Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-24

[ by all of these gentlemen, and their en-
Iphatic opinions as to the pronounced in
sanity and the responsibility OF tn"
parties, several articles have been writ
ten, in the state and out, criticising the
action of the judges and juries as well.
\ OF the eight cases of conviction 10
which have referred, upon plea Of in
tsanity set up by the defense, the court
ordered four of the individuals to the
tAlaine Insane hospital for observation
that the truth or falsity of the plea If
lties observed by me We're: Knight, Hoi g
tdon, Hurd and Brsinard and the observi-
! lion, on an average. extended over a pc
Rod Of four months. If space would al
| low it might be OF interest to offer 4
detailed report of the clinical history OF
each case and also To state the charac-
| ter of the verbal and written opinions Of
| the various alienistS who We're called into
| the case from other states both by thc
prosecution and the defense.
BY your permission | Will, however Of
Bradford l.. Knight because the tragedy
occurred in our midst, Of which you VIII
| recall the details
i Bradford =. Knight is now forty-sev,n
I years of age although manilcstinS the
| physical appearance Of person of SeN-
| entY. He was born under the scathing
| influence Of hereditary tendency to insane
neuroses. 1t is said that Knight mani
tested some instability Of brain function
ana pecuiarities III conduct at puberty,
| but active alienation of mind was not Oh
served until 1889. At this time. while out
at work in the heat, he received d sun
stroke which affected him seriously and I
severe illness OF two months followed lie
| became Responding, morose and at times
exceedingly confused, would wander
away from home and on one occasion WIs
found in the city r1 Portland in a con-
ditiOn Of mind in which he was unable 10
give amy account OF himself Soon after.
he made his appearance at a brothers
house IN Lewiston in an exceedingly
- man p,a.lt4 10
imagined that he was lost and was
threatening ana homicidal in his language
ana conduct Steps were at once taken
for his admission 10 the Maine Insane
hospital where he became 4 patient No
yember S, 1889. While under treatment I'LL
| exhibited all Of the indications Of 4 con-
diton of agitated mClIncholia, pacing the
floor. rubbing his hands ana head. and
the expiration of 4 few weeks he was VS.
tied by brother who found him 81
homeSCk that he took him from the in
stitutlOn. bN my permission. Or the cir
cumstanCes Of the homicide in the killiug
Of mis- Wifcs sister IS a matter Of common
knowledge and of which YOU are doubt
less all familiar. The killing Of Mamie
Small occurred in February. 1899, and the
writer examined him in jail the second
day after tho homicide. There was every
Indication from his general appearance
his conduct. language, and facial express
Sions that he was Il sufferer from extreme
mclanchDlil. He was nervous, suspicious
| ana would not take nourishment because.
| * No asserted rvrryhndv was MATING
,i,,.4 ''' III, - ~ "0"H 49, ti,
| plea of insanity was Immediately insti-
ruted and he was ordered. bX the court.
| tfnucd to refuse. food more or less for
some little time because Of the same de
luSiOnS ana hdlucina lions existing at the
| jill. His condition at this time was eX
rc,dinglv distressing marked IN par-
nv,sms ~ mtIanrh0ii,-n"ita than
| I1sninlr intn = rnndifinn ~ "raat acti\--
| inv and rytr4ma confilsinn nf mini Wb,r
,; ~ - ~ ~ iiii,,'' w - II
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>tr,iiv nv th9,p mai tba, r"riiit,ed IN
~ Ri c,,,,,,',,,ii IN 40 rII,,i
rnrpstricfrJ \-ieitItinnc vet his deIrsinn..
IN nina nr,-siStnI and ,indar ta@sn f,I
beliefs III manifestgd strong, homicI,,,tI
tendencies III ATTEMPTS On several occr-
,iOns to take my life A week previous a.
the trial in November. by direction Of
the nrospcItinn he was removed IN five
rnupt,- iaiI in order that tbe o,-nort
frn,,, n,,f If Tho St,tn Who u,er,, c,iiad -,
avainira hin, nie,Lf not II is f1ir To- ma.
iinin he hd h. 1rtrrat,,,s i
N t3r tIiaI which cnyrraJ , nerfnI ~ i
wrrk n, i1rpn 1morrnt III evidoncr vls
nrn.rntnd hntb i'll I'LL nrnserntion "31
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