The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-20
SOME WOMEN'S REASONS
WHY THEY THOUGHT ONE OF THEIR
SEX WAS INSANE.
Evidence Is Taken by Probate Com
missioner Walker That Is of
Much Interest.

Some interesting points are involved in
a trial which began before Probate Com
missioner Walker yesterday. In 1895 Bessie
M. Corwine, of New York city, loaned $500
too Alice S. Robinson, of this city. The
money was loaned through Mrs. Corwines
agent, Horace Mckay. At the time Mrs.
Robinson lived at Oak Hill, one of the
city's suburbs, and owned piece of prop
erty. She gave a mortgage on this prop
erty to secure the $500 loan. At the time
the loan was negotiated Mrs. Robinson
was believed by Mrs Corwine and her
agent to be an unmarried woman. The
loan is still outstanding and Mrs. Robin
son is dead.
After her death, which occurred last Oc-
tober, Horace Mckay consulted with At
torney c. N. Thompson as to what should
be done TO protect Mrs. Corwine's inter-
est, and was advised to file a petition for
an administrator of Mrs. Robinson's es-
tate. This petition was filed under a law
that provides where the next of kin does
not take steps toward having an admin
istrator appointed within twenty days
after death the largest creditor may ask
that the appointment be made. Action was
taken III accordance with the attorneys
advice and Frank C. Moore was appointed
10 administer the estate. The Corwine
mortgage was then filed as claim against
Mrs. Robinson's estate and the admins
traitor allowed the claim. However, there
was no ready money with which to pay
off the mortgage and the administrator
began an action looking to the sale of
Mrs. Robinsons real estate for the pur-
Iose of satisfying the mortgage, in addi-
uon to settling other expenses agais st If e
estate. Mrs. Robinson's three filed an
answer to this complaint, setting up tie
contention that their mother was of un-
sound mind at the time the mortgage was
executed, and also claiming that she had
a husband. These allegations are not de-
MED by those representing Mrs. Corwine,
but they have been making diligent search
to find the husband and also some close
inquiry as TO the mental condition OF Mrs.
Robinson when she borrowed the money.
These are some Of the questions the pro-
bate commissioner will have to settle. 1t
is claimed that Mrs. Robinson was mar
ried In 1871. Her husband was Henry Rob-
inson. The evidence showed that h. was
supposed to have lived in Springfield, o.,
wnen last heard from, about two years
ago. 1t is claimed that he has only been
iE Indianapolis once or twice in the last
ten years. Considerable evidence was taken
yesterday as to Mrs. Robinson's mental
condition. A number of women who knew
her were present to testify. One woman
who thinks Mrs. Robinson was not of
sound mind told the commissioner why she
thought so. she said that Mrs. Robinson
once went to dressmaker and had a
dress made and when she brought it home
1t did not suit her. She was so dissatisfied
with the garment that she tore it apart
and made it over to suit herself Attorney
Thompson remarked dryly that Mrs. Rob-
inson was perhaps not the only woman who
had done the same thing.
Another witness gave a most remarkable
reason why she thought Mrs. Robinson
was insane. She said that the latter in
getting a new gown bought a waist of one
kind of material and a skirt of another.
Attorney Thompson could not refrain from
remarking that If this was held to be an
indication of insanity half the women in
the world are of unsound mind. A third
witness on being questioned as to why
she believed Mrs. Robinson was not quite
right in her mind said she did a great
deal of talking. If it can be shown that
Mrs. Robinson was a married woman when
she executed the mortgage Ii will be held
that the document is invalid because Mrs
Robinsons husband did not join with her
in executing the instrument. Several wit
nesses were examined as to Mrs. Robin
sons matrimonial affairs. Some said they
supposed she was widow and others said
they knew she was married. 1t is claimed
by the plaintiffs side of the case that
it does not matter whether Mrs. Robin
son was insane or not, II 1t is shown that
no notice was given Mrs. Corwine's agent
of the woman's condition. If the money was
loaned and the mortgage was taken In
good faith il is held, the claim is valid
The trial will be continued next week.