The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-22
His DEMEANOR In COURT
How Benjamin Smell Stands the
Ordeal of Trial.
apparently Oblivious to His Sur
roundings and the Fate Awaiting
Him A shifting Glance Betrnys
AnNicty-HiS Counsel Claims He Is
Suffering From masked Epilepsy"

The trial OF Benjamin II. Smell for the
murder OF Lizzie Weisenberger on the 9th
of last August, viii begin in earnest this
morning promptly a; 10 O'Clock, when the
Government, represented by Thomas II.
Anderson, United States District Attorney,
and Ashley NJ. Gould, his assistant, will
conclude the presentation of its case
This trial has attracted widespread at
tention among all classes of citizens, many
women taking deep interest in the pro-
ceedngs.
Smells manner in court has been such az
TO incline the observer to the opinion that
the chief actor in the awful tragedy which
startled and Mortified the community last
summer is but an Indifferent spectator Of
the proceedings which mean life or death
TO him, and his nonchalent manner during
the examination of talesmen TO compose the
fury which shall decide his fate was sur
prise 10 those of his old associates who had
CHANGED TO be called for jury service. His
gigantic frame moved daily into the court
room, his eyes furtively casting glances
from side to side as he went to The chair
reserved for him behind his counsel. His
head, small in proportion TO the immense
size OF the frame which supported it, was
dropped downward and forward his iron
grey hair was rumpled as if be had been
running his fingers through It in the nerv-
GUS frenzy of deep despair and remorse,
his black cravat was loosely tied and Imply
hung from his collar and the cuffiess shirt
he wore seemed too small for him, flannel
undergarment showing in wrinkled folds
about the wrists When he dropped into
his seat he did SO as If he feared to break
the slight chair with his ponderous weight
and at once crossed his right leg over the
left-always in the same way-and inter-
laced his fingers. His head sunk deeper
upon his breast. and his beady brown eyes
were like those Of an animal hopeiessly
ct bay.
SMELLS shifting Gnzc.
1t was a difficult matter TO follow his
gaze. When be appeared 10 be looking al
q talesman under examination, the eyes
had in them no clearly defined focus, but
when he looked toward the judge during
some decision by the court, II was readily
seen that be comprehended the full mean
ing Of the words. When his aged parents
entered the room and the old father iimped
painfully TO his seat, Smell did not pay the
slightest heed, and but once was he seen
10 notice his white-haired mother. When
be did II was as she changed her seat TO
one beside her boy" and be Dcrely
glanced up enquiringly and curi0usiy, If
he were observing a stranger No tremor
OF limb or lash altered the cness Of his
wonted demeanor II he was acting a
part. he had It's letter perfect. and his
dramatic ability is Of high order. Once
or twice he glanced al his father as IL he
were wondering who he could be, and what
part he was taking in the elimination of
The tragedy which was even now, under
renewal Of the scenes 50 wildly portrayed
by the eloquence Of Mr. Gould, bringing
forth bitter weeping from the murdered
childs mother and sister that could be
heard above the words OF the address to
the Jury.
String of Condolences.
There chances to be present in this case
q series Of coincidenccs which. eliminating
every favorable feature which hopeful ones
may have seen for Smell, viii cause the fu-
perstitious 10 prognosticate his convic ion.
1t is the fatal number 10. In the fist
place the child he Killed was thirteen
years OF age, there are thirteen murderers
now at the Jail, one being out on bail, and
the letters comprising the names of the
attorneys who are prosecuting the case for
the Goyernment--Anderson and Could
number thirteen. Thomas H. Anderson
contains thirteen letters so does Charles
Turner, SHELLS chief counsel, and that
gentleman lives at 9l3 New York Avenue,
which, besides ending in the figures. foots
up total Of thirteen, and the letters in
the avenue In which he resides number
thirteen. and Edw'd II. Mitchell. the le:-
tiers OF whose name comprise thirteen, lives
at 4l3 Second Street southeast.
Mr.. Mitchell said yesterday TO reporter
for The Times that he did not think the
case would require more than week for
trial. and he refused to name any Of the