The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-02-13

The enquiry into the mental condition
of Eugene Peters. which was begun yes
terday before a MarsEaTs jury. was re-
sumed this morning at Il o'clock The
grand jury room at the City Hall was
well filed with spectators when the Rev
Thomas c. Easton, D. D., one OF the
witnesses who testified yesterday. was
again called to the stand. Dr.. Eas-on was
handed a letter. which he at once idsnti-
fed as one given to him by Mr. Peters
on Saturday last. The letter contained
instructions in regard to various matters,
including directions to order coffin from
a local undertaken. Dr.. Easton testified
that Mr. Peters told him he desired the
coffin should be made of steel, as ne in
tended to go to ten that night.
At this juncture. Mr. Peters, who vas
present, remarked that he had seen the
undertaken about the coffin, and that al
though he did not need one, he desired
to have ore on hand.
Continuing his testimony Dr. Easton
stated that on one occasion Mr.. Peters
had talked Of having a palace car made
in which he proposed to make a trip about
the world; going first to the Hawaiian Isl
ands TO attend q concIave Of Mystic Shrin-
ers.
Dr. Morris J. Stack. a physician at St
Eliza beths Asylum described Mr. Peters
actions while confined at that institution.
Dr. Stacks testimony in this direction
practically corrOborated that given yes
terday by DR.. Richardson. the Superin-
tendent of the Asylum. DR.. Stack said
rh2T AT tho J.. = a ,C+y, i
er Mr. Peters master Of himself or fit to
be at large Il was not the opinion of the
witness that the symptoms displayed by
Mr. Peters were the direct result of the
excessive use of alcohol. but that his con-
dlJton might have arisen from such ex-
cesses. He expressed the belief that IN
der proper care it would be d matter of
several months, at least, before improve
meut was shown in Mr. Peters condition.
DR.. Stack considered Mr.. Peters present
condition one Of acute mania induced by
general causes.
n answer 10 q question from member
Of the jury Dr. Stack said that Peters
condition showed evidence Of having been
induced by causes other than excessive use
OF alcohol
Dr.. D. Percy HickIing said he had been
called to see Ar- Peters and found him
suffering from acute mania the result Of
ton He thought that under proper care
he might recover in ten months, but in
his present condition IS unfit 10 care for
himself and his property. Dr. Hickllng
stated that about 70 per cent OF cases OF
those like Peters recover. and expressed
the opinion that Peters condition would
become worse If he was allowed freedom
and TO follow his own desires
J. NJ Wilson. one OF the counsel fer Nr
Peters aunts. suggested that tie hearing
be closed With the reservation that fur
ther testimony might be offered If Ge-
sired
John C. HeaId remarked that the case
was an unusual one. and That Mr. Peters
would take the stand IN his own behalf,
and would be able 10 disprOve the stories
of his eXtravagant expenditures. He stat
ed that Mr. Peters estate did not amount
TO over 1886. COO
G. E Hamilton counsel for Mrs Peters.
addressed the jury and advised them to
consider the testimony carefully. He said
that the question was 10 decide whether
or not Mr. Peters was mentally unbal-
anced, and that the law made no provision
for the care of mere spendthrift
Adjournment was then taken until
o'clock.
Immediately after the hearing was re-
sumed Mr.. Peters took the stand in MS
own behalf