The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-06-20

Sealed Verdict is Murder in the Second
DeSree--Scenes In the Court Yesterday
DR.. Van Nuys Says Barney Gibbons is
Insane-MOther of Mrs. Gibbons Tells
the Story of Her Daughters Wrongs
DIR. st. John Gives an Opinion.
Interest in the Gibbons murder trial
yesterday centered in the evidence of
DR.. VanNuys, assistant superintendent
of the Observation insane asylum
He had made two examinations TO de-
termine the condition of Barney Glib
bons' mind and the defense had an
nounced that he was their most impor-
tant witness and there was therefore a
desire on the part Of many to hear
his version Of the disputed question as
TO whether the defendant in this case
in sane-or insane.
Barney Gibbons was the same ap-
parent unconcerned witness to the pro-
ceedings, the only evidence of interest
on his part was when his wife's mother,
Mrs. Pat Mcdonald, took the stand
Mrs. Mcdonald did not speak very
loud and Barney moved up closer and
listened attentively TO every word, and
when DIR. St. John was on the stand
Barney walked over and whispered in
John Adams ear which was the first
time he spoke to his council since the
trial commenced. Mr.. Adams told
reporter for the Eagle after court ad-
journed~. that Barney said nothing in
reference to ST. Johns testimony, that
what he said had no reference to the
trial. The reporter found Barney
W. fF.AF h 4
court room and went TO him and said:
Barney, what do you think of the
outlook"
80, 1 can not tell much about it,
Il see they have Mrs. Mcdonald for
a Witness"
Yes, l wanted them to bring her. 1
wanted to hear her tel about my wife
tell about my wife, but she did not. do
it"
Why did you not go on the stand as
a witness in the case?"
They would not let me- They said
l was not competent, and guess that
is right l am not competent to judge
the dead. There are points that / can
not understand"
You have always blamed your son
James. Now could you not see that
he is your friend, and only told the
TRUTH"
Then Barney seemed pleased and
said:
Jimmie is all right; isn't he?"
DR.. Van Mugs was the first witness
called lie had been sick and looked
pale and weak when he walked in and
took the witness chair in front OF the
jury His testimony was, in substance
as follows:
My name is ]. D. vanNuys. I am
assistant superintendent of the Osso-
watomie insane asylum. l have been
q practicins physician "A years and a
graduate of Jefferson Medical college
There are a [ this time about 700 insane
people in the institution 1 have been
there for two years and have treated
patients for insanity in my practice
before L took the position in the asy-
lum.
Il examined Barney Gibbons with a
view TO determine his mental condition
before he was tried in the probate court
j made two examinations. From the
facts obtained in these examinations
L came 10 the conclusion that he was
insane. l based my conclusions upon
what | learned OF his present condition
and his past history. l inquired into
his family history and as to his own
habits and sickness during his life. l
also conducted the examination with a
view TO ascertaininS whether he had
any illusions or halucinations. l found
that he had fixed illusions and haluci-
patiOns-
Il ind from what [ can learn of his
parents that Barney Gibbons pToba bly,
Inherited, / think he did inherit an un-
stable nervous system His habits have
hot been OF the best and that tended 10
render his nervous system still more
unstable l also found that he had a
sever attack of Ia grippe about two
years ago and in his condition that
had tendency to precipitate insanity.
We have a number Of cases OF insanity
IN the asylum caused by la grippe
There are many causes that may
produce insanity Such as overwork:
anxiety; overheating; intemperance
and what is more frequent it may be
inherited.
Taking Barney Gibbons family his
tory in competition with his own sick
ness and l think 1t very probable that
he was insane on the 18th day Of last
January, at which time it is claimed he
shot his wife, but i can not tell that for
certain"
In his crOSS-eXaminatiOn DR.. Van
Mugs said that he thought perhaps the
defendant knew that he had done a
wrong. lie said that Gibbons admit
ted to him mat he had done a wrong:
that he had violated the law of God
and man. but he explained that Glib
understand that his act was wrong
but AT the same time not have been
able 10 resist the promptinSs of his
Authorizations
DR. NanNuys also stated that an in
sane person might have his precep-
tine faculties which would present OBJ
jectS TO the mind but that the desease
mind may receive the objects in the
wrong light. The object may be prop
erly presented but wrongfully interpre-
ted.
County Attorney Davis tried TO get
DR.. Van Mugs 10 emphasize the fact
that Barney Gibbons knew right and
wrong but the witness gave 1t as his
opinion that one part Of the brain
could not be diseased without affecting
the mind in its entirety. An insane
person will do many things that seem
unaccountable.
Mrs. Mary Mcdonald. mother of Mrs.
Gibbons. was the next witness called.
She is a cool and deliberate old lady
and there is a kindness in her voice
which at once won the esteem Of the
hearers and when she had told her
story the attorneys did not seem to
think that anything more could be
gained by pressing questions and both
County Attorney Davis and Mr.. John
Adams said that will do. Her teSti-
mony was as follows:
Ny name is Mary Mcdonald. /
live west Of the city out on the Cow
skin. Mrs. Kate Gibbons was my dau-
ghter and / have known Barney ever
since he married my daughter. about
twenty-iour Years ago / did not see
him very often. Sometimes 1t would
be six months and sometimes two
months.
After they moved up on the West
Side | saw Barney oftener because il
vas on our way 10 town and when we
came in on business or 10 church we
would stop 10 see them The last time