next witness was Minnie herself who quietly
took the stand and waited demdrely while the lawyers
discussed the best method OF taHnS her tesun9ny;
She was plainly Dire sscd not IN the least excited
and acted il the proceedings did not concern he
particularly When ex-Judge Requier tried to speak
to her by moving his lips, she did not understand h
8 do YOU know where you are !" and she wrote
quickly do not understand"
Juror wrote. Are you married y anu she re
piled: were married" ,
" that's marriage certificate" exclaimed BIT
Howe trumphantly at which there was laughter
The examination went on as follows;
To whom you married-what Is the name oil
your husband ~ .
do not understand what is the name of your hus-
"What is the of the person to whom you were
married W -
" ] DO not understand what is the person.
"What is your husbands name E
" Mr. William II. Van DORM
aThat's enough for me, cried Mr. Howe.
" Do YOU live with him I" was next written.
No was the rapidly Pene,ILea reply
" | do not understand"
" DO you know why you are IN THIS room y
do not understand
" Wv hen we're you marrcdP
Last tn OF November"
what did you marry for ~
do not understand you marry Tor
" DO you know what divorce Is ~
A." ! do not understand"
WHY do Won not live with your husband :"
Because he is very bad man. am afraid OF him."
" What is elOpemeutW
Ran away Laughter.
"W hat is your age"
" ! do not understand"
How old are yOuV
! am thirty years old
" When were you born ~
" In January Is, 1856"
"Why did you marry him p
Because | was loving. His eyes we're very charm |
ing
= DO you love this man %
" No, but changed my mind"
"Why do you say your husband is q bad man I"
Because he loves money. lie often asks to borrow
my money
Mr.. Howe sadly.
Nj Dawes suggested that the witness be tested on
her knowledge OF her affairs and questions were put to
her follows:
What city do you live in ~
" live in New York.
What State is the City of New York in ~
I" L. 81
viii you add up these figures ~ placing l, 2, g.
t. ,, q. T. and : in a row.
" cannot count, because forget
d" Have you any money ;"
4" haVe-shOrt in money!
" How much money have you |"
" do not remember
" Where - your money!
" In my bureau drawer'
&" Have YOU any money in 4 bank V
Yes, have some money in banks
What banks "
do not undrrs stand"
How many dolls have you r. Suggested by q !
juror
One doll but it is old" Laughter
At this point the case adjourned until r. m
on Tuesday. After the adjournment the youn. oman |
taken away by her relatives Van porn regarded |
her inteuty bat made attempt to speak wI:h her by
the sign language winch. he says, she taught him.