The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-22
E%X-ALDERMAN MCABE.
His Friends Make an Effort to Show that Ho
Is in a State of Mental Imbecility.

NEW YORK, Oct. 2l-Ex-Aldermnn McCabt
was arraigned to-day for trial in the Court Of
General Sessions. There was a large crowd Of
interested spectators in court, and the corridors
leading to the court were thronged with people
unable to gain admission. McCabe sat with his
wife and counsel in front of tho bar. He looked
pale and careworn. When Judge Cowing took
his seat the district attorney called McCabe's
case. His counsel asked for an adjournment, in
order that associate counsel, who was arguing a
case in another court, might be present.
Shortly after this the associate counsel, w. F.
Howe. made his appearance in court and sub
mi:ted the following affidavit, made 10y DIR. Ham"
mond, late Surgeon general of the army, and q
recognized authority on mental disorder. IL
reads:
This afternoon l made a personal examination of
Francis McCabc. confined in Lmdlow-street Jail. I
find that he is in a mental condition approaching i'm.
heclhty. His mind is wandering, and it appears to be
difficult for him to collect his ideas so as to give
prompt and coherent answers to simple questions. Ills
mem DRY is reflective in regard to the names of persons
whom he knows familiarly-not that he actually for
gets them, but lie is obliged to hesitate for some time
before they come to his recollection. In regard to
events of recent date there is Me same difficulty. He
sits quietly, as l learned fr11n his wife and kesper, all
day, without saying a word unless spoken TO. and
during my visit of nearly an hour he made no remark
uIl1eS ur6W II OuJC MIN Dy a question. he APP
peared to have no clear perception of his situation.
OF course, most of these morbid appearances might
have been assumed, but there were two of decisive
Importance that were altogether beyond his control.
The right pupil is larger than the other, and there is
muscular %twitching of the tongue. What have OBJ.
served, taken in connection with the accounts of him,
given by persons who have long known him. and ths
fact OF his having received, some four or FIVE years
since, a severe injury of the skull, leads me to the con.
clusion that there is reasonable ground to suspect the
existence of incipient insanity, properly known as
paresis. or general paralysis Of the insane. IF he is
not deceiving me. he is undoubtedly of unsound mind.
LII he were AN ordinary patient, with no inducement to
him a lunatic. Under the circumstances, / can say
no more than is contained in the foregoing statement.
With further opportunity to examine him, l think G
definite opinion could be given.
WILLIAM A. HAMMOND
A petition from Mary E.. McCabe, the defend.
ants wife, was also read, praying the court to
appoint a commission TO inquire into her hus-
bands sanity.
DR.. W. H. Hall, in IN affidavit, said that in
1882 McCabe was thrown from O carriage aud
was doubtful If he ever recovered.
Another affidavit, from c. J. Farray. of No.
l02 West Third street, said that McCabe had
acted like an insane person for the last four
years.
Judge Cowing announced that he would hav0
a jury impaneled to try the question of Nc
Cabe's mental condition.
District Attorney MARITIME was not prepared to
proceed at once, desiring an opportunity TO have
the defendant examined by Drs. e. Mcdonald
and Allen MCLEAN Hamilton. The defendants
counsel agreed to be in readiness for the trial on
one days notice.