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

sanity was caused by the witch story :,
(referred to in Marcellus Ways testi-
mony). Cross examined-If 20 or 80
minutes after the crime he knew
what he had done it would prove a
record was made on his mind, and it
is very improbable it could become a
blank.
DIR. Edward B. Nimms, superinten-
dent of the insane retreat at North
ampton, Mass, then took the stand IN
behalf of the state. DR.. Nimms has
been in continuous practice in this
speciality over twenty years, has an
average of 500 patients and has per-
sonally known 5000 cases of insanity.
He gave a clear, lucid description of
the symptoms of insanity, and defini-
ton of terms, correcting several err
roneous definitions given by preced-
ing ''experts,0 Way was embar-
rassed at the time of the examination
by the presence of the doctors and
attorneys, but his excitement was no
more than natural under the circum-
stances The circumstances attend
ing the crime, as established by evil
dence, being cited, the doctor said,
'sDon't see any insanity about that"
Regarding fits of the mother with in
terval of 80 years between not con-
sistent with epilepsy. 81 pronounce
the prisoner sane man."
DIR. J. N. Gibson of McIndoes was
present at the examination of Way
and pronounced him insane.
DIR. Chas. F. Bancroft, superinten-
dent of the New Hampshire insane
asylum at Concord was the next wit
ness. His father was also superin-
tendent of the asylum, and from boy
hood DR.. Bancroft has observed the
insane, has now 427 under treatment,
and has known personally 5000 cases.
His testimony conceded in all essen
tial particulars with that of DR..
Nimms, and he thought all the facts
were perfectly consistent with sanity.
Gould not conceive of such case as a
man being sane one moment, insane
the next and sane the next. II con-
slider the man saneo
The cross examination of DR.. Ban7
croft occupied a part ofe Tuesday
for noon. Then a large number of
with esses were brought forward by
the state in rebuttal. Among them
were Mr.. and Mrs. Hiram King, Sal
mon Gray, John Coffin, Paul Willard,
Rev. Roscoe Heine, j. M. Cass, E. K.
Hill, Isaac Pearl, Charles Meserve,
Everett Clifford, w. N. West, S. B.
Hooker, S. III. Rowell, Benjamin Way
and B. F. Taylor. They knew Way
we'll, had talked with him on many
an d varied occasions even up to the
day of the tragedy and never thought
of his being insane. The testimony
of the defence was seriously injured
by these witnesses. Mrs. w. j. Ran
ney gave testimony regarding the
period Way has been in jail. Has
thou ght him sane all the while.
Wednesday morning several of the
witnesses were ca lied in rebuttal, and
at 10 o'clock the arguments in the
case were begun by States Attorney
Taylor SEQ 90e sst9us efea s a oe
The case was very ably conducted
on both sides and the respondent had
the advantage of everything that
good counsel and an impartial court
co uld grant. The arguments were
am ong the best heard at that court
for years. The charge of the Judge
was exhaustive and impartial The
jury took the case Thursday night
and brought in a verdict of guilty in
the second degree on Friday fore
noon. This gives Way a life sentence
in States prison, and ends, unless
exceptions taken in court are sustain
ed, one of the most remarkable trials
ever had in Caledonia county court.