The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-11-15
Deaf and Dumb Woman Only
Witness to Sisters Mude!.
COULD NOT USE MUTE SIGNS
She Was Born without the Power 10 Speak
G Hear, and Is Also Affected win
ST. vitus' Dance

Washington, Nov. ia scene proba-
bly unparalleled in the annals OF trial
by Jury was enacted in the Supreme
court of the District yesterday. James
Lanckton is being tried for the murder
OF Mrs. Bette Lee Wren.
The sister OF the dead woman was
placed on the stand she is so years
old. has been deaf and dumb since her
birth. and for years has been afhicted
with St. yitus' dance.
She IN also ignorant OF the disitsi
alphabet by which trained mutes are
able to converse.
Mr.. t. NJ. uslloudet, president or CO.
mmbia Institute for the Deaf and DUMP.
the great government establishment TOT
the instruction OF these unfortunates,
attempted to interpret the signs Oh the
He was unable 10 do so fully, but by
the use OF elementary signs employed an
the instruction of very young mutes ne
was able to gain, sufficient evidence OF
the mental condition OF the witness 10
convince him that the woman was COM
petent to testify,
In spite OF vigorous objection on the
part of Lancktons counsel, DIR. Gallau-
dets judgment was taken by the court.
and Mrs. Wren's sister, who Is known
as Miss Wren, was permitted 20 testify
TRAGEDY TOLD IN PANToMIME.
Miss Wren Is the only witness OF the
blow which is alleged TO have caused the
death OF her sister. When she was
placed on the stand new interpreter
arose in the person of an aged mulatto
woman who has been her attendant for
years.
As this negress. I'm compliance with
the direction OF the judge or attorneys,
put questions to the witness she moved
not only her hands and body, but repeat
ed the questions aloud slowly, accentuat-
ing the movement OF the lips TO carry
To the deaf witness the meaning OF the
question.
Her method of questioning was emf
nently satisfactory.
AS she put the questions the deaf wit
ness watched her with strained, intent
gaze. Then, as the meaning broke upon
Miss Wren, her hands rose, her eyes
frightened. and with swift, dramatic
gestures which made plain TO every one
In the court room the scene she described
she told In silent eloquence that Lanck-
ton had come 10 her sisters house, had
entered her bedroom was intoxicated and
spoke roughly, and then raising his hand
had dealt the Unfortunate woman
the floor.
Silence most intense accompanied this
tragic. pantomime. and at it's conclusion
Miss Wren sank back exhausted. She
was cross-examfned, but repeated her
story IN gesture with positive holdings
of her head. Several times she pointed
10 the prisoner at the bar and looked
upon him with an expression Of mingled
hate and fear
bANCKToN LOVED DEAD WOMAN.
Lanckton IL a hardy veteran about 80
years of age. He was long the strong
man In circus. and recently received q
considerable sum of money from old
companions in the circus business to help
him pay his counsel. He applied for a
pension last year and in the office OF the
attorney he employed met Mrs. Wren, a
widow, employed there as clerk He be-
came infatuated with her visited her
often and finally took "a room at her
house. lie became intensely jealous OF
all her friends, and several times when
under the influence of LIQUOR Threatened
her. Finally he is alleged TO have struck
the fatal blow. OF which only the mute
sister was witness. A blood clot re-
later.