Omaha daily bee., 1890-12-16
THE NEWS In The BLUFFS.
Charles Meyers, a Horse Thief Has Fit
While on Trial in the District Court.
A MAN WHO WRITES WITH HIS TEETH.
How an Old Soldier Dcfies Misfor-
tune-Thc New Grand Hotel
A Young Business Mans
Strange Conduct.

Charles Meyers was on trial in the district
court yesterday on the charge Of stealing
hor sc and buggy from A. r. Clatterbuck, in
Garner township He had been at work for
Clatterbuck on his farm for two months.
One day when MIR. Clatterbuck had been
away from home for several days Meyers
hitched up the horse and buggy and started
to the city, saying he was sick and must see
a doctor. He got of one of the sons $3.50,
saying that he owed the doctor that amount,
and started off lie did not return, and in
vcstigation led to the discovery that he had
taken the rig to Omaha and there disposed of
it, giving a bill of sale in due form He was
arrested and brought back to this side for
trial.
The case made out by the prosecuti on was
very strong against him, and when he went
on the stand ne proceeded to tell what seemed
to be very timsey story in justification OF
his acts. He said in effect that he started to
drive over TO Omaha to see doctor there,
and when on or near the bridge he had fit
and fell out of the buggy. He was dragged
quite ways by the horse and badly bruised
and scratched. He came to, aud was helped
into the buggy and started on, out near the
Omaha end O the bridge he was taken with
another fit, and did not know anything more
until he woke up the next morning and found
himself in a hotel He went back to the
bridge ana by inquiry fOund that ne na0 sol u
the horse, and then he tried to hunt up the
ClatterbuclS boys who came to Omaha oaily to
sell vegetables. He could not find them, and
hence had no opportunity to explain, Tor
while hunting for them an officer who was
hunting for him arrested him He declared
that he knew nothing about making bill of
sale OF the horse. or OF any OF the clrcum-
stances after falling in this second fit. The
rig was recovered, aud the lap-robe in the
buggy had blood upon it, thus far corro-
bN, fall
| out of the buggy. His face also bore the
marks of violence of some sort.
| The story of the fits did not seem very con-
| sistent and lockers on were waiting to see
County Attorney Organ tear it to pieces by
| one OF his double-action crosseXamlnatons.
| Organ began firing questions at the defend
| ant and in less than five minutes there was
| evident much nervousness, then the fellow $
| eyes appeared to have strange stare and bis
articulation began to be somewhat incoher-
| cnt. The whisper went aroundqnickly that he
| was going to play the fit game on the stand
| ana all watched him eagerly. In moment
or Two his arms began twltchirg, and he was
| apparently becoming stupid. He gasped for
| drink of water. 1t was given him, all pro-
ceedings were suspended, and he was re-
| moved to an ante room, where he soon keelcd
| over in violent epileptic fit, writing on the
| floor, foaming at the mouth, and presenting
a horrible appearance. II became evident
| that there was no shamming. In a little time
| he became quiet, and soon after returned TO
| consciousness. Then his mind cleared up,
and while apparently weak and nervous he
was able to talk intelligently. He says that
| ever since boyhood he has been subject to
these fits. If the poor fellow has got to have
| fits, he could not have been more fortunate in
| the selection of time, for the exhibition on
the witness stand evidently had strong eff
feet, creating sympathy among all who saw
his sufferings, and going far towards corrobo-
| rating at least n portion of his story
| Owing to his illness the case was continued
until this morning when, If able to bear
further cross-eXamination he will probably
take the stand again. On coming out of his
| fit yesterday he expressed great dread of ap
| pearing in court again, the excitement and
nervous strain seeming to be the cause of tho
|