The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-02
CASE OF H. Y. NEWCOMB
FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE LOUIS
VILE & NASHVILLE ROAD,
Who Was Committed TO n sanitarium
Two Years Ago, and Who Was
Recently Declared Sane.

NEW YORK, Sept. 1.-The case Of II.
Victor Newcomb, at one time a well-known
figure in Wall street, who has just been
discharged from a sanitarium where he
had been for two years, is one of great
interest. The discharge was ordered by
Justice Geigerich. in the Supreme Court,
the justice signing the report made few
days ego by Referee Peter b. Olney, who
adjudeed, after a lengthy investigation ex-
tending over a period OF nearly year,
that the plaintiff was competent and able
TO manage his own affairs.
The case has been fought bitterly and
determinedly by both sides. The referee
heard the testimony of nearly 200 witnesses.
The transcript Of this testimony covers
nearly 1000 or more typewriter pages, and
reviews the family history of the New
combs for fifteen years The opposing
lawyers were Ggnoux & Gignoux, with
De Lancey Nicoll counsel, for Mr.. New
comb; Harrison, Seasongood & Edwards,
with Burton n. Harrison as counsel, for
Mrs. Newcomb and Herman d. Newcomb,
her son, and Swayne. Swayne, Morris &
Fay for j. Anderson Halves, appointed
committee for Mr. Newcomb at the time
of his commitment on Aug. 5, 1899.
II. Victor Newcomb was born in Louis
the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. He
was elected to the same position after his
fathers death. In 1881, after resigning the
presidency on account of ill-health, he
came to New York and established the
United States National Bank, at 80 Mas
sau street. and became its president As
ISOLATED with him in the management or
the bank were General Grant, Norris n
Jesup, William r. TraVerS and Henry b
In 1891 his health again began to fail.
and with his son, Herman, he went to
Europe. They returned in November or
that year on the steamship Teutonic, and
it was depOsed by his son that on the Voy-
age over Mr.. NewcOmb became possessed
of the idea that Henry NJ. Stanley, the
African explorer, who was aboard the snip,
had designs his life. 1t was set forth
by his wife and son that he was addicted
10 the use of choral. He was confined Tor
"A time in a sanitarium at Falkirk, Central
Valley, N Y, but after undergoing treat
ment there for time was pronounced
MIR. Newcomb owns a city residence at
6S3 Fifth avenue, where his wife has lived
n. j. In July, 1899. his wife petitiOned that
| he again be examined as to his sanity de-
| claring her husband was not cured OF the
choral habit; Dr. cyrus EdSon MT NJ New.
| patient was using choral TO excess, and
| that his eccentricities We're pronounced On
| Aug. of that year he was taken before
Sherifts Jury and ad1udged insane, ana was
| again confined in the sanitarium at Central
| Valley, at which place he remained until
| the following December.
| An appeal was made to the Supreme
| Court and he was allowed to leave the
| sanitarium on parole, his sOn-in-law, Regi-
| nald III. Ward, bringing him to this city,
| where he stayed at the Hotel Grenoble. On
| May l following his attorneys peut1Oned
| the Supreme Court to have his committee,
| j. Anderson Halves discharged, on the
| ground that Mr. NewCOmb able to
| manage his own affairs. The motion was
| contested by his wife and son, and also by
Mr.. Halves through his counsel Gen.
| Swayne. On May Is following Justice Fitz-
| gerald handed down his decision denying
! the suit of Mr.. Newcomb, but ordered that
testimony should be taken on the case rela-
| tive to the mental condition of Mr.. New
| comb, and appointed Peter b. Olney of 81
Nassau street as referee.
| The investigation began in November of
| last year. and has been carried on inter-
| rittently up to July l. when it was closed.
Referee Olney, after giving the testimony
| months consideration, decided in his
judgment Mr.. Newcomb was competent and
returned his decision to the Supreme Court,
| Justice Gegerich signing the order which
released the committee from any further
| responsibility and making Mr. NeWcOmb
the executor of his own affairs.
| During the progress of the investigation
| Mr. Newcomb testified in his own behalf
| and made an excellent impression He said
that his relations with his son for the last
| ten years were not pleasant He declared
| that his son on one occasion at a dinner
| he giving TO eX-President Harrisoa
| had refused to come to the dinner table,
much TO his embarrassment. He also
| stated that when he went to see Gen. Grant
! while the latter was ill and shortly before
his death that his sons behavior was not
| as il should have been.
| Herman Newcomb, the son, also testified
| as to the GOODNESS which had existed for a
| long time between him and his father He
| was asked by Mr.. Nicoll as TO his father
| statement that he was always armed. He
| admitted that he carried a pistol, but that
he had permit TO do so from Mayor
| Strong. He stated in reply to Mr.. Nicol's
questioning on the subject that he had sew
| eral different kinds of weapons in the house
ON Fifth avenue. Mr.. Nicoll asked him if
for what reason ne required il. He replied
that his father had taught him that every
good kentuckan carried a revolver