The times., 1899-03-11
LISTENING while HIS
SANITY IS DISCUSSED
Dr.. Godding, an Expert, Heard
in the Peters Trial.
The Defendant Unfit to Car, for
His Person or Property.
His Wife Interested and Sometimes
Amused In the Proceedings
Adjourned Until Monday.

The third days session of the enquiry
into the sanity of Eugene Peters, men,
Der of the Norris Peters Company, COM
menced yesterday at IL a. m. and ed
journed at . p. m until Monday. Although
| this the shortest session held since
| the enquiry began there was more light
| thrown upon the subject than on any of
the previous days.
The most important testimony was given
by the defendants aunt, Miss Annie
Hannum; Daniel Fraser, a member and
general manager of the Norris Peters
Company, and DR.. W. w Godding. Super
intendent of ST. Elizabeths Hospital for
the Insane. The latter was called as an
expert and gave it as his opinion that the
subject of the enquiry was not a fit person
to properly care for either his own person
or property. The testimony of Miss Han
mum and Mr.. Fraser was chiefly in rela-
tion to the business affairs of Mr. Peters.
Mr.. and Mrs. Peters were both in at
tendance during the proceedings, and, as
usual, paid close attention to all that was
said. Mrs. Peters on several occasions
seemed very much amused at some of the
statements regarding her husbands say
ings and doings
The first witness called was Albert C.
West, the bookkeeper at the Citizens Ma
| tonal Bank, of this city, who was on the
stand yesterday but did not complete his
testimony. He produced the banks book
and showed the checks paid out on the or
der OF Peters during the last two months
One of these checks was for $1,000, paid to
Dan A. Stuart, the priZefight promoter
The next witness was Miss E. Annie
Hannum, at whose instance the writ de
lunattco inquirendo was issued. She stated
that she resides in this city and is an aunt
OF the subject of the enquiry, Eugene Pc
tiers. She had heard of Peters dongs in
the West and South and OF his intention
to return to Washington. When he ar
rived she had long talk with him. He
seemed very much excited and told of all
| his troubles. He was usually n man of
few words, but on his return TO Washing
ton was exceedingly talkative. She saw
him again the following day, Monday, and
| he again related his troubles. Later she
| noticed change in his condition. He be-
| came more quiet. She never heard him
| make any threats except once to his serv-
ant. He said at that time: IF l had a
| gun | would like TO clear out some of these
| fellows" He, however, laughed and said
| no more.
Under the conditions she does not think
| he is a proper person TO care for himself
and property. The witness stated she had
! no selfish motive in pursuing the course
| she did.
On cross-examination by Mr.. Worthing-
| ton she stated that Peters was always re-
ticent and had his peculiarities like other
| people.
Daniel Fraser was next called. He
stated that he has been connected with the
Norris Peters Company since 1873 or 1874;
/ he was the general manager of the busi-
ness At first Eugene Peters was around
a great deal but later drifted away.
He then told Of hearing OF Peters ac-
tions at Hot Springs, Ark, and said that
| last June he acted strangely. Peters
mother was very Ill, at the point of death,
and he was of on his yacht. He had TO
be sent for several times before he came
His mother died at a. m. Peters sent
| word of il to the witness, then left the
house and got aboard his yacht again.
Some years ago, Mr.. Fraser said, Peters
WAS very close with his money and would
drive hard bargain. When propositions
were made to him he would consider for
| long time before answering. When he ar
rived Peters asked the witness to take
| care of him and talked in a rambling way,
insisting that the Jesuits in New Orleans
were all Masons.
| Mr.. Fraser stated he was present when
| Dr. Walsh saw Peters. The latter talked
| constantly of gambling and bloodhounds
| III ItplE " d AueSNitb Nlif NlAL'sS
| do not think Peters Is capable of taking
care of self. his business, and his prop
| eTty." He stated that he did not favor
| the taking out of the warrant for Peters,
and only consented on the condition that
1t should be executed only In case OF
| emergency. He then related his connection
| with the matter until the end of tine pre-
ceedings in the Police Court.
IL this connection Mr.. Fraser stated that
| the pf Peters a dangerous liultitt
| was a mistake, which he regretted exceed
| ingly. The witness then went on TO state
| what property in this city and other cities
is owned by Peters, including stocks in the
| Adams Express, the Pullman Palace Car
| Company the Mergenthaler Linotype Com
pany the Baltimore and Ohio Railway
Company improvement bonds and real
estate here and in other cities.
| Dr. Ralph Walsh testified that he had
| known Eugene Peters about ten years and
| had been his physician for seven years.
| He saw him on the Sunday when he came
here from New Orleans. Peters was at the
Wellington Hotel He left there and went
TO his house in East Capitol Street. Pc
ters was standing in the middle Of the
room and said he could not stop talking
He then told me Of his being followed by
gamblers and hunted by bloOdhounds, 20
said the witness. He was undoubtedly Of
unsound mind; he is suffering from dis
ease WHICH dJNdChb lHe DTdlub u peculiar
condition attending the disease is that af
ter the mind has become affected. at times
the patients mind became perfectly nor
NAL.
Dr. GoddIng stated that he had ex-
| amined Peters soon after his arrival in
the city from New Orleans. and that he
was now OF the opinion that Peters is
not capable of taking care OF himself or
his property. When asked by Mr.. Worth
| iugton Peters counsel il actions during
the progress of the enquiry since it be-
gun was not a pretty severe test of his
Intelligence. the witness stated that it was
and that during the time Peters had ac-
quilted himself very creditably.
1t was stated after the adjournment yes
terday that possibly three or four more
witnesses will be called on behalf of the
| Government.
| Licensed 10 Marry.
4 marriage license issued Yesterday to
| James ". Freeman and Helen Mercer
7