The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-10
SMILER PUT On EXHIBITION.
FURIo UsLY BBRA TING HIS PROSECUTOR
IN THE COURT ROOM

Thief, RiGanIst, and Woman Murderer,
with = Defence of Epilepuc IHeanity on
the Latter Charge, He Raves "a Sample.
Harris A. Smller, the ex-salvatlon Army
Lieutenant, who IL on trial In the General Ses-
sions for numbering his mistress at S4 Seventh
avenue, took the witness stand yesterday In
his own behalf His defence is epileptic insan-
fly. lie went along smoothly In the direct ex-
animation, replying to the questions OF his
counsel Lawyer Halligan, promptly and clear
w. He testified that he is so years OF age and
that Of late years he has worked In news
paper mailing agency at 220 William street.
When ho was II years OF age he married Mar
gRrst Eeers in Harlem. Five months later
she abandoned him. Six years ago he
was married to his lawful wife, Eliza
beth Gates He had two children. one
OF whom died. Last spring his wife left
him. and he went to live with Maggie smiler
in furnished room at II Prince street. She
used to get drunk. and when he reproved her
she used to 20 to Ella Wilson's house at 2s4
Seventh avenue. He had taken her homo from
there three times. On the afternoon Of April q
little girl handed him "a, nStS iL9m ni maggie,
ns he weDR 10 %soH oand
Maggie there in her nIgh,s9Tpp and sssed her
Hush I'm afraid" just then he heard
mSns voice in the bedroom sas ing rTi Is;y
there was pistol shot. and he ran. out. He
did not know whore he went or what happened
6imsoli in te in the F~SntictG street. station
The instant that Assistant District Att1rney
appearance and manner hanged; he became
sulsn aud distracted. and hAed us eyes npon
eher snappsh9 or IN that COULD mt
be hsa5d His ana toSS failed fm lin or me he
from his portfolio. no admitted that his flrst
marriage. to Maggie keers. was not voluntary.
compelled to. marry. her, AID that he went
thrEush the fern Of mar pta1,t WITH Magic
Blackwei's Island. In the mission in Thlrtieth
street; and swore then that he was Whoever.
that qG sf H the S@ S SsfEe Smor
nS PSh TeS Ni A w Wilson'S me d9or
Then It seemed TO strike Smiler that he had
remembered too much for an insane man. and
Now. nsniier." asked Mr. Golf. did you not
take out the box Of cartridges that was after
the hallway tside Of Mrs, Wilson rooms and
carefully reload your pistol :, ,.
about a pistol. l didn't shoot any one" he
Mr.. Goff repeated the question six times. and
repetition seemed 10 enraee smiler and
You are a fool Judge can't stop this and
Are you o 1901 T. asked mr.. GOu.
No; but You are" was the herce retort
Are yoa crazy ?" asked IKE MI Mr.; Con:
looked at Mr.. Goff as though he intended to
etrike him. Three court attendants stepped
between the angry man and Mr.. Con.
blapdly inquired Mr. Con; ''
No. but you're fool. and you're crazy"
WAS the angry reioinder.
ry q b1 SIpes no h
I'm not SlAmmllR You've right call
~ did not call yon fool. but do call you a
IT am not thief" was the prompt re ply, and
the turious man seemed about to throw him
eons6as s1d He s1eydsd G
,"PeFhaPs was" replied smlIer:. Then sud-
Sp his y and he
court room. Judge Fitzgerald interposed and |
asked him a series OF questions as to the nature
Of his duties in the mailing agency and no
But ,Vhen Mr.. Gotf again asked him whether
he did not rslQsd bis pistol qst before
and he stamped his feet and shouted his re-.
plies: depouneing Mr.. Con as fool and q
BE- obtained from him. so Mt; Cor said mildly:
You don't want to quarrel with me. Smler.
Questions in the discharge OF my dutyi"
We are friends them"
DO you still consider me foolf"
II do-a crazy fool"
We'll that will do. You may CO."
Nav go homo. Judge ?" asked Smiler. as
he stepped down from the witness stand.
In rebuttal MIR. GOT called Capt Grant, Ser |
Esant Hogan and Doorman Cummings OF the !
Twentieth street police station. and Policemen |
Madden and Moloney. who arrested Smiler
They testified that whom ho was taken TO the
station house he appeared to have been drink
ing bnt he answered all questions promptly
and intelliRently. He asked Can't. Grant
whether he was sure that Maggie Smiler was |
dead. and whom the Captain answered that she
was he said: Then I'm ready to die. too. II
she's dead" When he got to his cell Doorman
Cummings asked him why he had killed his !
wife. He replied: She's - anyhow
Then he took of his shoes. lay down upon the |
cot. and fell sound asleep
Lawyer Halligan summed up for the defence
and court adjourned.