Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-02-21

OF ADJUSTING PROPERTY MAT
TERS-AN EXPERT DISCOV-
Erred IN Hoo.
The examination of DR.. S. K. Hissom,
who is held on charge of lunacy, was
resumed yesterday before Justice c.
S. Greer at the county Jail, and six
witnesses were questioned. Three Of
there, Mrs. Addie Hubbard, sister OF
the defendant; Henry Belmont, a pris-
oner who has been in contact with DR..
Hissom since his confinement, and Miss
Edith Mason, neighbor of the His
SONS, had not previously been upon
the stand. The other three testifying
were DR.. John l.. Dickey, DR.. D. B.
Best and James r. Hissom, father of
DR.. Hissom, were recalled to supple
ment testimony before given.
The examination progresses slowly
for the reason that Justice Greer is
compelled to write down in long-hand
all the questions and answers, the par
ties to the trial having refused to bear
the expense of a stenographer. DR..
Dickey was originally called by the de-
Tense, but all the other witnesses who
went upon the stand yesterday were
summoned by the State. AS it is not
definitely known how many persons
may be called to testify for the defense,
the termination of the proceedings is
not yet obvious.
The case is a very peculiar one, and
is perhaps the first on record in Ohio
county where a man charged with
lunacy has so stubbornly resisted the
allegations of his accusers. In the tes-
timony of Mrs. Hubbard was detailed
some of the events which led up to the
arrest, and in these the contention over
property appears to have been con-
spicuous. The evidence of Henry Bel
mont relates to the sayings and actions
of Hissom since his incarceration.
Both go to show that if defendant is
mentally unbalanced he belongs to that
particular class of patients known as
monomaniaos, as he seems to be ration
al upon every other subject except the
distribution of the family wealth.
Yesterday the stereotyped questions
prescribed by law were added to by
the court for the purpose Of getting a
broader understanding upon the case.
While the court conducted the eXamina-
ton as formerly, he permitted counsel
to ask questions, and together with the
answers file them in writing, to be sub
sequently considered if deemed proper.
THE TESTIMONY.
Mrs. Addie Hubbard, sister of DR..
Hissom, was the first witness called,
and after the usual preliminary ques-
tions the examination proceeded as fol-
lows:
Q.-What have you to say of the
habits, occupation and reputed prop
erty of defendant?
Ale has some bad habits and some
good ones.
Q-How long since indications Of in
sanity appeared?
About the latter part Of Novem-
Der he followed my parents to my house
and said there had been trouble in the
family, which l know is not true. He
said if they didn't seperate he wanted
to take his fathers life and his own,
too. The same afternoon [ went to the
Doctors home. Upon entering 1 saw
him with a revolver drawn at me. He
said if it had been papa entered he
would have seen a dead man. Another
time he said l started this trouble by
writing him letters to Europe, asking
him to come home that papa was abus-
ing the family. l never wrote him any
letters.
Q-What symptoms have you noticed
to indicate insanity?
A-Threats and shyneSs of strangers.
Q-Does the disease appear to in
cease?
AIT times.
Q-Is the arrangement evinced on
one or several subjects?
A-Mostly ON one. That is, the prop
erty of which he thinks his father is
not capable of managing.
Q-What is the supposed cause of the
malady?
A-His sickness while in Europe.
Q-What change is there in his bodily
condition?
Ale is thinner.
Q-Has there been any former symp-
toms?
A-Only threats.
Q-Has any restraint been imposed?
Ale has been reasoned with.
Q-Is there any hereditary tendency
to insanity?
A-NO.
Q-Has defendant any chronic dis
ease?
A-Not that I know Of.
Upon being recalled to the stand