The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-04-03

and may not get to the jury before
Wednesday. The attendance was not
so large yesterday as on the preced-
ing days of the trial, but there was
nevertheless a good attendance. The
most important witness yesterday was
Miss Susan +. Dickinson, sister of the
plaintif. who was on the stand when
court adjourned. She testified to the
erratic conduct Of her sister In 1890 and
up to the time she was taken to the
insane asylum I'M 1891.
The deposition of DR.. Underwood,
who, with Dr. Heilman made the exam
ination of Miss Anna Dickinson on
which she was committed to the Dan
vile insane asylum was read by Attor-
ney Dawson after court opened in the
morning. Since the examination DIR.
Underwood has departed this life. The
substance of the deposition was that he
believed Miss Dickinson was suffering
from monomania.
Charles w. st. John, of Pittston, tes-
titled that he sold liuuor to Miss Anna
Dickinson in 1890, but two months prior
to the time she was taken to Danville
she did not purchase any from him.
AN ASYLUM ATTENDANT.
One of the attendants at the asylum,
Mrs. Mary Handy. testified that Miss
Dickinson refused to drink coffee be-
cause she said there was poison in it.
In her opinion Miss Dickinson was in
sane, but she admitted on cross eX-
animation that her opinion was formed
largely by the fact that Miss Dickin
son was In the asylum. 1t was not
Mrs. Mary j. Marsh, another attend
ant at the asylum. gave similar testi-
mon3t When Miss Dickinson ar
rived at the asylum she asked her what
her name W $ and the plaintiff replied:
Anna +. dickinson, but I'm not al
lowed to be called that now" She
wanted paper on which to write tee-
grams to her attorneys, Howe & Hum
nell; her brother in California, Jay
Gould and Governor Pattison.
II. r. Paine, of this city, weather OBJ
server. testified that February %, 1891,
the day on which Miss Dickinson was
taken to the insane asylum. was very
warm. The minimum temperature that
day was So degrees.
DR.. John Heiman, one of the defend
ants, was then called to the stand.
Miss Anna Dickinson, he said, told him
that she used alcoholic stimulants to
excess. She said she was passing
through a change in life, and the wit
ness thought that this was responsible
for her nervous condition. He had
known ladies to become insane at this
period of life. and stated that at such a
time there was a tendency towards
latent insanity.
Nervous exhaustion would have a
tendency to upset the brain, and the
brain force would not be as near nor
NAL as on ordinar. occasions. The wit
ness had been at the Dickinson house
great part of the time between Feb
ruary 10 and %, and he thought at that
| time that Miss Anna was violently in
sane. and that if she had been allowed
to go her own way would have either
done harm to herself or family.
SAW HER OFTEN.
During this time he saw Miss Anna
often, and one time when he was anX-
ious to talk to her attempted to
go in her room. He had his foot in the
door but Miss Dickinson gave him one
look and he withdrew. He was afraid
Of violence. He suggested that she be
taken to the asylum, as he did not wish
to have the burden of the case on his
shoulders. At this time Miss Susan
said that they had no funds to send
Miss Anna to an asylum, and he sug-
gested that she be made charge on
the oYerseers of the poor. This was ac-
ceded TO and ne afterwards informed
Mr.. Courtright, one of the overseers of
the poor.
He detailed events Of the seizure and
removal of Miss Dickinson which have
heretofore been gone over by previous
| witnesses.
The cross-eXamination of DR.. He'll
| man began Immediately following the
| conyening of court after the noon re-
cess. He is now 81 years of age and at
the time he attended Miss Anna Dickin-
SON, prior to her commitment to the
Danville asylum was about 26. He
paid between twenty-five and thirty
professional visits to the Dickinson
house, but did not render a bill for
them, as he did not think he would be
paid if he did. The cross-eSamination
vas eniVened by several lively pas
sages between Dr. Heilman and Attor-
ney Hodge. The doctor said he could
not answer a supposition.
You are too stupid TO do that, are
you?" asked Attorney Hodge.
1T is none of your business whether
| | am stupid or not" retorted Dr. He'll
man, with much warmth.
Yes, H. is; that's just what / am here
| for, to find out whether you are stupid
or not" was the attorneys rejoinder.
You'll probably find out before you
| get through with me-" was the doctor 5
| response.
HER PECULIARITIES.
He described the peculiarities of Miss
Dickinson, which led him to the conclu-
sion that she was insane. After Feb
19, 1891 he began to feel the great re-
sponsibility that rested on his shoulders
in having such a patient to care for
and told Miss Susan Dickinson that
| something would have TO be done with
Miss Anna. on two occasions he tried
to get into Miss Anna Dickinson's room
to treat her. but she forced the door
shut. Once he put his foot I'm the door
way and kept 1t open for an instant
and then withdrew it, and Miss Dickln-
son slammed the door in his face.
Did she offer any violence TO you?'
asked Mr.. Hodge
Yes, sir" replied the witness.
What was it?"
"She looked at me-"
"And what did you do then?"
Il went down stairs"
Did you not see other women who
looked at you In similar manner when
you tried TO get into their rooms al
nlght?"
Il could not see anyone look at me
| L.. q
an insane way"
| might nOl a POO1 aCtraea uha Nya 4