New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-28
FRANKLIN J. BISCHOFF'S SAAfI1.
HE TELLS sHERIFF's JURY THAT HE
PREFERS TO GO TO JAIL TO SPEND
ING HIS LIFE IN BLOOMINGDALE.

Tho ,nou,ry into the mental condition o. Frank
lin 7 BischoY the lawyer. began yesterday before
a eheriff's Jury in the old broWnstone puiiuihs III
Chambers-st. B.schoff some time ago began 10
act oueerly and got involved In h NUMBER OF SUITS
hroueht by clients and others. Some OF these
asserted that he had appropriated funds OF 'heirs
,o h,s own use Bischoff's family soon decided that
IA was mentally unsound. and had him committed
10 Bloouingdae Asylum, where he has since oeeh
confined
In court yesterday Bischofr seemed to act ra-
.,ona,,y. IT admit" said he in conversation with
some reporters. that my mind was faulty az the
time l was committed. but contend that the me
care and treatment ! received In Boomiogdaie
has resulted in the entire recovery OF my heai'h
and mental faculties. and l intend to neht lor
liberty and the control OF my property. so ''"'
can go back TO my wife ard children.
d. Edgar Anthony appeared for the oeiehoan'
and Straiey Hasbrook & Schroeder acteo LOT jus
toe Bischofr of the Supreme Court. the respoh-
dents brother. who Is the petitioner IN the case
The respondent himself was the first Witness Called
He Identified letter dated last october, addressed
to Justice Bisc.o1 one he had written to his
brother threatening habeas corpus proceedings TO
effect lis release from the asylum The mere fact
OF my being in a lunauc asylum was to my mind
great restraint he exclaimed. Il had OF course.
great liberty. being allowed to go and come as |
pleased. without an attendant. TO ride my bicycle
and even TO be absent for Il day two at time
my word Of honor to return. l wanted TO get
out. however. and redeem the past. and repair
whatever injury may nave inflicted on my clients
IN the past by my wrongdoing"
The witness proceeded TO say that he had not
convinced himself that he had done any wrong 10
his clients He Was aware OF ii only by hcarsay.
as he had no opportunity TO look up his books and
papers to sec IL the allegations of misconduct and
incorporation were true. He admitted tina; he
minated in his letter that he would prefer i'm
prisorment for his alleged wrongdoing TO longer
With the prospect OF dying madluan
Blschof. then went into an explanation OF his
alleged Interpretations of his clients funds and
said that in each case he had a power OF attorney
10 iayest the funds confded 10 his care In the
manner he had. In one instance. ne asserted a
client who made such charges against him was
really indebted TO him.
Then you mean" said Mr.. Straley, that limo
cent as you believe you are of the charges made
against you, you would plead guilty sooner Than
remain In the asylumr' .,. a a
Decidedly" iopnco Bsckofr. II prefer ter,
OF imprsonmcr; in State Prison 10 life impris-
onment In lLcat.c asylum. Ii is my purposs
TO right whatever wrongs II is charged an guilty.
Tho witness admitted that his brother Justice
Bschon. had gone TO his assistance when Mae:s-
trate Crane threatened 10 prosecute him crninaiiv
because he had mortgaeed property belonging 10
Q woman client for 81 DO and had not turned the
money over to her. He denied that he mad ar
tempted suicide some years ago and that
Stomaeh pump had to be used to get rid OF poison
The examination was adjourned until o'clock
Tuesday. ~