The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-22
A MONOMANIAC
Was the Finding as to Mental Con.
dition OF DR.. S. X. Hissom.
THE DEFENDANT WILL APPEAL
To a Higher Conrt--Thc Examination.
Which has Been in Progress Sew
cral days, Concluded Yesterday
with the Important Testimony of
DIR. Best-The Cnse has Been Stub
bornly Contested.

DR.. s. X. Hssom was adjudGed in
sane yesterday by Squire c. S. Greer
at the conclusion Ola hearing which
was In progress since Friday. The
Judgment prescribes DR.. Hlssom as a
monomanlac, that is, victim OF in
sanity on one particular form of delus-
ion. The defendants attorneys will
take the case 10 u higher court.
The case, which has attracted no lit
tie interest by reason OF the proml-
nence OF the contesting parties, had for
its plaintiff. Mrs. j. r. Hissom. of the
Island, who alleged that her son, DR.. S.
X. Hissom. had threatened her life II
she refused TO sign certain papers. hav-
ing for their object the transferring OF
the elder Hlssom's property to the son.
No lunacy case Of recent date has been
SO strongly contested before local tri-
bunals.
The frs. procedure yesterday morn
Ing, when the hearing was resumed,
was the attempt by attorneys for the
defense to have DR.. Hissom testify In
his own behalf. This. was objected TO
by the complainant on the ground that
the defendant was insane and his testi-
mony would not be proper in the in
quIry. The court sustained the objec-
ton and DR.. Hissom was therefore not
allowed 10 take the stand
Attorney Ewing then offered in EVIL
dence letter from DR.. 5. X. Hisson,
which was filed and marked as exhibit
B. 1t was Il letter written to Mr.. Ev-
ing, and the writer asked for settle
ment of the case SO he could go away.
It was dated February Is. Justice
Greer ruled that the letter was not ad-
missible.
Adjournment was taken to p M,
and DR.. d. B. Best was recalled. His
testimony was as follows:
what are your relations to the de-
feDdant's family"
II was their family physician for
four or five years
Are you acquainted with the pa
TENTS condition."
mo; only hearsay"
I'm your judgment is the patient
sane OF insane?"
lie Is monomaniac: the most dan
Gerous form of insanity"
How long has II been since YOU no.
tlced anything wrong with the pa
tIent?"
-Four years"
AT this juncture the attorneys for the
defendant objected to DR.. Bests testl-
mony, claiming that they were denied
the privilege TO cross-examlne and that
DR.. Best had been recalled to contra
dict himself. These objections were
overruled and the ruling OF the court
excepted TO.
Attorney Smith then moved to dis
charge the prisoner because the party
making the information is not rela-
tive or an Interested party In the de-
PENDANT as the record disclosed. The
motion was oVerruleG, and the defend
ant. by his attorney, excepted.
The court then inquired OF the CON-
plainant II there were any more wit
nesses, and negative reply was re-
celved. Then the defense was asked a
similar question. In reply. Attorney
Smith made a motion for 4 trial by
jury, which motion was ovcrruled. the
court stating 1t had no authority 10
entertain motion or demand made at
that stage of the examination for a
jury trial. The defendant excepted. and
his attorney declined 10 call any more
witnesses for the defense. 4 second
motion 10 discharge the prisoner was
made by Mr.. Smith, on the ground that
he had been held over forty Eight hours
withou; trial. The motion was over
ruled and exception was made.
Justice Greer then rendered his judG-
ment declaring the defendant insane.
His judgment was as follows: "JudG-
ment Is rendered that the defendant 5.
*. Hissom. is insane-a monomaniac-
and should be confined In the Weston
hospital for the Insane or. some other
hospital for the proper treatment OF in
sane persons"