The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1902-01-04

case, one which battles the peace of
ficers of the city and county to obtain
conclusive evidence against the man
held for the crime. But it is not the
crime itself which prompted the above
recital, nor the circumstances sur
rounding it. so damaging to the sus-
Pect in the light of what has trans
pired since the body of Hay was found
1t is of Mortensen himself that we
would speak, and his extraordinary
conduct since he has been in custody,
charged with the murder of Hay. We
must presume his innocence until he
! is found guilty. Even if convicted, 1t
| will be on testimony other than posi-
| tive proof. No one has yet been found
| who witnessed the homicide.
Mortensen. in his first quarters at the
city Hail and in his present abode at
the county Jail, offers the best example
of mind controlling matter or the spirit
controlling visible emotion that the an
nails of crime ever produced. He was
subjected to every trick of the police
to eXtort confession, but not one word
has escaped his lips involving his de-
clared innocence; not one careless sent
ence that would leave an opening for
his inquisitor to pursue the inquiry to
any effect. One would naturally sur
mise that the excitement occasioned
over the discovery of Hays murder,
with the press daily recounting Incl
dents in his own life and events shortly
before the homicide took place. in order
to fasten the guilt upon him and upon
no other, would tell upon MOrtensen
and be manifest in troubled look and
gradual physical breakdown. An ordi-
nary man innocent of the crime with
which Mortensen is charged, would
show in his person some evidence that
he felt as if the hand of the world was
against him and the law demanded his
blood. But no. Mortensen betrays no
emotion whatever. He eats three times
day and relishes his meals. Even
more. This man. accused of murder
and uncertain that he will ever again
step out of his prison into the world,
busies himself over his accounts and
gives orders to his employees regarding
the carrying out of building contracts.
Even the alleged disclosures of his wife
which he has read in the public prints
does not affect him. Instead he coolly
draws out a plan for the building of
stairway, or reads until mealtime.
Hence we must conclude that Nor
Jensen is no ordinary man; rather is he
q PSYCHOLOGICAL wonder His strange |!
suggests inquiry and scien- |
tifc investigation in order to deter !
mine the effect and extent of the hu- |
man will to overcome passion and emo |
ton, the effect of the mind in overcom-
ing matter. Mortensen is not Chris
tan Scientist, so that cult cannot cite !
him as an example of their theory put
into practice Neither is Mortensen's
4 spiritual nature, so far as his past
life gives evidence. The fact that he
prayed longer than usual on the night
If the tragedy, if it is fact, has no
on the case, only such as mag
native persons wish to give it.
Brick Pomeroy, one of the most
-ersatile writer's of his day in journal
SIN. could with ease dictate an edi-
orial to a stenographer, a letter to
mother, and carry on a conversation
With third person, all at the same
ime. Discipline so readily yielding to
he intellectual force in such instances
-ttracted the curiosity of students Of
and Pomeroy was induced
o make provision in his will donat-
ng to certain college his remains
fter death, in the interest of science.
Iortensen might be approached on the
anne subject. There is no doubt that
e would yield as readily to the whims
f scientists as did Pomeroy, and put ;
he proposition in black and white as
polly as if he were making a drawing (
f a stairway. Neither would such an
ct be regarded as any straw which
right helpnthe prosecution, for when
man is dead he is dead, whether he
les in bed or on the scaffold.