Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1896-07-27
THE WAYMURDER TRIAL.

Marshal Way for the murder of his
wife. The evidence heretofore given
in this paper established the facts in
regard to the killing, and the defense
were lust beginning their testimony.
Their plea was that the respondent
was insane, and showed what had
been the treatment of the wife by
Way for some years past. He had
made many threats against her life,
and the evidence tended to show that
his treatment had been very harsh.
Marcellus Way, brother of the re-
spondent, testified in regard to the
history of the family, telling of the
character of his father and the condi-
ton of his mother in her earlier years
while the family of children was small
His father had been addicted to drink
and his mother for a long time had
fits. He related that his grandfather,
Capt. Stevens, had died from disease
and insanity. He told of the fact
that his brother had visited him at
his home in Barton at different times
of late, and had been in a state of
trouble and melancholy over his af-
fairs at home. He had seemed to him
to be in a condition of insanity. He
had been afraid his brother would
take his own life.
Charles Mathewson testified that
had seen Mr.. Way in a state rthat
made him think there was something
wrong with his mind; related several
circumstances showing that he was out
of his head.
E. @. Mathewson testifes as to the
general good character of Way. Had
seen him when he called him out in
his mind. He talked a great deal
about his wife, and when brooding
over his troubles thought he was in
sane.
A large number of witnesses testi-
fed to certain strange things which
Way had said and done, the purport
of whose testimony would show that
he was out of his mind at times.
Robert Muntor, who was in jail at
st. Johnsbury when Way closed the
door on his own head, inhicting bad
scalp wounds, in the suspected at
tempt to commit suicide. He told
what the prisoners condition was at
the time.
DR.. Folsom, who dressed Ways
head, testified in regard to his wounds
which he did not find to be very Sc
we're.
O. M. Hagar testified in regard to
Ways condition during the last few
months. He did not think him safe
man to INSURE Way rehearsed
great deal about his family troubles.
Mr.. Mathewson, a lister, relates
several circumstances which made
him think Way was insane. He had
not thought his condition such as to
require restraint.
Miss Laird, who had worked in the
family, some time recently testified
that Mrs. Ways treatment of her
husband was such as to excite and ir--
ritate him. Mrs. Way. said that Mr..
Way had been put up to get rid of her
and the children. She said she was
afraid Way would kill her.
DR.. Carter, an attendant physician
at t he time of the birth of three chill
dren, had not noticed any hard treat
ment of the wife. He had not MOTTO
ed anything about Ways mental con-
dition which was unnatural. He had
not thought him insane.
John Coffrin, an aged man who
knew the Ways and Capt. Stevens
and other members of the family
years ago, told of their history and
related how Mrs. Way, mother of the
respondent, had been a victim of
witches or witchcraft.
Sheriff Sulloway, who arrested Way
and had charge of him in Jail since
his arrest, testified in regard to the
arrest, certain conversation, Ways
attempt to commit suicide by slam
ming the cell door against his head,
etc. Had known Way for many years
and never saw anything that indicat-
ed insanity. Told Way that the de-
Tense in his case would be insanity.
Way declared that he was never more
sane in his life. Said he expected to
swing for the deed and wanted I |
should hurry the NJ after up.
The sexpert" testimony was begun
by the use of DIR. Nelson of st. Johns |
bury, who testified that:
Intemperance, epilepsy and private |
diseases in the parents tend to trans
NIT nervous diseases to the offspring. |
Headache, stunning society, irritable
ity and sleeplessness are symptoms
of various forms of insanity. Do
mestic and business troubles are