Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-05-18
is HE INSANE?
Geo. H. Brainerd Committed
to Hospital, Friday.
Portland Murderer Will Be Examined
as to His Sanity.
mFs' 6ra'nerd Interviewed Says He Has Beer
Insane TO-. Y, airs.

! george Ill. Brainerd. charged with
shooting four men in the telephone ex-
VhahSe at Portland. two of whom died
| arrived in the city, yesterday, on the
40 =. NJ. train in charge of Deputv
sheriff Dunn. He was taken at once
| TO the Insane hospital in accordance
with the orders of Judge Ronnev IF
the Cumberland superior court. where
he VIII remain until the September
term of court, meanwhile being ex
i'hihed At the hospital with view of
learning his true mental condition.
I'Galnerd was handcuffed and was
very quiet. He has changed greatly
from his appearance at the time he
was in Augusta on business connected
with telephone company.
Mrs. Brainerd. the wife of the pris-
"hcr' came on the same train, and went
70 the hospital. Returning later, she
stopped. last night. at the Cony house.
ana VIII return to Portland today. She
permitted the Journal reporter to inter-
View her. last evening, and she as
serted in very strong and positive
terms that her husband is insane and
has been for years past. Mrs Brain
erd is young and attractive woman
or pleasant appearance. She greeted
the reporter cordially and talked free
| ly regarding her husband In answer
to question concerning Brainerd's in
sanity she said:
The man is insane and has been for
years. He was insane before | ever
knew him. | married him some 10
years ago. and I noticed from the
| first that he had queer spells and his
| friends and some who We're not his
| friends noticed il. too.
He did not act violently until four
years ago. He has tried to take my
| life more than once and he has at
tempted suicide. He attempted to
| choke me to death one night. This
| happened once a year ago this month :
! How did you dare to live with him
| if he acted as you say?" the reporter
| asked.
What could 1 do?" Mrs. Brainerd
| answered. My place was with him.
! thought it my duty TO stay. Since
he has been in Jail have visited him
! almost every day. once. two days did
pass without my seeing him. l was
| too i'll to go out then and was confined
| to my bed. l have carried him fruit
| and clothes and have done everything
| I could and it has been hard strain.
| | may break down and be sick after It
| il all over.
| Il am not going to stop in Augusta.
| | shall go back to Portland, tomorrow
/ but / shall come to Augusta and see
| him frequently. ! hope | won't have
| to so on the stand at the trial but if
| do I can and shall clear him. 1t will
/ be great surprise to me. however. if
| he lives until September. He is failing
| fast. If I hadn't seen him for the past
| six weeks and should meet him on the
street. now. l honestly believe | would
not know him, so greatly has he
changed.
| Il was alone with him in his cell at
| Portland n short time. this morning,
andNI was afraid he would kill me.
| He grasped my arms in close grip
and said: You shan't leave me- He
doesn't realize what he has done. He
is to crazy to know.
When we reached the Insane hos
pital. he said to me: You have PLAYED
your game and you have won. You
won't see me again He thinks |
am against him. / have engaged
Judge E,noch Foster and Levi Green
lief of Portland. as counsel
Mrs. Brainerd was visibly affected
during the conversation. but she
talked with plainness and force. espe-
lcialIy when she said there could not
| be the least doubt as to Brainerd
insanity.