Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-20
Continuation Of Testimony Concern
ing the Defendants Sanity.
PHYSICIANS MAKE STATEMENTS
The Prisoners Former Associates
Believe He is Crazy.
THE PROCEEDINGS TO-DAY

!
introduction of testimony to prove the de
| PENDANT insane.
After The Stars report of the proceedings
yesterday closed Mrs. Edmonia Hancock,
| sister of the accused. testified in his behalf.
| Mrs. Hancock detailed an attempt the
| part of Horton to commit suicide several
| years ago, followed by a second effort to
| end his life He has been in the habit of
| weeping on the slightest prOvocation, she
said At the Jail, recently, the prisoner de-
| clared to the witness that he was innocent
| of any intent to kill Mrs. Nicholson.
| During the time Mrs. Hancock was tes-
| tlfying Horton and his wife appeared deep
ly affected, giving way to tears.
| The concluding witness of the day was
| Or. Noble I. Barnes. He declared that in
| his opinion Horton is insane. although the
| insanity is of kind difficult to classify.
| Witness CrOss-Examined.
| Immediately after court was opened to-
| day Dr.. Barnes resumed the stand. On
| cross-examination he expressed the opinion
| that the defendant is a victim of hysterical
| insanity. which is transitory rather than
| chronic. The subject of hysterical insanity
may be prompted to destructiveness may
| be happy at one moment and in tears the
| next.
| The witness recalled a case on record of
| a young man, pronounced by two physi-
| clans to be insane, and they recommended
| that he be committed to an asylum for
| treatment. The parents of the subject
| objected, however holding that maria ge
| would be the best step He was thrown in
! the company of young lady, fell in love
| with her. and one evening. while sitting
beside her, suddenly drew a pistol and
| shot her dead.
| That is similar case to the one on
| trial." stated the witness.
| In what way? inquired Assistant Dis
| trict Attorney Shillington.
| He should have been confined for
| treatment" was the answer.
| Was it ever recommended that Horton
| should have treatment?' was the next
| query.
THAT don't know" replied DR.. Barnes.
but he should have had
| You think So"
| Il do
"LOve MelanchOIy."
DR.. M. B. Stricken, at one time police
| surgeon. was the next witness. He stated
| that he knew Horton when the latter was
| a member of the metropolitan police force,
| and had conversed with him frequently. At
| that time the witness considered him a
victim of love melancholy"
| If | had been in control of affairs" said
| Dr. Stricken, 4 would not have retained a
| man in his mental condition on the police
! five minutes"
| Lucy Craig, colored, an employe of the
| >.
| the jury a number of strange actions on
| the part of the accused which came TO her
| notice during that period On one occasion
| he sent the witness upstairs. to get him a
| shirt, and then deliberately tore the gar
ment into shreds Another time he jerked
| a screen from a window, threw il violently
| into the yard and later repaired the injury
| very carefully. Again, he discharged PTS
| tol while in the kitchen. According to the
| witness, both Horton and his mother are of
| unsound mind.
| Horizons Former Partner.
Joseph S w. Cotton, formerly a member
| of the metropolitan police force, was next
| called by the defense. He for a long
| time Horizons partner" The witness told
| many instances of peculiar actions the
| part of the defendant.
| Because 1 declined. about o'clock one
| morning, to take basket and procure pro-
| visions for woman who was reported in
| need stated Mr.. Cotton, Horton wanted
| to kill me-"
| After explaining that Horton has been an
| eLemy of the witness for some time, the lat
| ter went on to say: Il came to the conclus-
| ion that he would kill me or | would have
to kill him some night. 50 l asked to be
| transferred to another beat"
| From what you have Observed in
| qUired Attorney Jeffords, do You consider
| Horton sane or insane?'
| He is crazy" replied Mr.. Cotton.
| Horizons PecuIiarities.
William ]. Work, who followed Mr.. Cot
| ton on the stand, also told the jury that he
| had performed duty with Horton while
| they were members of the police force
On one occasion they were detailed to take
charge of house in which a person had
| been burned to death. Horton insisted on
| remaining all night close by the disfigured
| corpse. This the witness considered any
| thing but a sane desire.
| At another time, so Mr.. Work testified,
| Horton, noticing a hat floating in the river,
| sounded general alarm to the police, call
| ing out the reserve force to rescue a
| drowning man. To say the least, so said
| witness, Horton the time Mr.. Work
| knew him was not altogether of sound
1 mind.
Miss Florence Nalley was called to the
| stand to testify that she has known Horton
! for about three years, he frequently call
| ing at her home to visit her father. Three
! weeks prior to the murder Horton was at
| the house, and acted in a most peculiar
| manner.
| AT this point recess was taken.
Afternoon Session.
| The afternoon session of the court opened
| with DR.. John F. Stratton on the stand.
| DR.. Stratton stated that for a number OF
years he resided in the same house with
| Horton, and then went on to testify that
he noticed many peculiarities of the de-
| IGnQalll. Horton, ne said, once expressed
| the wish that the cars would run over
| him. The witness could detect that the
| mans mind weakening.
| On cross-eXamination DR.. Stratton stated
| that at one time he considered Horton a
! man of more than ordinary intelligence,
| and. in the general acceptation of the term,
| did not regard him as insane.
| Mr.. Eugene Carusi was called to testify
| regarding the existence of insanity among
| certain relatives of the defendant after
| which Policeman James F. Bruce was
sworn.
when Horton was on the police force L
performed duty with him." testified Police
| man Bruce. He acted like crazy man,
| or was crazy. He wanted me to indorse
| note that he could borrow money with
| which he could buy the wreck of the old
steamer Mary Washington and take a trip
| on her to Ireland. Horton was very angry
when l declined to indorse the note"
DO you consider the defendant sane or
insane?" inquired Attorney Jeffords.
Il don't think a sane man would have
acted he did, was the reply. AT the
| time told the men at the station 1 thought
Horton crazy
The witness further informed the Jury
| that at times Horton was extremely kind
hearted He also stated that Mrs. Nichol-