Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-04-20
An Expert Opinion on the Sub.
eCt Given
IN THE R PROCEEDINGS
Witnesses Who Believed That "D0c''
Larkin's Mind Was Impaired
in 1892 and 1898.

The taking of testimony in the Doc"
Larkin inquiry was esumed this morn
ing before Judge Henry N. Blake, special
examiner in chancery.
James w. Murphy testified to an ac-
quaintance with Larkin. He said Lar
kin made some complaint with refer
ence to The Snohomish and Tramway
deals. Larkin seemed to think that a
| man named Burton, who had a bond on
the properties. had not treated him fairly,
but his language was disconnected, and
the witness paid but little attention to
what he said-not sufficient to fix the
facts in his mind. Larkin on one occa-
sion told witness of a trip he had taken
with Indians. He said he had started out
with two partners, who left him and he
fell in with a band of Indians. The
Indians were on the warpath, but treated
him kindly. Larkin also mentioned
James Murray as one who was trying to
beat him.
John P. Reins testified to a residence
in Butte since 1875, and had known Doc
Larkin for 20 years, and met him very
frequently, particularly so in 1890 and
1891. He had talked with him when he
could not avoid him. He frequently
tried to avoid Larkin because he, had had
some difficulty with him in regard to
some claims. The trouble was not seri-
Gus, but was unpleasant, as Larkin per-
sisted in talking about it. In the earlier
years Larkin was a sort of a bulldozer,
and later he was more. penitent in his
talk. Witness opinion was that Larkin's
brain had suffered, probably from too
much whisky. ". .a.-.-s r.,..
On cross-eXamination the witness said
he met Larkin during the year 1894. Wit
ness could understand what Larkin
talked about. Larkin talked to him
about what he proposed to do to his
enemies. Witness was of the opinion
that in 1892 L4arkin was capable of taking
Fcare- of his business affairs; witness
thought Larkin was not exactly right
in 1894. -,
John J.. Cotter, the next witness, testi-
fled hat he had resided in. Butte for Is
years and knew Doe Larkin during his
life time. He met Larkin frequently in
1892 and 1891. and had occasion t" notice
his behavior. In witness opinion Lar
kin's mind was badly impaired. Witness
{ was conducting a saloon at that time, to
which place Larkin was a frequent Wis
itor, and on many occasions Larkir
would get into trouble with customers
of the saloon and would threaten then,
with a knife Or cane. Larkin drank quite
theavily, was very rorgetful, and his talk
was disconnected. In the opinion of wit
ness Larkin was insane during 1892 anc
1898, and was not in a hit condition to at
tend to his business.
During the crOSs-eXaminatiOn of tht
witness he stated that he never had any
business transactions with Larkin. A
number of questions tending to show tina
the witness was sane enough to care TO
his property followed.
DR.. NJ. S. Bacon testified to having re
sided in Butte since September, 1882
knew Larkin, and had frequently me
him at McGovern's place. Larkin was
patient of the witness during 1898 ant
1894. He considered Larkin a very sensi
( BILE man. The doctor spoke of impaired
reason as a umm cloud that comes
before the sun"