The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-09-03
BY A SILVER PLATE
Which Has Sunk In Upon His
Brain,
DR.. DICKSON HAS BECOME CRAZY.

His Examla alton in the Probate Court
Reveals Some Curious Phases OF His
Disease-DrinkingL Liquor Has Much
Aggravated 1t.
DR.. David II. Dickson ia a magnificent
looking man with a strong face partially
covered by a full beard. He was de-
clared insane yesterday afternoon in the
probate court
The doctor and his wife and boy came
to Topeka from Denver last spring and
bought property at 404 Locust street,
He served through the war and
during an engagement had a part
of his skull on the back portion of his
head carried away by a piece of she'll
This was replaced by silver plate, aud
this has pressed on his brain until this,
with the excessive use of intoxicants,
has made him insane. The unfortunate
man has drank heavily in order to ease
his sufferings.
Two or three operations were per-
formed in August to try and lift the
plate, but he has not got any better
lie has been drinking almost constantly
lately. He would walk along Kansas
avenue with his or year old boy with
him to carry the bottle, and has often
times he has been arrested by the police
for drunkenness but it did no good. He
merely paid his fine and got drunk
again. The mans memory is particular
ly good, and he took pains to demon
strate this to the jury. He has talked to
his boy a great deal about the bible
since his mind began weakening, and
the neighbors have heard him preaching
to his son, az times upholding the bible
the next moment cursing it
The doctor fancies he is something of a
lawyer. He cross- examined every wit
ness, and prefaced every question with
sly on may now state to the court and to
the jury" and used such expressions as
what, If any," and ION what particular
occasion was this" He also wanted to
have Deputy Sheriff Dan Jones sworn
after the trial
DR.. w. S. Lindsey testified to having
attended DR.. Dickson, and having made
diagnosis of the case. He thought he
was insane and liable to do somebody
violence.
DR.. and Mrs. Dickson have been mar
ried seven years. She said he had d sim
liar attack in Denver a year ago.
Once during his recent derange-
ment he put his arm around
her neck aud said, LET US die
together" But she did not want to. She
said he went to Kansas City on August
II and % to have operations on his head
performed
J. F. Ungles, neighbor, testified that
he had smelled liquor on DR.. Dickason's
breath and that at one time he had
preached a sermon to his son so loud he
could hear it across the street
On cross examination the doctor was
very careful to bring out the point that
| VIZ q nf M haG A
UngIes smeIled his breath and heard the
sermon.
He then said: do you remember
what took for my text?'
Il do"
"Was it not the shortest verse in the
bible, Jesus wept?'"
sit was"
"Did not have the boy read this. and
also the rest of the chapter in explana-
toni"
yes"
This is sample of the doctors scheme
of defense.
The best witness of the afternoon was
Mrs. c. NJ. Smiley, music teacher liv-
ing next to the accused. She said he
| turned his wife and child out of doors
| on one occasion. One night she was
awakened by the loud tones of the doe
tor commanding his son to get up. After
he did rise Mr. Dickson didn't want
him to do anything, buewent to sleep
again.
Mrs. G. L. Willburn had heard him
preaching to his son. He had told the
boy if he could get any of the Topeka
ministers to resign he would fill their
! pulpits He also talked of hiring Hamil-
ton hall. During one sermon he had
talked to the boy about the golden calf
"Was that not the subject of the sun
! day school lesson on that same day?'
asked the doctor
81 do not remember" replied the wit
ness.
"Well, if you can remember some
things you can others If you would
read your lesson you could remember
All of the Witnesses testified to hi
drinking. They thought it unsafe fol
him to % at large.
The jury declared him insane, and hi
was taken to the county Jail to avail
word from the asylum. where he will be
taken if there is room.