The times., 1899-03-18
PETERS DECLARED
Sane BY THE JURY
Sufficient Cause to Justify the
Enquiry Admitted.
Defendants Wife Sent Home for
Her Marriage Certificate.
Breakfast With n Greyhound at Hot
SprinEs-An Exchange of Rep
nrtee During the Trial.

Eugene Peters, member OF the Norris
Peters Company, whose sanity had been
questioned by his aunt, Miss E. Annie
Hannum, was yesterday declared to be of
sound mind by a marshal's jury composed
of thirteen residents of the District. There
is no ambiguity in the terms of the verdict
of the jury, its wording is clear and states
that Eugene Peters is sufficiently sound
OF mind to manage his own affairs, lands
and tenements, and the jury further finds
that there was sufficient ground to justify
the partners and relatives in instituting
these proceedings"
The proceedings which ended yesterday
were begun on March Z. On account of
the prominence of the persons concerned,
the result has been anxiously awaited and
the daily sessions of the court were at
tended by a large number of spectators.
1t is probable that no similar proceedings
in this city have ever been so closely
watched
The enquiry was presided over by AS
sistant United States Marshal for the Dis
trict William B. Robinson, who also had
the selection of the members of the jury,
which was composed of the following:
Col. Robert l. Fleming, w. S. Thompson,
Clarence F. Norment, George W. Moss
Norman Gait, William B. Gurley. George
Church, William S. Knox, Archibald
Greenlees, W. H. Moses, and John E.
HerrelI.
The climax to the proceedings was
reached Wednesday last, when Eugene
Peters was called to the witness stand
to testify in his own behalf. Those who
expected that his testimony would be
erratic, incoherent, and wandering were
surprised when the defendant proved more
than a match for the astute attorney who
conducted the cross examination. He had
not gone far with his direct testimony
under the lead of Mr.. Worthington when
the clouds which had overshadowed his
mind since his arrival III Washington from
New Orleans seemed to drift rapidly away.
Mr. Peters was the only witness eX-
amined yesterday, and when he concluded
Colonel Fleming foreman of the jury,
stated TO Marshal Robinson that the mem
bers of the jury desired to conclude the
case in the day, even If it were necessary
to continue the proceedings without in
terruption until midnight Mr.. Worthing-
ton then proposed to Mr. Wilson to sub
init the matter to the jury without argu-
ment, but the latter did not accept the
proposition and A. A. Hoeling, Mr.. VIII
sons associate in the case, began his argu-
ment to the jury.
Mr.. Worthington followed in brief ar
gument in which he said some very harsh
things about the witnesses who had testi-
fled against Mr.. Peters The friends of
Peters ne said now claimed that they were
sorry that the writ had been issued, and
that they had been acting for his best
interests. Mr. Worthington also referred
to the attack made by insinuation upon
the character of Mrs. Peters, saying that
an effort had been made to convince the
jury that she was common. This was the
extent of the friendship shown Peters, Mr..
Worthington said.
Peters he said, had been criticised be-
cause he refused to sign the last partner
ship contract between the members of the
! firm. But was this to be wondered at,
enQuired Mr.. Worthington. when Mr.. Fra
ser, under a solemn promise not to ask
for more than a one-third interest in the
business, was asking to be allowed $500
month more than he had ever received
for his services.
In conclusion, Mr.. Worthington argued
that Peters had been drugged, and quoted
the defendants testimony that he was all
right and was improving in his health un-
| til he was given a certain dose OF medicine
! by DIR. Holland, which put him in a stupoI
| for several days. Before he began his argu-
ment he said that the jury wished to see
| Peters marriage certificate, and Mrs. Pc
| tiers left the courtroom and went TO heI
| home for it. She returned before Mr.
/
/ the jury.
Mr. Wilson made the closing argument
| and contended that the facts showed plainly
! that Peters needed some one 10 care fol
! him and his property. The jury retired
| at 3:39 p. m, and, after deliberating fol
! two hours and six minutes, at 5:45 o'clock
returned its verdict as quoted above.
| Colonel Fleming announced that twelve
! of the jurors had signed the verdict, anC
called their names. 1t was noticed in thi:
way that the member OF the jury who die
not approve of the finding, was John A
Baker Ii is only necessary for twelve O
| the members of a marshal's jury to sigr
/ the verdict to make the result valid
AS soon as the result was announced
| Mr. Peters and his wife were warmly con
graduated on the outcome of the proceed
ings Immediately after they were driver
| TO their home in their carriage, which wa
| in waiting in front of the Marshal's office.
As soon as the proceedings were opened
yesterday, Mr.. Worthington called Mr.. Pc
tiers to the witness stand to resume hi
testimony The defendant was asked abou
his marriage. and replied that he was mar
ried by Judge Meade, at Malvern, and tha
he gave him $50 for performing the cere
mony. He also said that he gave Judg
Meade a certificate of deposit for $3.50. Ii
reply to a question from Mr. Wilson, ask
ing for information about those blood
hounds" at Hot Springs. Peters replied tha
he had breakfast with a greyhound a
Hot Springs" On being asked the nam
of the greyhound, Peters said: Il did no
ask the 'gentleman's" name
Speaking OF his connection with tn
gambler, Walsh, Mr. Peters said he follow
ed him about to the telegraph office an
banks at Hot Springs, looking over hi
shoulder and prying into his private bust
ness After further questions, Mr.. Wilso
said that he was sorry Peters did not com
prehend him, but it did not matter. MI
Peters remarked that the regret was mu
tual
| The AnI,-unrNnrd Rowing ENcnIs