The times., 1899-03-17
EUGENE PETERS ON
THE STAND AGAIN
His Sanity Defended in Rather
sharp Language.
Scientific Explanations of Queer
Doings Attributed TO Him.
The Only Way He Ever saw the
Custer Massacre Was in
Wax and Oil.

When the proceedings instituted for the
purpose of enquiring into the mental con-
dition of Eugene Peters. a member of the
Norris Peters Company, were resumed
yesterday. Mr.. Peters, the subject of the
enquiry was again called TO the witness
stand and continued his testimony. He
did not appear any the worse for the Sc
we're trial he passed through on Wednesday
and continued the story of his life in the
same quiet way in which he had started
II was not however until his cross-eX-
animation by Attorney Jere NJ. Wilson be-
gan that he evinced any special interest
in the proceedings. Then il was that Mr..
Peters seemed to wake up to the import
ance of the enquiry and lost no opportun-
ity TO make a sharp retort to his ques-
tioner After giving a scientific explana-
tion of what he meant by escapes of cleo
trieity" Peters said to Mr.. Wilson, Now
that may all seem incoherent to you, but
IT is plain to me-" Again, in giving an
account OF how he spent some of the money
he won gambling at Hot Springs, Ark, he
said: II gave some for the purchase OF
cord of wood for charitable institution
and more for basket of champagne-one
of your favorite topics.''
The hearing began at Els p. m, and
was attended by the largest number of
spectators which have yet attended any
session of the proceedings. Mrs. Peters was
in her accustomed place and seemed to
greatly enjoy the witty and sharp retorts
made by her husband. AS soon as As
sistant United States Marshal W. B. Rob-
inson called the roll of the jury Mr.. Peters
resumed his testimony and contiued until
O'Clock, remaining upon the witness
stand three hours and forty-five minutes.
Mr.. Worthington opened the examination
L. l. IL
to which Mr.. Peters replied, Il am feeling
very we'll"
Mr.. Worthington then read a letter from
Daniel Fraser to Peters, calling his atten-
tion to the fact of the expiration of the con-
tract of partnership of the members OF
the Norris Peters Company. This and sew
eral others dated October, 1897, on the
same subject were read.
When Mr.. Peters resumed his testimony
he said that before his mother died she
lived with him at his home in East Capt.
tol Street. She had an income Of her own.
but he also. he said, contributed TO her
support.
His father, he said, died in Kansas before
the Civil War. While In New York, in 1898.
and here in this city, he introduced Mrs.
Peters always as his wife. In evidence of
this bills for board at different New York
hotels furnished Mr.. and Mrs. Peters"
were introduced as evidence.
His Yachting Trips.
Mr. Peters then told OF his visit TO VIII
mington. Del, and of the various trips he
had taken on his yacht, and named twenty
or more persons who had accompanied him
on these outings On all these occasions
he said he always introduced Mrs. Peters
as his wife, to everybody, at all times and
places. He then said that he purchased
his yacht from ". E. McGee and the con-
sideraIion named was 81. In this connec-
tion IL may be mentioned that in the early
part of the investigation Peters statement
that he paid 81 for his yacht. the Coyotte,
was given as an evidence of his insanity.
The actual price paid for the yacht, Peters
said, was sl2.eoo paid in part by check
on the Citizens National Bank of this
city. He also introduced an insurance
policy for $4,000 on his yacht, TO show
his care and caution in protecting his in
terests-
Continuing. Peters said: when l left
Norfolk last January for Hot Springs,
Ark, had no definite plans. J. however,
ordered the yacht to Key West. After
being in Hot Springs some time conclud-
ed that the climate farther South would
be beneficial TO me, so ] started to New
Orleans. ] had practically made up my
mind 10 go 10 Cuba. The yacht, so far
as / know, is now at Key West"
zens' National Bank were then submitted
TO Peters and without the slightest hesita-
tion he told what the money was used for.
The greater part Of il was used for paying
for repairs of his yacht and wages of his
employees aboard the yacht. He said that
he gave a check for 1000 to DaI A. Stew
art because he believed he needed IL. He
had heard that Stewart was in very bad
financial condition about that time.
I'll, Ht-nf frh
prominent part in the testimony during the
early part of the proceedings was also re-
ferred to yesterday again Peters said he
purchased il al Hot Springs on the advice
of his physician, DIR. Holland, who advised
him TO wear 1t as a preventative against
catching cold. He then went on TO state
that he had contributed TO several charita-
bic institutions. and named the Catholic
Home for the Aged. Associated Charities Of
this city. and TO the beneficial association
OF the Norris P.Aers employees. Several
letters acknowledging the receipt OF these
contributions were introduced as evidence
Referring TO his marriage. he said: II
did not get married at Hot Springs. but al
Malvern. was unable to procure mar
riage license at Hot Springs, therefore
went up to Malvern.
Division of the Estate.
letter from Mrs. II. II. Parsell, his
aunt. eongratulating Peters on his mar
riage. was also offered as evidence.
Referring TO the division Of the Norris
Peters estate, Peters said he got l03 share.
for his portion and he has them still; o
the Mergenthaler stock, he said he go
only small number Of shares. about lsI
Of Pullman Palace Car Company stock b,
got 393 shares.
Il sent for the Pullman stock" he con
tinued, from Texas, and received ii wheI
] arrived in New Orleans. In the division
o: my uncle's property ] also received 20'
shares OF Adams Express Company stock
also 100 shares in a copper mine in Ari
zona; also mining stock in Pewabec mine
Minnesota; Santa Fe mining stock, l0'
shares; also 81, 500 worth of West Shor'
Railroad bonds With this ! purchased
the residence in East Capitol Street from
W. T. Smith. / also got $1,000 coupon
Government bond which expired during
the last two years"
Speaking Of the amounts received as al
income from the Norris Peters Company
he said that during the last year he re
ceiyed 81 100, and that there is still du.
him as was stated by Mr.. Fraser. some
thing over 81 coo. which he has not drawn
He also stated that he paid 81, 200 for hi
house In Wilmington, Del, and that ther,
is about s2o.O0o in the Citizens Nationa
Bank tied up by these proceedings. Pc
tiers also stated that he owned stock in tn
Washington Loan and Trust and Norfoll
Steamboat Company and a small numbe
Of shares OF stock in various other cor
porstions.
Judging from what he has, Peters con
cluded his testimony by saying that he !
worth more now than when he came int
pf his share NJ &c