Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-07
POST OFFICE ROBBERY
The Trial Of Harry Darby Continued
Today.


The trial Of Harry d. Darby for violating
from letter q. the Washington post Office
April last was continued in the Criminal
Court yesterday after TIE SrAR's reportclosed
Charles d. wentzell. formerly postmaster at
Harper's Ferry, Va, identified the letter in
question, saying he mailed it April 6, last year;
that II contained s2426L
This closed the case for the government.
FOR THE DEFENSE
John A. Anadale testified that he never re-
garded Darby as perfectly well man; that he
complained Of dyspepsia and pains in the head
ne was consistent member Of the church
(hamiine ME- and visited the sick. He had
noticed that his conduct was peculiar and he
mao remarked that he did not seem 70 be in his
right mind He did not think Darby compre-
nended What he was doing because OF unsound-
ness OF mind On cross-examination witness
saio ne knew defendant when he kept q store
and he was then restless and complained Of
sickness. He believed that Darby at times did
not know right from wrong
M. Jas. A Conner gave similar testimony.
TESTIMONY TODAY.
This morning the trial was resumed and VIM.
h Proctor testified that the defendants char
acter was good, that he was a consistent men,
Der Of Hamline NJ E. church. was sickly and
prior to the date Of the arrest he took quinine
and opiates frequently.
On cross-examination witness said that ne
regarded him a. an imbecile and of unsouud
mind, and said some of the evidences were his
going to work when sick, singing mournful
hymns when q livelier one would have been
more appropriate, agreeing with whatever
was said, &c. He had not considered Mr.. Darby
capable of attending to business for some
months and would not have put any of his
business in his hands. He made up his mind
to this six months prior TO April He would
| not swear that Darby was insane, but he was
weak-minded and witness doubted II he had as
much intelligence As an average child Of twelve
years; he was q wreck.
Mrs. E. @. Maxwell testified that she saw de-
PENDANT the Thursday before the .'affliction"
and he was then quite sick, and that morning
he had attempted to go to the office, but was
not able. He complained of the effects of the
medicine and said he didn't want ito make a
medicine shop Of his stomach" He said he
| was suffering with the dyspepsia; had grown SO
thin that he was ashamed OF himself; then,
after taking cup of tea, he went out, saying he
believed that the condition of his teeth was
about all that allied him. He remained out
about an hour, but did not have them ex-
| tracted. He said he had the diabetes, catarrh
and other ailments. She saw him the Sunday
before at church, in class meeting; he was gem
orally sociable and he was then reserved. HIS
cheeks were then red; very unusual in hun.
He appeared unusually social with persons
| be did not know.
On cross-examination witness said she
| thought be knew right from wrong, but "a
mans mind might Slip" and al the time his
mind was impaired by disease.
Thos. B. Turner testified to the good char
acter OF defendant; that he was a consistent
| member OF the church; that he was addicted to
taking quinine and morphine, complained Of
| his stomach, head, &c. Witness the 10th OF
/ July, 1885, passed him on 7th street and he
| stoned him when he I'D. said he went To
| work, but they had sent him home and he was
| somewhat absent minded; and be noticed after
ward that he did not appear rational. He had
| known him some years and had noticed a
| marked change in bis conduct.
| Henry w. Horren gave similar testimony,
| saying at times he believed defendant was un-
accountable for what he did.
| Jas. Z. Brooks, clerk in the registry division,
! testified to Mr.. Darby's character being good
and to Darby complaining almost constantly of
headache, dyspepsia and catarrh- He had OBJ
| served some odd habits, such as sticking his
| tongue out and showing his teeth, writing
many letters, &c. He complained of headache
on the 9Th OF April.
On cross-eKamination witness said he did not
regard him as insane.
Henry s. Thompson testified to the character
and peculiar conduct of defendant at times and
his physical condition, corroborating the pre-
ceding witnesses. On crosse Examination wit
ness said he had considered him insane for si1
years, but not dangerous. One of his delusions
| was that he thought he knew more about music
| than he did.
| George E. Gartrell testified that he lived ad
joining defendant and knew that he was sick ly
| and emaciated
DIR. ]. o. Adams testified that be attended
| MIR. Darby and the only strange conduct he had
noticed was that he once raised an umbrella
when 1t was not raining. From investigation
| since the crime and from information received
| he was satisfied that he was insane