Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-10
WAS HE SHAMMING2
Did Schneider Make Believe That
He Was Orazy2
IMPORTANT TESTIMONY
Given by a Witness At the Insanity Inquiry
Today-What He Says Schneider Told Him
in an Interview at the JaiI-Other Wit
nesses and Their Testimony.

Howard J. Schneider stands sentenced 70 be
hanged one week from today. the 18th instant,
but, as was stated in The STAR several days
ago, there is no probability Of the man being
executed on that day, even should the Court in
General Term. which is now inquiring as to the
mental condition Of the prisoner. decide that
he is sane. 1t is not unlikely that the decision
of the court as to the mans mental eondi-
ton will OF necessity be delayed until
after the day set for the execution.
Hence il is understood that Schneider
VIII be brought before the Criminal Court
some time between now and Friday next for
the purpose OF again postponing his eXecu ton
to such day a will permit the Court in Gen
eral Term to give to the case0l the time neces-
sary In reaching a conclusion. Should the case
be concluded today it is very doubtful if the
conclusions OF the three experts appointed
oy the court could be handed
In before the end OF next week. Or. Chaplin.
one OF these three experts. stated to a reporter
OF The STAR this morning that he thought it
would require at least week for him and his
two associates to prepare their conclusions in
the case. These conclusions will be submitted
to the court in the form of q written statement.
Mr.. C. CHRISTIAN SCHNEIDER.
Mr.. Christian Schneider, a brother Of the
prisoners father. was the first witness called
by the district attorney this morning. He said
Gottlieb Schneider was some wears older than
witness. He said he as intimate with his
brother as one brother usually is with
another. He said his brothers health
was comparatively good, and until about
a year ago his brother visited his (witnessD
store every now and then He came alone and
would converse intelligently and upon general
subjects. HIS memory was particularly good
better than that of witness many times. Some
times be would become excited, generally on
the subject of the late war. Witness never con-
sldered his brother to be insane although
he was childish in his WAYS. Witness remem-
Dered his brother stay on the Maryland farm,
but never knew him to have any delusion.
sometimes he would use very profsne language.
something very unusual in his brothers con-
duct His physical condition was good, al
though he was somewhat pale from remaining
In the house for the greater part of the
ume- His eyes were bright. Wit
ness never noticed anything irrational OF
wandering in his brothers conversation. His
brother readily recognized his acquaintance
and witness believed that he never was unable
TO transact business. Witness had four brothers
None were ever insane. Never heard any talk
in the family OF his brother Gottlieb being in
sane.
cRoss-ExAMISHD.
To Mr.. Mattingly Mr.. Schneider said that his
brother before he ceased business was a quiet.
industrious man Of an inventive faculty. His
brother worried great deal during the war in
connection with q contract with the govern
ment for furnishing fuses. His sister had told
hin that his brother would grow very excited
at times and would use loud and profane Ian
guage. He supposed they took his brother to
the country because of his health Since going
out of business in 1862 witness had not known
of his brother engaging in business. He was COM
fortably fixed and witness never personally knew
why his brother ceased business. He supposed
1t was because Of his health. His brothers
mental impairment was never talked Of BY the
family to witness knowledge. II their brother
Louis name was mentioned his brother would
grow very excited and would use profane Ian
guage and accuse Louis of cheating him (Gott-
heb. His brother was now childish. due wit
ness thought. to old age. Witness hardly
thought. however, that his brother was compe-
tent to carry on such a business as that carried
on by witness, for instance. He did not believe
him to he insane by any means. His brother
generally talked Of matters occurring many
years ago. forty or fifty.
His brother said Mr. Schneider had been
childish since his sickness in 1862. On his farm
his brother worked some, mostly in the garden
and planting trees. When he talked Of his
brother Louis his talk was hardly rational
WHY HIS BROTHER WAS KEPT OFT OF SIGHT.
Mr.. Mattingly-Don't you know that it has
been the effort Of your brothers family to
conceal his condition from observation.
The witness-I think it would have been bet
ter for him had they taken him ont MORE
Mr.. Schneider finally said that his brothers
family did appear determined that his brother
should not be seen. but why he did not know
He imagined it might have been due 10 his
carelessness in dress. He supposed thew did
not wish his brother TO be seen. Witness had
never visited Howard in Jail. Howard got angry
with witness because he would not trust him
lthe prisoner or have anything to do with
him. Witness had told a Mr.. Kennedy of
Royce Marean and Mr.. Burkett that he
(witness) would not trust his nephew for cleo
trical supplies. Howard had threatened to sue
witness. For what witness did not know
Mr.. Mattingly asked the witness il he had adj
vised Mr.. Quimby, book dealer. not to trust
Will Schneider, but the court decided that the
question was not pertinent TO the question at
issue. Mr.. Schneider said be had not however
The witness said he had received many COM
plants concerning electrical work done by
Howard Schneider. some people imagining that
witness was responsible for the work Howard
had said that he had served with witness, which
Yves not true.
To the district attorney the witness said that
when his brother went out OF business he had
three or four houses and S12, 900 in bonds The
witness stated that be had nothing TO do with
Howard because he (Howard) had such an ugly
disposition and because Of his trying to injure
the business Of witness.
GEORGE A. THOMAS.
George A. Thomas, q clerk in the District
Commissioners Office, said he in the en-
ploy Of Mr. Christian Schneider for fourteen
years, from 1871 to 1885. and had known Colt
Heb Schneider during that time. Witness had
seen Gottlieb Schneider frequently in his
brothers store and had conversed with him
often. Mr.. Schneider conversed nationally, and
witness never saw anything in his conduct or
conversation to lead witness to consider him
other than q sane person.
To Mr.. Mattingly the witness said Mr.
Schneider would always yield to positive evil
dence He had never heard him use profans
language and never saw him grow more than
ordinarily excited in conversation.
SECRETARY JOHN I. DOYLE.
Secretary John I. Doyle Of the civil service
commission said he knew the prisoner, and said
that Schneider had been examined three times
under the rules OF the commission--March 3.
1884, as tracer, when he received q marking of
rs; June 30, 1885, as a draughtsman, when he
failed to pass. receiving a marking OF "a, and
December 26, 1888, as a typographical
draughtsmsn. when he received a
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