Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-05-13
NOT INSANE
Is Opinion Of Experts Con-
corning Geo. W. Pierce
DR.. B. T. Sanborn, Dr.. W. B. Lane
and Or. C. B. Bancroft Agree.
I citer firm, m aude Warren A0rccinQ 10 marry
Letter from Maude Warren Agreeing 10 Marry
Pierce when Single.

! Lewiston. Me-, May Eat the open
| ing of the Pierce trial at the supreme
court in Auburn, today, two attend
ants, al the Maine Insane hospital tes-
| tilted to their observation of Pierce at
| the institution.
Their testimony was that Pierce did
not speak during the 10 days OF his
/ confinement, but that in other ways
! there was nothing unusual in his de-
portment He ate well and slept well
! after the first night The day of his
dcparture he asked for permission to
| change his clothes and of his own free
viii and accord prepared his toilet.
Several letters were introduced adj
| dressed to Jacob Edwards of Boston, Il
| director of the Hill mill, signed by
| Fred NJ. Garcclon. an overseer in the
| spinning room of the mill. accusing
Agent d. w. Pencil of taking men out
of the mill to do his private work; al
so of using paint and other property
for private purposes. Other letters
read implicated Agent Pratt of the
Bates mill
Mir. Carvaiho testified that the letters
were written by the same hand.
The sensation of the forenoon was
the reading of a paper as follows:
II, Maud NJ. Warren, hereby agree to
marry George w. Pierce as soon as he
gets single and turns the Reed family
out.
MAUD NJ. WARREN.
March -, 81
DR.. r. L. Slnborn, superintendent
ut the NJ line Insane hospital at Au-
gusta. testified that Pierce had been
in his care for a week prior to the
trial. The doctor daily examined him.
but discovered nothing except normal
conditions in his physical appearance
and statue. Pierce maintained an
apa thetic. stolid attitude for the week
and all attempts of the physician to
elicit talk failed. But on the last day
Of his stay he voluntarily came out Of
his reserve and asked for conference
with the doctor concerning his case
and said that he had decided To keep
silent during his stay in order To dis
cover what the doctors would decide
regarding him from appearances, and
said his counsel had advised him to
come To the asylum and behave him
self
DR.. w L. Lane of the South Boston
Insane hospital. and DR.. c. +. Bancroft
Of the Concord. \. H., asylum. testified
regarding interviews with Pierce at the
county jail. this week. With DR.. Lane.
Pierce was sullen, abusive and bolster
Gus. He had the impression that III.
Bancroft was sent by his counsel. 50
-, 4,.,l
freely and coherently. saying that he
wanted to 90 back to the Augusta
asylum for they treated him better
there.
Nothing was drawn from the evil
dcnce Of these experts To maintain the
insanity plea.
For the defence. DR.. Theodore Ficher
Of Boston. testified as an expert. that
in his opinion. allowing the truth of the
evidence offered, Pierce was insane
when he committed the crime of which
he is accused. He testified that the
prisoner had a persecutory mania or
primary deluson of insanity. He des-
cribed at length the characteristics of
such insanity.
DR.. Sanborn was recalled by tn
State and testified that admitting tha
evidence, in his opinion the prisoner
was not insane when he sent the poiS-
oned whiskey to Mr.. Teel. on cross
examination the witness testified that
there were many causes of persecutory
mania.
DR. Lane testified that in his opinion
the prisoner was not and had not been
insane.
DR. Bancroft gave similar testimony.
| He gave as a reason for his belief, that
while decisions. such as the hearing 81
bells or voices were always present IN
| primary delusion of insanity here were
none in the case of the prisoner
This concluded the evidence. The
| final arguments will be made. tomor-
row morning at $50. Each counsel Will
be allowed IL hours.