Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-22
Jury Passes Upon the Allegation Of
Insanity.
LIFELONG FRIENDS As WITNESSES
Physician Details the Attempts at
Self Destruction.
THE WITNESSES HEARD

Inc inquiry INTO the sanity or MI. Heliet
Kilbourn. whose unfortunate scicTdaf mania
has occasioned such distress and fear to
his family and his friends, was conducted
in Criminal Court room No. 2 today, be-
fore jury composed Of the following rep
resentative business men:
Louis D. Wine OF B. H. Warner & Co.,
foreman; Clement w. Howard Of the
Firemen's Insurance Company; George
w. Moss. manager of Adams Express
Company; w. Clarence Duvall, the real
estate and insurance agent: John c. Par
ker, the bookseller; Edward Graves pres
fdent of the Havenner Baking Company;
William B. Gurley, broker; M. A. Ballin-
ger real estate agent; William H. Hoeke,
furniture dealer; Edward Stevens, drug
gist: Charles H. Fickling real estate deal
er; William f. Shaffer, druggist, and John
F. Swormstedt, real estate dealer.
Preceding The examination into Mr.. Kill
bcurns case the jury considered the case
OF Mrs. Newell a report of which appears
IN another column of The Evening Star.
Mr. kiibourn was not present at the hear
ing In his case, the physicians deciding that
bis attendance would be unwise and that
the excitement ensuing would have a fur
Their injurious effect upon him. None OF
his family was present.
The attendance in the court room was
small and largely composed of those who
had been drawn by their interest in the
Newell case. Mr.. Kilbourn's friends were
represented by Mr.. George c. Gorham, MIR.
Stilson Hutchins and Mr.. w. Scott Towers.
The Inquiry Begins.
Immediately after the verdict in the New
ell case was rendered the inquiry was taken
up. DR.. H. C. Yarrow was the first wit
ness. He recountsd the unfortunate ten
dency which had developed in Mr. Kill
boIrn. 1t was due to melancholia, form
of insanity Mr.. Kilbourn had made three
attempts to commit suicide since December
L. The suicidal mania, in opinion of wit
ness. might and probably would eventually
become homicidal one. Mr.. Kilbourn was
row dangerous to himself and was liable
to become dangerous to others
DIR. Robert w. Baker gave similar testi-
mony.
Mr.. George c. Gorham, lifelong friend
o. MIR. kilbourn. testified that ne had
found the latter has become very much de-
pressed On account of financial reverses
Witness knew of his attempts at suicide
and was called in at his first attempt when
consciousness was restored.
When asked by Juryman DuvaH if he
considered Mr.. kilbourn was insane, Mr.
Gorham replied that the question needed
expert testimony.
a depression that discouraged and de-
preston that took complete possession of
the mind Mr.. kilbourn's determination to
commit suicide had been made known to
deavored to divert him from such a pur-
pose.
Mr.. Kilbourn had said:
IF our places were changed 1 know l
would talk to you just as you have talked
to me; but it's no use.
Discouraged to Last Degree.
Mr.. Kilbourn had declared that a man
had the. right to dispose of his life when he
grew tired of 1t. Mr.. Gorham thought Mr.
Kilbourn was discouraged to the last de-
ing his ability to meet any demands upon
him of a business character.
Mr.. w. Scott Towers. another intimate
friend, testified to Mr.. Kilbourn's unfor-
tunate mania, and expressed his opinion
that Mr.. Kilbourn was insane.
DIR. Yarrow, being called, expressed his
private conviction that Mr.. Kilbourn would
destroy himself If he was not kept under
constant scrutiny. DIR. Yarrow recited an
Incident that occurred some time ago. when
Mr. kflbourn said to him that, while the
witness had frustrated his last attempt to
Kill himself, he would yet succeed In do
ing it.
. Juryman Bailineer asked a great MANY
questions of Assistant District Attorney
Richardson regarding the course of the
procedure and great many others regard
ing the private business and family affairs
OF Mr.. kilbOurn. all of which were salts
factorily answered.
The jury retired at 2:20.
Verdict Rendered
The jury returned, at 2:4O O'clock q YER
dict that Hallet Kilbourn was an insane
man, that he had been of such unsound
mind since December last; the condition
of his mind was one of melancholfa with
suicidal intent