Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-06
DECIDED TO BE INSANE.
The Testimony of w. Waters Convince
the Jury Of His Mental Unsoundness.

diford W. Waters. a well-known builder Of
Georgetown, was before q fury summoned
under . writ de lunatico inquirendo. This is
the second inquiry as to Mr.. Waters sanity,
the first, held last July, resulting after a four
days examination in q finding that he was
sane. He became an inmate of St. Elizabeth's
Hospital April %, 1888, but was, at the in
stance of his wife, released May 9, 1888,
he having in the meantime become much i'm
proved. The following January he went over
to the hospital and asked to be admitted and
they took him in. On July 20 last. after four
days examination he was decided to be sane
and he was released about o'clock that day.
At 8 clock the next evening Mr.. Waters went
back to the hospital and saw DR.. Godding, to
whom he said that he was not competent' to
look out for himself and asked to be held
in custody. He was thereupon taken in
and there was an understanding between DR..
Godding and the patient that he should not ask
to BIO discharged pending the confirmation OF
the finding of July last. The authorities, hay-
ing no legal right to detain him. these new
proceedings were instituted, and this morning
Assistant Attorney NJ. N. Richardson appeared
for the District and Mr.. A. A. Birney Tor the
alleged lunatic. .-.
THE TESTIMONY ToDAY
Drs. Stack and Patterson testified to the
facts of the insane decisions Of Waters and
said that in their opinion Waters was a fit SUBJ
ject for the hospital.
Officer Frank testified that some months
since Waters came to him and stated that he
could not manage his affairs and he wanted a
permit for the hospital, saying it was the only
place for him and he gave it to him. He had
seen some OF his letters, and from them as we'll
his talk he had no hesitancy in saving that
he was insane and that he should be in the
hospital.
Mr.. Birney said the purpose was to arrive at
the knowledge of the truth and he knew no
better way OF aiding the jury than to put Mr..
Waters on the stand.
MR.. WATERS OWN TESTIMONY SETTLES THE CASE
Mr.. Waters testified that he had been in bust
ness in Georgetown from 1864 to January, 1889,
when he went to the hospital.
Here he asked to be put under oath, and, TAX
ing tho oath, continued. lie said that in April,
1888. he WAS taken ont Of his house by Oificer
Riley and another person and taken to the sta
ton; remained all night and in the morning
asked for breakfast and an officer gave
o'clock. During the day several persons
called and asked if he knew them and no
answered them. His wife then came down and
asked If he wanted to 60 to the hospital, which
was the frs. he heard Of the hospital, and Mr..
Craig spoke up, saying they had a permit.
He said that if he had to go they would have
TO talk to him. and they took him there. He
then described his treatment there-one whole
week i'll the strong cell being tied with cords
to the head and foot of the bed. Ho said that
uncle to make a will and he then branched
off on family affairs. in which
he spoke of his brother having
been stolen and Of his difficulties in getting an
education. Just to think, he said, "of state
like Virginia passing q law imposing fine OF
IS for selling spelling book" He then spoke
Of his business, asserted that the knights OF
Labor had conspired against him and stood at
his gate ready to kill him and that the pope
had sent word to Cardinal McCloskey to have
him crushed.
This was enough for the jury and on closing
his testimony he was adiudged insane. ;. !.
Thanked Him for SENDING Her to jail.
Judge Mills made one person happy today.
That individual was a colored woman named
Charlotte Becker, who is more than pleased
because the government is going to feed her
for month free Of charge, and she is satisfied
with that treatment even il it
il in the county Jail. Charlotte was in
South Washington this morning quiet and peace
able. but she objected to Special Officer Red
monds making an arrest, and she assaulted him.
Ten dollars or thirty days was what Judge
Mills said after hearing the testimony. Thank
you, Judge" shouted the woman. I'm satisfied,
can live and have good time that long,
A Fight on the Oyster Wharf
James Reeves and VIM. Faunce. who have
business about the oyster wharf, had fight
there yesterday, and Reeves was arrested by
Officer Treadwen. Each, said that the other
was drunk. Reeves called Fauncc bad name
and the latter struck him. Judge Mills told
Reeves that it served him right. Later in the
day Reeves threw a large stone at Faunce, but
fortunately did not injure him. For throwing
the stone sentence OF sixty days was imposed.
COlored Candidate for Police Sergeant,
1t is understood that prominent candidate
for promotion to a sergeantcy fpolice il Officer
McNeal, q colored man who has been on the
force for sixteen years. McNeal has heretofore
served in the first second and third precincts
and is now detailed with the chain gang. He
is man Of gigantic build. He has so conducted
himself as to make good record as an officer
1t 10 understood that Secretary Blaine has rec
commended bis appointment sergeant.
character OF the officer. as to what effect his
appointment will have on the force.
Lunacy Cases.
Judge Cox today in the Equity Court con-
frmed the inquisitions of Iunacy in the cases
OF Susan Haines, Samuel Collect, Selma J:
Wheatley, Annie Mcclure, Abraham Lohn,
alias Johnson and c. +. Whittier.
The marshal held juries under writs de lu-
natico inquirepdo in the cases OF Jacob Rich
ardson, Michael BY, alias Bevy, and Sandiford
W. Waters and they were adjudsed insane.
Justice Cox on Duty. .
Judge ". 8. Cox has returned from his sum-
mer vacation, spent at Narragansett Pier, ia
improved health and today entered upon his
duties in the Equity Court.
Fined for Cruelty to Animals.
Thomas Sidney, for requiring horse to draw
too large load yesterday, was fined % or
fifteen days on the farm by Judge Mills today.
Charles Foster. charged with similar offense,
paid q like fine. -, - -
GEORGETOWN. -.
Doc IN Hrs Boor.-The frantic endeayors
OF o colored man to extract from his boot
dog which he said was in there caused crowd