The Washington times., 1902-10-17
F|Tz GIBBONS PARO[ED
BY JUSTICE BARNARD
Mental Condition Will Be
Determined Today.
NOT A DANGEROUS PERSON
Alleged Lunatic Takes Stand in His
Own Behalf and Criticises Ability
of Physicians.


into custody about week ago alleged
to be insane, was yesterday paroled by
Judge Barn2 ati; ii a. m. today
when bis mental condition will be de-
termined. The physicians appointed by
the court to make an examination oi
Mr.. Fitz Gibbons testified that he is
suffering from incipient paresis, but that
he Is not a dangerous person to be al
large.
On the morning of October Z he had
some trouble with his wife, which re-
suited in his arrest on a charge of dis
orderly conduct. Before the matter was
disposed of it was decided that his mind
is unbalanced and he was sent to st
Elizabeth's Hospital for the Insane.
When the matter came up yesterday
Attorney A. A. Birney apeared on be-
half of the alleged luntic. After the
physicians and several other persons
had testified relative to Mr.. Fitz Glib
bons' mental condition. he went on the
witness stand and gave evidence in his
own behalf. He was somewhat excited
in his manner and seemed to take great
delight in criticising the ability Of the
physicians who testified against him.
He also said he had not been we'll treat
ed at the asylum. He gave brief his
tory Of his life, stating that he COM
menced to hustle for himself when he
was only eleven years old.
He is now carrying on a contract for
the removal of waste paper from most
of the governmental departments in this
city.
Not Pugilist.
Physicians had testified that Mr.. Fitz
Gibbons said something about John l..
Sullivan not being able to whip him.
He denied this. saying that while he
was in Brooklyn. N. Y, he knew Sulli-
van, Jack Dempsey, Mike Donovan, and
other ring celebrities, and had often
boxed with them.
According to Mr.. Fitz Gibbons testi-
mony he went West in 1888 and made
great deal of money, but lost it in
gold mining He married in 1887, and
soon after took his wife to Texas. While
there one day some cowboys created a
disturbance, and his wife became fright
ened and insisted that they return East.
in 1892 stationary safe for express
cars which cannot be opened by train
robbers. He was then employed by the
United States Express Company, which
he alleges adopted his patent, and since
has not lost cent by robbery.
In December, 1900. he said he went to
Europe and remained four months.
When he returned to this country he
went to work for the Southern Railway
Company, resigning July last to go into
the paper business.
Afraid of Trusts.
When asked by Justice Barnard If any
one was associated with him in the
business, he said: mo, l don't believe
in trusts. l don't want to have any
thing to DO with them for the President
might get hold Of me and put me in
prison"
There were several persons in the
courtroom who knew Mr.. Fitz Gibbons,
and they told Justice Barnard they
deemed the witness competent to at
tend to business.
AT the conclusion of the hearing d.
William Oyster told the court that if
Mr. Fitz Gibbons was permitted to go
to Providence Hospital instead of back
to the asylum he would willingly see
that he is properly cared for. The court
accepted this offer. and he was paroled
to go to the hospital. with the under
standing that he report to the court this
morning.
The hearing in the case of Frederick
c. Waite, also alleged to be insane, was
continued until next Friday.