The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-18
DR.. JAEGER'S TRIAL.
Judge Adams a. Witness Defends
the Character Of the Accused.

the Character OF the Accused.
LYNCHBURG. VA, Aug H-special.-
The first witness In the Jaeger trial this
morning was Mrs. Franklin. an employe
OF the Asylum, whose testimony as 70 Or.
Jaegcrs kindness and the alleged eccen-
tricties OF Miss Lucy Page Wilmer did
not differ materially from that OF wit
nesses for the defence who had preceded
her Sister Sarah she said. whipped the
children very severely although the Wit
ness frequently saw her pat them when
any one was about, and heard her say
that she thought it would be well TO get
rid Of Or. Jaeger.
Judge Adams. OF Campbell county. was
examined at length. the accused attach
ing considerable importance, as he is
lawyer and judge Of the county court.
The Judge said he had known Dr. Jaeger
for ten or twelve years, ever since he had
first come here IN fact. and at his leis-
ure had spent considerable time in tho
Doctors study. being quite intimate with
him lie believed him 20 be as truthful
q man as he ever knew. OF strict integrity
Of character, very cxcitabe and when
excited might use exaggerated express
sions. lie was not capable Of deliberately
malignng any one, although 1t was pos
sible he might misconstrue them, but he
was always ready TO make amends II he
judged harshly.
he.Judge then went on 10 give In de-
tail ~ account OF a visit he paid TO the
Asylum at the time he had given orders
10 conhne DR.. Jaeger as a lunatic. on the
strength Of Mr.. Winners complaint.
Witness said he found two strong men
AT the door. which was barred mnd bolted.
lie went in and talked with the Doctor
wi ON. to his surprise (having been told
that he was a ravlns lunauc) he found
quiet and perfectly rational Upon leav-
ing he discovered thai the door was no
longer barred that the two guards had
gone. ana that there was no one else in
the house except some children. This he
thought was inconsistent on the part Of
Mr.. Wilmer.
The Judge did not think that the ac-
cusod had ever been insane. and that the
nearest he has come 10 being 50 is I'm tho
present examination. being so eoaded By
others that st would drive almost any
one so. Upon the occasion Of that visit
the witness had asked 10 sce Mrs. Jaeger.
but as she had refused TO see him. and
finding that DR. Jaeger did not seem 90
have a friend left, he offered his services
as either counsel or friend.
Regarding the scuffle between Or. Jao-
ger and Mr.. Wilmer. when the latter's
thumb was bitten by tho former, he
thought be got of very easily
About this time Or. Jaeger interrupted
the court with an cxcitable speech in
which he alluded 10 somebody having
lied, and then apologizcd % the court
for this supplementary language, ex-
planning that I'm German there IS no diff
ference between Misrepresentation and
lying.
The doctor then continued his question
ing. trying to bring ont the facts that
conspiracy existed to Gust him. that he
was sane and that his character was
good
The prosecution here arose and said
that as the diocese was being put to
much needless expense by the extreme
length Of this trial. and I'm order TO ex-
pedite matters. ne was willing 20 con-
code three things and 10 have them en-
tered on the records: First. that Mr. VIII
mer. Sister Sarah and Mr.. Harris were
anxious to get rid of DR.. Jaeger, believ-
ing it best for the good Of the asylum
second, that ne would not question his
sanity and, third, that he was willing TO
gers character was good.
DR.. Jaeger objected to this and was I'M
derstood 10 say that the court knew he
was an innocent man and ought 10 be
willing 10 stay there a year for him to
prove IL.
The crOss-examnation OF the Judge
failed TO weaken his testimony I'm any APP
probable degree and ne closed by saying
that he thought it was right that he
should speak OF the usefulness. faithful
ness and personal influence Of DIR. Jae-
ger. lie had not known any preacher
more sincere and earnest in the propaea-
ton of Christianity. and didn't believe
that there IS a man in the Episcopal
Church who would 30 further for the
cause than he Will. Ills life was a per-
sonal sacrifice among the lowest grade
of humanity-those who had no friends
and were deserted by the world: these
were they whom he is trying 10 elevate.
20 make useful men and women and
good Christians.
In the afternoon several doctors were
introduced 10 testify as to whether they
believed one Of the principal lady wit
nesses could testify intelligenty. the
effort of the defence being 10 discrcdit
her testimony on the grounds that she
was suffering from a mental alteration.
The lady I'm question was the most inn
pOrtant witness against DR. Jaeger and
Sc was I'm connection with her that the
most serious charge had been brought
against him.