The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-21
BLUME'S MENTAL STATE
VARIOUS OPINIONS OFFERED IN THE
TRIAL AT LEBANON.
Some Evidence in Rebuttal by the
PrOsecufion-DivOrc
Complaints.

The Blume murder trial was resumed at
Lebanon yesterday morning. The last wit
ness for the defense was David Blume,
father of the accused who was recalled to
the stand in the morning. Mr.. Blume on
cross-examnation. told OF his sons damage
suit against the Western Union Telegraph
Company. He said his son was taking treat
ment at Hot Springs, Ark. He sent his son
some money and telegraphed him TO remain
at Hot Springs. The message, it was al
legged, was never delivered and Will Blume
brought suit against the telegraph company,
securing judgment for $50, but the case was
afterward compromised for so. Mr.. Blume
said he regarded his SON as being of un-
sound mind at this time.
The State then began the introduction Of
evidence in rebuttal. r. t. Davidson. at
torney for the Western Union Telegraph
Company, was the first witness. He said he
represented the company in the damage
suit which Blume brought against it. The
trial was held Aug. %, 1895. The witness
stated that Blume testified at the trial and
that he answered all questions promptly and
sustained himself creditably on cross-ex-
animation. Mr.. Davidson expressed the
opinion that Blume was of sound mind on
Aug. 20, 1898. The witness further testified
that he met Sherman Mott and Blume on
Sept. 10, 1898, when a compromise was eff
fected whereby the company agreed to pay
so judgment to Blume. So far as Mr.. Dav
idson's observations went he thought Blume
of sound mind on that date
The measurements, agreed to by the at
torneys, of the premises and surroundings
at the scene OF the murder were introduced
by the State. Mrs Joseph Forrest was then
put on the stand. She lived in part of the
house which the Blume family occupied last
summer. The Blumes moved away from
there, she said. about six weeks ago. The
witnesses rooms and those of the Blumes
were separated by partition wall only She
testified that she had never heard any
moaning or screaming in the other part of
the house She said Blume, whom she fire.
quently saw and talked with, talked and
acted much as other people. She thought
he was of sound mind On cross-examina-
Blume took an overdose of morphine she
saw them working with him in the back
yard. Jailer Keppel, of the Marion county
Jail. testified that he saw Blume ten to
twenty times day during the prisoner S
confinement in Jail at Indianapolis He saw
Blume play cards and smoke like the other
prisoners. Blume never missed meal, slept
well, read newspapers and books, always
spoke when addressed and acted like the
rest VI the inmates. AL Indt time the Wit
ness stated that he never saw any sores
on Blumes head or face. The witness said
he had told Plume when the latter left for
Lebanon that he had better start the in
sanity business right away. Mr.. Keppel
thought Blume was certainly OF sound mind.
Mr. Keppel was later recalled by the State
and said that there are some insane people
in the Marion county jail, but such persons
are transferred TO the asylum after having
a lunacy commission to investigate their
condition.
DIR. G. w. Cones, OF indianapolis. was
then called to the stand. After describing
the various stages of the disease with which
Blume was afflicted. the witness in response
said that the disease acts of in
sanity in the second and third stages. In an
swer to a hypothetical question by Mr. Raj
ston for the defense, DR.. Cones said that
from the facts stated in the question he
thought Blume was insane. When asked a
hypothetical question by Attorney Grooming
err. for the State. he said he did not see any
thing in Blume's relation to Grace Harvey
or the killing of her that would indicate
Blume was Of unsound mind, unless he was
monomaniac. Dr. Chas. Trueblood, of In
dianapolis, an interne at the City Hospital.
took the stand to testify. but objections
ruled that he would have to stand aside for
the present. Dr. Flora MacIvor, a physician
at the City Dispensary. began to testify,
but objections being made, she was ordered
| to stand aside for the present. Leroy DAN
ner, drug clerk. said he had known Blume
for long time; saw him in Meroney'
drug store the day before the murder when
they talked about several matters. The wit
ness thought Blume was of sound mind