The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-14
A VERDICT OF INSANITY
The Marshars Jury Declares Peters
to Be of Unsound Mind.
The Eccentric Patient Testifcs in
His own Behalf - His Replies to
Examining Attorneys Create Ere
auent Laughter Physicians Re
Iicvc He VIII Finally Recover.

Eugene Peters was adjudged to be OF
| unsound mind late yesterday afternoon by
| the marshal's jury before which proceed
| ings concerning his mental condition were
instituted on Tuesday The hearing was
resumed at II o'clock yesterday morn
! ing and various witnesses were examined
until o'clock yesterday afternoon, when
the jury retired. Among the witnesses
who were examined was Peters himself.
He was on the stand for an hour and a
| half and, although his testimony was de-
livered in rational manner, it aboanded
in extravagant statements. At times his
replies to the attorneys who questioned
him were extremely amusing and provok-
ed to laughter the large number of spec
| tators who thronged the room. AT times
he fatty refused to answer questions put
to him.
The proceeding which were conducted
by William B. Robinson, Assistant United
States Marshal for the District of Col
umbia were instituted as the result
OF petition in equity filed by Peters
aunts, Z. Annie Hannum, Emma Gar
rett, and Hannah Parsell. Mrs. Peters
later filed petition that she should be
allowed competence in case her hus-
band was adjudged insane.
Since February /, Peters had been tenn
porarily confined at St Elizabeth's asy-
lum. He was sent there after his arrest
at the instigation of his wife and others
who were led to believe by his strange
actions that he was insane. ...-.
The first witness to be called after the
hearing was resumed at II o'clock yester-
day morning was the Rev. Thomas Chal-
mers Easton, d. D., who also presented
testimony on Tuesday. DR.. Easton was
handed several letters which he identi-
fed as having been given TO him by Peters
at st. EliZabeth's on Saturday last. One
of the letters contained directions for DR.
Easton TO go to a local undertaken and
order steel coffin which was to be sent
to Peters at the asylum. Dr. Easton eX-
planned that Peters had said he wanted
a steel coffin because he expected TO 10 to
hell that night. Peters himself was sit
ting at the table apparently busily writing
and looking up at this juncture, remark
ing that he did not exactly need a coffin
at the time, but he wanted to have one
on hand. DR.. Easton also testified that
Peters desired that palace car should
be built to his order.
DR.. Morris J. Stack, a physician at St.
Elizabeth's, testified concerning Peters
conduct while there confined. He consid-
cred Peters condition one of acute mania,
from which recovery under the best Of
care would be matter of eight or ten
months at the least. He thought Peters
condition was not caused by the use OF
alcohol and dissipation alone.
DR.. D. Percy Hickling stated that he
f,,Nl LaNw ~ H.,
questioned concerning his condition said
that his condition was one OF acute mania,
induced by combination of alcoholic in
dulgences and other causes and that re-
covery might ensue after period of
proper care. He considered Peters unfit
to care for himself or property.
John C. Head, counsel for Peters, then
announced that Peters would take the
stand in his own behalf A recess WAS
taken until l o'clock.
Immediately after the hearing was re-
sumed Peters took the stand. He said
in answer to questions that he was pos
sessed of a large fortune, but did not
spend anywhere near his income, which he
estimated at over $50 000. He stated that
since he inherited his fortune he had in
creased 1t by about $50, 600. In answer TO
a query as TO what pursuits he devoted
most of his time Peters replied that he
did not know what he did except to raise
occasionally.
J. NJ Wilson questioned Peters in re-
gard TO his automobiles. Peters read
memorandum of purchases of automobiles
and said that he used champagne mixed
with wood alcohol TO run the machines.
The witness often refused to answer ques-
lions and frequently used fOrcible Eng
lish He stated that he had burned up sew
eral people in an alcohol lamp in Roches-
ter, after he had been chased around the
country by a number of "tn horn gam
blers'' who were peculiar looking rats"
He continually referred to tin horn gam
blers" and said he often won money from
them. He was asked II he had bought
any wine in Washington He replied that
he did not remember having bought any.
He then described trips he made TO
New York and other places. The recital
of experiences was delivered in clear
and concise manner.
In reply TO a question by one Of the jury
as TO his present physical CONDITION,
Peters declared that he was in much bet
ter health now than he was six months
ago.
He stated that he was badly treated at
ST. Elizabeths where, he declared, the
attendants treated the patients of that
institution in brutal and ignorant man
ner." He said that his purpose in break
ing up his bed while there was TO attract
attention that he might be provided with
medicine. He said that during the pres
emit year he had not drunk over a quart
of wine or anything else not given him
by a physician. He told OF an instance
when he was drugged in a resort in the
city and then presented with a bill of 5000
which the proprietor said he ordered for
articles.
After additional testimony OF minor i'm
portance had been adduced the room was
cleared and a short time later the YER
diet was returned.
Movements of Naval Vessels.