The San Francisco call., 1901-10-08
SELF-DEFENSE
PLEA UPHELD
DR.. RoWell Testihes in
Favor Of Jessup's
Slayer.
Asserts Belief That Adams
Was Insane at Time
of Shooting.
Oakland ONCE Sam Francisco Can,


Ills Broadway, Oct. 4
DE-. H. NJ. Rowell. Health officer of
Berkeley was an important witness to-
day in the Adams murder case. DR.. Row
ell not only asserted his belief that Ad-
ans was insane at the time of the shoot
ing, but bore out the theory of the de-
fense that Adams shot Dr. Jessup in self
defense. He had warned Jessup that Ad-
ans was insane and dangerous.
Were you ever called to attend Mr..
ADAMS professionally? was asked of DR..
RoWell
Yes; prior to the shooting MAY IS, I
think it waS) was called TO his house
and found him suffering from delirium
tremens. l did not treat him then, but
later In the day gave him something to
quiet his nerves When l returned a day
or two afterward he had recovered some
What from his deltrium, but still talked
lncoherently, He complained OF pains in
the back of his head and between inter
walls Of barking and yelling he would say
For Gods sake. doctor, stop that pam
days he got over his illusions about little
devils and became cOnvalescent. / didnI
see him again until the Saturday before
the shooting.
Describe what occurred on the Satur-
day before the shooting"
'I-should say his conduct was about the
same as before, though the symptoms OF
L would say that he then just deli
riOusly drunk. His language was inco-
herent his eyes twitched and he had a
peculiar bark like a young dog.
Did you have any conversation with
YES; he talked great deal His pc
cul1ar lay was literature, of which he
thought he was a great critic. He thought
himself the peer of any living authorize
thought, himself supreme as a htterateur.
fallacies of The Christian, BY Hall
Caine. was surprised that he considered
himself so capable"
Believes Adams Was Insane.
From your observations of Mr.. Adams
state whether you think he was sane or
insane at the time of the shooting of DR..
In my opinion he was decidedly in
sane"
After getting DR.. Rowelrs opinion upon
Adams sanity at the time of the shoot
ing, the attorneys for the defense brought
out from the witness that DR.. Jessup had
on several occasions made threats against
the person of Adams. This testimony the
prosecution was unable to break down on
cross-e examination.
Ibid you know DR.. JeSsup well?' was
asked DR.. ROWeU.
Eyes, knew him quite WELL
did you ever have any conversation
with him in regard to Adams?'
Yes"
What was it?''
'Dr. Jessup said to me on the Sunday
before the shooting, while we were walk
ing from my office. This man has not any
gun; I'll go to his room and beat his
mead OIL Inc man 5 q - DuilJ, ana
/ mean to beat his head off. "
What occurred before this conversa-
ton you speak of that should have led
Dr.. JessuD to say those words?" asked
Deputy District Attorney Samuels on
cross-examinatiCn.
well. DR.. JeSSup came running out to
my buggy in the street one day ana
said to me, You're the Health Officer Of
this town, and if you don't do something
to settle this thing Ill settle it myself
He's got to stop his abuse l told him 1t
was not my prerogattve to restrain in
sane or drunken people, but that would
do everything l could to assist Adams
family Later when | saw him | told him
l would see District Attorney Allen and
take steps to have Adams confined. 1t
was then he said that Adams had no pis
tol | then warned him to be careful, as
it was dangerous to interfere with an in
sane man.
''Did Adams ever say anything to you
about his drinking habits?
'Yes: he said that he would quit drink
ing but for the pains in his head. He re-
garded that necessity forced him to drink
in order to relieve his pain.
Miss Agnes S. Adams was on the Wit
ness stand all morning and until late
this afternoon undergoing crOSs-examtna-
tion at the hands of the District Attorney.
The prosecution was unable TO shake her
testimony, and nothing of interest was
brought out When she left the stand
her father limDed from his chair and ca
ressed her just before she resumed her
seat beside him.