The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-19
HIS HEAD WAS FRACTURED
Peter Harrington Found Uncou-
scious Three Weeks Ago.
MAY HAVE BEEN STRUCK
Possibly However, His Injuries Nav
Have Been Caused by a Fall-Mr,
Harrlngton's Mind Has Not
Been Clear Sincs

During IN examination yesterday into
the mental condition of a man named
Peter Harrington, a cousin of Justice
Harrington, it was developed that about
three weeks ago the man was found in
an unconscious condition on the street,
with blood gushing from his ears and a
fracture Of the base of the brain, from
the results of which he has not been in
his right mind since. His injuries were
of such a nature that they were prob
ably caused by blow from some hard
instrument, though the doctors who ex-
amined him yesterday expressed an
opinion that the wound on the head
could possibly also have resulted from
a fall.
The evidence also showed that Har-
rington has been kept in Jail nearly all
the time since the night he was pick I'd
up on the street. AT one time he was
taken out to the county poor house and
hospital, but as it required some one
to constantly look after him and pre-
vent him from wandering away, and
the hospital not being provided with
guards, he was returned to the county
Jail, where he has been ever since. Drs.
Murray, Campbell and Mcdonald eX
amnied him yesterday, and while they
actually insane, he was nevertheless
unsafe to be at large, and there being
no place or provision for the detention
and treatment of such cases-and even
If there was they had no authority to
send him there-and rather than turn
him out on the streets again they found
him insane and recommended that he be
sent to the asylum.
County Physician Sheeran testified
that he was first called to see Har-
| rington at the county Jail one morning
during the latter part of September
and found. upon examination, that he
had a bad confusion behind the left
ear, which looked as if he had been
struck a heavy blow. Since then the
doctor said the mans mind has been
failing rapidly. He was removed to the
county hospital, but nothing could be
done with him there and he was taken
back to county Jail. The doctor said
that the man had no decisions. as he
did not have intellect sufficient to form
any.
Police Officer Conlon testified that he
found Harrington lying on the sidewalk
in front of the Beaver block on the
night of Sept. 81 in an unconscious con-
dition. He was bleeding from wound
on the head and the blood was also
gushing from his left ear. 1t was some
time after he had taken him to the
seriousness. but he could give no ac-
count of himself and acted foolishy.
The officer said Harrington was lying
in pool of his own blood when he
found him. He also had bruise on the
back of his head The city physician
was summoned to attend Harrington,
but the doctor said he could not de-
tcrmine the nature and extent of the
mans injuries because he had too much
liquor in him.
farm, said Harrington had been brought
to the hospital and remained there only
q short time and was then returned to
the county jail. He required constant
watching to keep from wandering
jured, and during one of his lucid mo-
ments he told her that he had been
drinking and must have got his head
hurt"
The doctors made an examination of
Harrngton's injuries and afterwards
expressed the opinion that the skull at
the base of the brain had been frac-
tured and that blood clot had formed
there and the drum of his left ear was
broken. Harrington answered nearly
all questions asked him by the doctors,
but in a slow. hesitating way. He said
he had been in Jail only three days, that
he had never been at the poor farm and
mid not know Mrs. Mcdonald and had
never seen her before. He could re-
member nothing of what had occurred
from the time Of his arrival in Butte.
the day before he was hurt. up to few
days ago.