Evening star., 1899-03-15
PETERS TAKES THE STAND
Gives Testimony in His Own Behalf in ths
Lunaey Proceedings.
The Evidence Submitted Today Be-
fore Marshal's Jury - Confidence
Expressed in His Sanity.

When the inquiry to determine whether
Eugene Peters, is sane or insane was re-
sumed today the examination of Mr.. Fred
erick Darlington, the lifelong friend of
Mr.. Peters. who was testifying at the hour
of adjournment yesterday afternoon, was
continued. Mr.. Peters was a witness to-
day In his own behalf
Mr.. Darlington stated that he first met
Mr.. Peters in April, 1885, During that
month Mr.. Peters yacht reached Whining
ton, Del, and Mr.. Peters introduced the
lady who has been present during the in
quiry as Mrs. Peters" She was intro
dIced to others in the same manner. An
uncle of Mr.. Peters, named Mark Garrett
visited the yacht at Wilmington, and was
one OF those made acquainted with Mrs.
Peters.
The witness. by invitation, was with the
yacht on trip to Baltimore from Whining
ton and thence to Old Point Comfort. The
lady was known at ali times. said Mr..
Darlington. as Mrs. Peters. and her stand
ing in that regard was never questioned.
Going back to the trip from New Orleans
to this city. Mr. Darlington explained that
he was acting with Mr.. Peters friends in
his interests, He did not at that time know
that Mr.. Peters had counsel. After the
return to Washington the witness was
with Mr.. Peters Constantly. and found him
ton detailed the circumstances of the re-
cent arrest of Mr.. Peters. the witness hav-
ing spent the night in the room with fntrn
at the station house.
''Will you tell the jury just what you
think of Mr.. Peters?" Attorney Wort hing
ton asked the witness.
Butt One Eugene Peters,
81 think there IL only one Eugene Peters
in the world. = stated Mr. Darlington. He
is peculiar more 50 than most people. He
always has been peculiar. From his boy
hood he has always wanted his own way
and wouldn't be led by anybody"
Mr.. Darlington then went on to say that
WREN he saw Mr.. Peters at Mobile, en- route
from New Orleans, the latter appeared as
though he mad been under great excite
ment. He recognized the witness at once.
and his conversation was entirely coherent
Mr.. Peters talked intelligently of the loss
Of the yacht Paul Jones' expressing his
opinion in regard to the catastrophe.
The witness had long conversation with
Mr.. Peters night before last and in con-
cluding his direct examination told the Jury
that he considered Mr. Peters as we'll in
mind today as he was months ago when
ne transacted certain business intelligently
with the witness, and as competent to
transact business now as at that time.
Mr.. Peters in His Own Behalf
Mr.. Darlington was cross-examined at
length, a recess was taken and the cross
examination pursued further. Then, shortly
before o'clock the subject of the inquiry
took the stand. He spoke clearly and de-
liberately and from all appearances was
fully as sane as any witness who had pre-
ceded him. during the six days the hear
ing has been In progress. In response to
interrogatories from Attorney Worthing-
ton, Mr.. Peters told the STORY of his life
Many of his remarks were of a humorous
nature, particularly those in reference to
his sanity.
According to Mr.. Peters he was born in
Winchester. Pa, in 1853. He lived at sew
eral places and finally moved to Whining
ton, Del, where he attended the Friends
School. Next he, studied the machinsts s
trade. but did not finish his apprenticeship.
Then he went to Philadelphia, studied tel
egraphy and for time taught telegraphy
Il then came to Washington and Joined
the signal corps of the United States
army said Mr.. Peters. II passed physi-
cal examination. and he added. with
smile. "at that time mental examination
i Also
Mr.. Peters then went on to tell of his ex-
periences while an enlisted man in the
signal corps.
'At Fort Myer, on one OCCASION" he re-
marked, Il was detailed to take charge of
another maniac who had murdered
man.
Duties in Signal Service.
Mr. Peters told. of his doings in Phila-
delphia, Texas and other places in the sig
nal corps. At the time Of the Custer mas
sacre he repaired certain wires over which
reports of the affair were transmitted
Some reference to this recently, SO said Mr.
Peters, had been misconstrued probably by
certain OF the witnesses in the case and on
1t was evidently based the statements that
he had alleged he was with Custer at the
time of the massacre and signaled for re-
inforcements.
Il finally obtained the high rank of cor
poral." said Mr.. Peters, ''aEd later was pro-
NOTED to be q sergeant observer. 1 was
sent to Atlantic City, where storm OBJ
liberated my reputation and the government
wires"
Continuing, Mr.. sPeters said he went IN
New Mexico underprdsrs, where he secured
his discharge from the service.
Then he went to Denver, COL where he
conducted the hotel business for several
months. at the expiration of which time he
removed to LeadYflle, where he washed
spoons for a living He acquired an in
terest in a restaurant and took to mining,
From Leadville he went to a number OF
places with stfne railroad contractors. and
stopped at Salt Lake City, proceeding from
there to Butter Citys where he remained for
more than a year, engaging for the most
part in the hotel business. From Montana
he went to New York.
Mr. Peters told Of the death of his father
and of the witness dnheriting about s15OOOO
from the estate. He was then examined in
regard to the partnership formed to con-
duct the business of the Norris Peters Com
pany, the partnership consisting of Eugene
Peters, H. b. Parsell and Daniel Fraser
At this point the hearing was adjourned