The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1897-01-16
MORALS WERE LACKING
SAID TO HAVE BEEN THE DISTURB
ING ELEMENT.
Mrs. Woodbury. Removed From the
Court Room Because She Was
Alleged to lie IA Hypnotfst.

Boston, Mass, Jan. u.-Hypnotism was
recognized in court today in an unpre-
cedented manner. 1t was the first case
on record where a person hes been order
ed from the court room because of the
mystic force. There was a sensation when
counsel boldly declared In open court that
there was danger of the witnesses on the
stand being hypnotized should the person
in question remain in the room during
the testimony
The case was also remarkable in that
1t was the debut of Christian Science be-
fore the bar of justice.
The case was that of Mrs. Josephine c.
Woodbury., the famous Boston scientist.
versus the Boston Daily Traveller and
Frederick Chamberlin of Spokane for
criminal libel, consisting of the publica-
ton in the Traveller of certain news ar
| ticles and Illustrations In reference to
the sensational suit brought by Mr..
Chamberlin against Mr.. and Mrs. Wood
bury for alienation of his wifes affec-
tons.
All interest in the libel case itself was,
| as far as the public was concerned lost
| in the surprising facts brought out IN re-
gard to the main case
| After the preliminary sparrings of the
| counsel, when Alfred M. Potter, Mrs.
] Chamberlins brother tall, thin, pallid
| young man, had been called as the gov
| ernments first witness, counsel for the
| defense amazed the court with the an
| nouncement:
| "Inasmuch as there have been various
| charges and allegations of hypnotism in
| this case, and as we find there are vari-
| Gus witnesses who seem to be intimi-
| dated and completely under the will pow
| er of this woman, we move that Mrs.
| Woodbury. be excluded from the room
during the evidence"
| This unprecedented announcement drew
attention to the fact that Mrs. Woodbury.
was seated within three feet of the wit
ness stand nearer than any other person
4 in court
1t was the biggest surprise ever sprung
in Boston court.
Judge Dewey granted the motion, and
Mrs. Woodbury. was escorted from the
room.
The case is most notable, and is attract
ing great interest. Half dozen leading
lawyers in the state are retained.
Mr.. Potter was a remarkable witness.
He was kept on the stand all day, but
, his testimony is not yet concluded. The
case will last the entire week.
l Under a scathing cross-examination he
4 paced the floor like a Gagged tiger. exhib
iting great nervous excitement and al
most breaking down.
2 Mr.. and Mrs. Chamberlin were botf
present. He is a wealthy property owner
of Spokane, and admitted transferring
;. $4,000 to the Woodburys after DESERVING
his family to live with them.
DO you know what hypnotism tsp thu
witness Potter was asked.
= Il lave looked it up in the diction
n ary."
+ Have you ever been hypnotized?'
: Never"
4 Have you been acting on your owl
a judgment and free will for the last tw'
: years.
Yes"
Haven't you, in your business affair
during the past few years. taken the ad
. vice of Mrs. Woodbury."
Yes"
Il Have you ever seen Mrs. Woodbur,
v control people with her will?"
: Yes"
; Have you seen people follow her ad
, vice in "A minute way?"
Yes"
= Have you ever known Mrs Woodbur
to change the weather."
NO"
u u would you believe that II Mrs. Wood
- bury told you that she could?"
u Witness replied that he would rely upo
! his own intellect in such a matter a
II that.
d What was the disturbing element Il
II the Chamberin family?"
Lack of morals"
WAS Fred Chamberlin the disturbing
element"
l.