The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-19

1t is expected that Justice Cole will an
nounce his decision in what is known as
the John Kane lunacy proceedings during
the current week. The case was set for
hearing on Friday November Q, but was
postponed until Monday last, when all the
testimony was submitted Argument was
then delayed until Friday last and was
again post. oned.
Because of the age of Kane and the ad
ditional fact that while he was Under
commitment to ST. Elizabeth's Asylum
for the Insane, but at large on probation.
he was married to Mary Sheridan has
caused unusual interest in the case. Ac
cording to the testimony offered Kane,
who is the owner of real estate in this
city valued at between $1,000 and $4,000.
was adjudged of unsound mind in 1895 and
committed to St Elizabeths Asylum for
care and treatment At the time of bis
commitment Edward j. Stellwagen was
appointed committee to take charge of
his estate. About year ago, however,
Kane's mental condition was SO greatly
improved that the superintendent of the.
asylum allowed him to return to the city
and live among his friends. While on
| probation 1t was testified that Kane lived
| with his married daughter and her chill
dren.
Besides being old-he is over sixty
| years of age-Kane is almost entirely
deaf, has nearly lost his sight. and is
very feeble, Last July it was stated he
| met Mary Sheridan and after short &C
quaintance with her they were married.
When called on to testify in the case Mrs.
Kane stated that she is thirty-three years
| of age.
| A few days after the marriage of Kane
| and Miss Sheridan was announced Mr..
| Stellwagen instituted proceedings in
| equity to have the marriage contract an
| nulled and declared void. This petition
| is now pending before the Supreme Court
| of the District Soon after the filing of
| proceedings by Mr.. Sfellwagen to annul
| the marriage contract. Kane was taken
| charge of by the asylum authorities and
| has since been confined at ST. Elizabeth's
| Asylum.
| About two weeks ago Kane filed a pc
! tition in the Supreme Court asking that
| he be discharged from the asylum, as being
cured and restored TO reason. At the in
vestigation held last Monday several ply
sicians testified concerning kane's mental
| condition, and as is usual in all such cases,
| the doctors disagreed.
| During the present week II is expected
| that decision will be handed down by
| the Court of Appeals in the case of George
| w. Offutt against the Washington and
Georgetown Railroad. This case, it will be
remembered, was tried in Circuit Court
last winter before Justice Hagner. The
plaintiff sued the railroad company Tor
$50 600 which he claimed as damages TO his
business because Of loss resulting from the
parking of its cars in front OF his place OF
business in Georgetown. Offutt was rep
resented by Attorneys Davis and Tucker,
ria
weeks, the jury which heard the evidence
returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff
for $4,000 From this judgment the de-
PENDANT appealed to the Court OF Appeals
for the District, and two days was taken
up last week with hearing the arguments
for a new trial.
Charles L. McUin. who is under sentence
TO be hanged in the District Jail on Fri
day next for the murder of Robert l.. Tur-
ner through his counsel, 7. l.. Jeffords,
has taken an appeal from the judgment
of the Supreme Court of the District TO
the Court of Appeals for the District. The
latter tribunal has not, however, yet con-
sidered the appeal. and in all probability
will not before Friday. In this event 1t is
likely that Mr.. Jeffords will apply to JUS
tice Clabaugh, who presided at the trial
of McUin. for delay of the execution OF
sentence until that case has been passed
upon by the Court Of Appeals.
Both McUin and Turner were employees
of the Metropolitan Railroad Company. and
were aspirants for the affections oil the
same woman She, il was said, was en-
gagged to be married to McUin, but dis
carded him for Turner. The former be-
came angry, and, it was contended, sought
Turner and provoked quarrel with him,
which resulted in Turner'S death
Thee are two prisoners in the District
Jail charged with murder, but no time has
.tn.r -in1c tE
pected however, that one OF them Will be
called to trial on Monday next Prepare
lions are being made by the District At
torney to dispose of both these cases be-
fore the Christmas holidays.
The decision OF Judge Charles r. Scott
on Saturday in the case of X. A. Golden.
who was charged in Police Court with
conducting an auctioneerS bus ness with
out a license, is regarded by attorneys as
| being far reaching in its effects. The
| decision is in accord with the views of
| A. b Duyall, Attorney for the District
| Commissioners, and practically settles
| the question of a merchants right to sell
| his own goods at his own establishment
| by the competitive bid plan.
Golden conducted a wholesale fish bust
| ness at his store house at the foot of
Eleventh Street southwest. In May ana
| June. when fish were plentiful. he was
| in the habit of punching the fish In large
4
numbers and selling them to the highest
| bidders among his customers. On jan
uary % last Golden was notified by As
| SCISSOR Darncille that he was in arrears
| for the payment for an auctioneers Ii
cense. Golden refused to pay the license
| demanded and referred the matter to his
| attorney. S. T Thomas. In the mean
| time the matter was referred by the
Commissioners to Attorney Duvall.
| After conference as regards the facts
| in the case the Attorney submitted his
| opinion to the Commissioners. which, in
| effect, was that Golden is not liable for
| the payment Of an auctioneer's license.
Investigation proved that Golden dis
posed of his FISH during the months OF
| Nav and June as stated above. In so
doing, however, he did rot make the
| customary outcry of an auctioneer sell
| ing goods nor did he advertise the sale
| of his fish by auction. Further than this,
| IL was stated that he did not announce
his sales by the raising of red flag or
| any other device.
RAIDED A BARBER SHOP.