Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-09
Why He Thinks That the Prisoner IL Sane
Other Witnesses Testify to schneider's
Service In the Coast survey-A Former
Prisoner Gives Evidence.

I
that the day he left the Jail. December I, he
babe Schneider goodbye, and that the man re-
piled: Il wish you well and hope that you will
never come back to this --dhole." Schneider
had once remarked to witness that he was all
right, that he had plenty of good
tobacco and did not care for any of
them in Jail. Schneider had twice
spoken unexpectedly of Mr. and Mrs. H. d.
] Walbridge, who testified against him on the
| trial, and had remarked that they had perjured
themselves and that they need not think they
were out of it. for ne had brothers who
would avenge his death If he should be
hung. Schneider sat most of the time on
| his cot with bowed head, smoking,
| during the last two three months, but when
| told that women were out in the rotunda of the
Jail would get up and go to his cell door or
window to look at them. The man had also
spoken disrespectfully of Col. Overton, another
government witness during the trial, and had
accused him Of perjury.
had KNOWN SCHNEIDER BEFORE.
To Mr.. Wilson the witness said he had known
| Schneider previous to the trial and had drank
with him several times. The witness stated
that he had heard of Schneider refusing to eat
He had not personally known of the necessity
of Schneider being persuaded to eat.
District Attorney Cole submitted to the court
the ground plan Of the Jail and the witness ex-
planned the position of Schueider's cell. One
Sunday in August Mr.. walbridge had visited
witness. and Schneider had afterward told wit
ness that he had seen him and Mr. Walbridge in
the rotunda.
Mr.. II. d. wALBRIDaE.
Mr.. Herman ID. Walbridge was next called to
the stand and asked if he ever visited r. T.
Cross at the Jail
Mr. Nattiugly objected. on the ground that
Cross could not be corroborated in that way.
The court, however, permitted the question.
Mr.. Wslbridge said that he had visited Cross
three times. and corroborated Cross as to seeing
hum in the rotuuda- He had seen Cross in July
August and October. He did not see Schneider
He and Col Overton we're witnesses for the
government on the trial of Schneider.
To Mr.. Mattingly Mr.. Walbridge said he fixed
the dates of his visits by letters received from
Cross.
W. H. DENNIS.
". II. Dennis, an assistant in the United
States coast survey, said he had charge of the
drawing division. He said he knew Schneider
in 1ss7-SS, who was then employed as a
draughtsman in the Office Witness some
times inspected his work, and considered him
good eopyist He saw nothing peculiar about
Schneider. and rather fancied him, considering
him rather pleasant young man.
To Mr.. Mattingly the witness said he did not
personally know why Schneider left the office.
ADoLPHUs LINDESKoHL
Adolphus Lindenkohl stated that he had
been draughtsmen in the coast survey office
since 1854 and had known Schneider while he
was in the Office. He examined some
Of his work and came personally in
contact with him. His work was that
of making tracing and was satisfactory. He
noticed that Schneider was impulsive and
thoughtless at times. The man answered ques-
| tions quickly, but apparently without much
reflection He always talked nationally and
coherentiy.
To Mr.. Mattinsly the witness said Schneider
| seemed IAN untutored child Of nature" He
| did not personally know why the man left the
ofhce. He was discharged, be understood
4. H. FOWLER.
E. H. Fowler said he had been in the coast
survey Office since 1879 Schneider was in the
same room with witness about eight months
Witness often assisted him in his work
| aud Schneider did very good work. The witness
did not consider him a weu-educated man.
He observed that he was a revengeful sort of a
man, but considered him a rational being. A
Mr.. Benton and Schneider worked on a repro
duction of the original L'Enfsnt map of the
city Of Washington. The map made for
use in the Potomac fats case.
To Mr.. Mattingly the witness said the work
on the LEnfant map required considerable
care. Schneider did very little work other than
tracing. Toward the latter part OF his employ
In bis duties. He made charges against witness
and others in the Office after being discharged
and the charges were investigated BY the Treas
ury Department. The man appeared to have a
very poor common school education.
Mr.. Mattingly-Any child might have done
| the work done by Schneider on the L'Enfant
map. might itnot?
The witpess-No, sir.
DIR. J.. WESLEY BovEE.
DR.. J. Wesley Bovee testified that he was a
physician and had practiced nearly eigh, years.
He said he was connected with the Providence
and Columbia hospitals, with the Washington
Asylum and ST. Ann Infant Asylum. He had
considerable experience In cases of supposed
or real insanity. He examined Schneider
three times in May at the request Of Dr.
McWilliams, the Jail MUSICIAN, as to the man g
state of health. He made the visits on the 22d,
9th and 3lst Of May. His visits lasted about
\ an hour each time. The man seemed disin-
| clined to talk, except as to what he termed the
persecution of Bradley and Cole. He would not
believe that the witness was physician, but
said he was detective sent by Bradley
/ and Cole. He said the food was poisoned. He
mentioned no other delusions. The man 9
general health appeared to be very good. Since
| that time he seemed to have lost about fifteen
pounds in weight He said he did not care to
eat 70 the witness he seemed to be very well
nou-ished.
Witness believed that the man was eating at
that time sufficiently to sustain life. He wore
trousers and undershirt, no dress shirt and had
his coat collar pulled up about his neck. The
witness believed that he was sane and that HE
seeming delusions were feigned. Witness be-
| heved the man to be sane now.
CROSS EXAMINATION.
To Mr.. Wilson DR.. Bovee said DR.. McWilliams
was distressed because Schneider was not TAX
ing sufficient food schnsider told witness on
the FIRST visit that the Jail officials were under
| the control Of Bradley and Cole, that the latter
| two wished to get rid Of him, and the officers
wished to obey them BY poisoning his food.
Witness at length convinced the man that
| he . friend, and on the second visit
| Schneider received him more cordially, invited
him into his dell and to take smoke with him.
| which witness did. The mans conversation
was substantially that of the first visit He
said that no slept none at all, but did not tell
| why he did not Witness was with the man about
half an hour on the third visit.
Felt the pulse and found II normal,
| full and regular. The man then still sus-
picious and again complained of the food being
poisoned He did not mention that his brother
WAS down on him nor did he say anything
about his invention. The mans hearing seemed
to be slightly defective. When the witness sug-
gested that he could safely eat food brought
him by his mother Schneider made no reply.
Mr.. wilson-Did you repeat the question?
| The Witnesn-NO sir