The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-14
Mrs. Nations Attorneys Set Up
This For Defense.
Famous Joint Smasher Protests
But Mildly.
OYERMYER ON STAND.
Testifles Concerning Actions OF
the Crusader.
Whole DemeanOr Of Mrs. Nation
is Changed.

The case against Mrs. Nation for the
destruction OF the property of Frank
Murphy at III Sixth avenue east on
February II went to the jury at ten
minutes of twelve this morning. The
jury was out 10 minutes and was then
called back and excused until 1870 for
dinner.
The only defense advanced by the at
torneys for Mrs. Nation was that of in
sanity They rely solely upon that for
the jury to bring in verdict OF not
guilty
In his instructions to the jury Judge
Hazen said that a verdict of guilty
OF not guilty were the only ones the
jury could make and that the jury
could not bring in a verdict pronounc-
ing her insane.
During the morning the court room
filed up and when the case went to the
jury there was a fair sized crowd in at
tendance. Dr. H NJ. Hamiu of Jack
sOnville. H.. Rev. B. W. Spillman of
North Carolina and J. A. johnson of the
Sunday School Times, all here attending
the Sunday school convention. who were
introduced by a letter from Judge Gun
ningham to the court as students of
human nature" were close observers of
the proceedings.
During the trial few of Mrs Ma
tion's staff officers" came in and when
the case closed she was surrounded by
Rev. F. w. Emerson. Mrs. M F. Good
win. Miss Madaline Southard, Mrs G.
Chadwick and Mrs. White. The little
company was but a corporars guard of
the following she used to have. Two
months ago when she was tried, no
matter how large or small the court
room, it was crowded with her SYM
pathizers. All but the faithful few have
deserted her. She is but shade of her
former greatness.
Mrs. Nation does not seem to relish
the insinuation as to her mind being un-
balanced She has always ScOffed at the
idea Of her movements being prompted
BY insanity. She always maintained
that her acts were in the cause of hu-
manlty- When asked this morning
what she thought about the insanity
proposition in her defense Mrs. Nation
said They said Hamlet was insane
but there was method in his madness.
be-
OyERMYER ON THE STAND.
At the morning session of the trial
David Overmyer was called by the de-
Have you ever seen Mrs. Nation?'
asked Attorney Dumenil.
Yes I saw her at the Democratic
city convention" replied Mr.. Overmyer.
Have you seen her anywhere else?''
Yes. In court"
What was she doing?'
she tried to address the court"
Joseph Reed was called.
Do you know Carrie Nation?''
Yes, answered Reed
Have you seen her in court2''
Yes
Was she being tried for joint smash
ing2"
Object" said Attorney Nichols.
Objections sustained" said Judge
Hazen-
How did she aet?''
As I suppose an insane person would
Mrs Nation smiled.
Explain what she did?''
she saw someone smoking and
threw up her hands and said, You are
polluting the air 7"
Did these actions continue every
time YOU saw her2"
Yes, she was always excited"
FROM what you have seen Of her
nave you an opinion as to her sanity?'
What is that opinion?"
Your opinion must be based upon the
facts you have stated and not given a.
an expert, said the court
I think she is insane on that sub
1ect'
On cross-examination Otis Hunsate
said; Her followers seem to act the
same way?'
Yes
Then they are all about alixe?"
They are all more or less insane on |
that subject
Police Judge Magaw was called. Mrs.
Naton was tried in Magaw's court |
twice and once visited him at his office
tore down some nude pictures and ask I
ca Lne judge if he was in love
How did she appear2"
Sne gave me the impression that she
thought herself a martyr
" nat did Mrs. Nation do at your
Officer" sui
She took exception to some calendars
on screen in the office
How long did she remain?'
think we got her out about noon''
ld you nave much trouble in shak-
ing her2'' asked Attorney Balm.
Mrs. Nation smiled.
Yes, replied Magaw.
From your observations of her have
you an opinion as to her sanity?''
L have
What is your opinion?"
Il think her insane"
Continuing the cross examination
Attorney Hungate said:
We're those calendars obscene?"
What were they?'
They are called fairy calendars -
We're they dressed like fairies? ~
No. sir
We're they fully dresaed2"
Well. now. isn't it fact that to a
eonnolsseur Of art they would be pleas
ngs but TO an old woman like Mrs.
y Na@Ilon @ tney would be objectiOnable2'
There j. nothing objectionable
on redirect examination Attorney
Balm said:
'ar rooms and 5oints7" |