The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-16
LOWE IS INSANE.
Has a Hearing In Probate Court
Today.
He Appears Haggard and Ema-
ciated, but Quiet.
WILL GO TO ASYLUM.
Commission of Physicians Find
That He Is a Fit Subject.
If He Is Released as Cured May
Again Be Tried.

John c. Lowe, who has three times
been before the district court on the
charge of numbering his wife, Fanny
Lowe, at the Reform school, June 22,
1902 was this morning found to be in
sane by commission of physicians in
the probate court, composed of Dr. B.
D. Eastman and DR.. "A. c. Davis.
Lowe was arrested Tuesday after
noon on the charge of insanity.
The trial in the district court where
Lowe was before a jury on the charge
of murder came to an end owing to the
report of DR.. Lindsay, DR.. Grubbs and
DR.. Lewis that Lowe was temporarily
insane and not in condition to stand
trial. Lowe was locked up in the coun-
ty Jail. Jailer Lawson reported that
Lowe was noisy for about two hours
after he was locked up, but then be-
came quiet. He ate a hearty supper
and slept soundly all night.
When Lowe appeared in the probate
court this morning he displayed signs
of suffering from excitement or sleep
lessness. His face was haggard and
drawn more than before since the kill
| ing occurred at the Reform school, His
eyes were swollen and his cheeks un-
der his eyes were puffed- Lowe did
not display signs of insanity while in
the probate court and was not violent
nor noisy.
When Judge Hayden announced that
the trial should proceed. J. c. Lowe
| jumped to MS feet
/ Il want to say something, if the
court will allow me- said Lowe.
| Jailer Carl Lawson. who had brought
Lowe from the county jail to the court
room. attempted to take hold of Lowe
| and make him sit down.
I'm all right, Carl" said Lowe. t'I
know what I am doing.
! ho +ad fo he f~ia for
insanity. I am not insane. am in a
sane condition. / have been in Jail for
two years. and have suffered. l have
q horror of being sent to an insane
asylum to be confined with crazy peo-
jple, and propose to fight the case. 1
would rather be dead than in an in
sane asylum I do not propose to go.
know what I am doing. and I am not
| insane. ] demand to be tried by
| jurrr.
Crandall Lowe, the father of J. C.
Lowe. the defendant. entered the court
room and spoke to his son.
IF he is found insane can I send him
4 to a private asylum" asked Crandall
Lowe Of the court.
IF he is found to be insane he must
go to an insane asylum, replied Judge
Hayden.
Addressing J. C. Lowe, Judge Hay
den said: do you wish to have a spe-
cial venire or have Jurors called in?''
'I want to know what the form of
trial IS" said Lowe.
| Under the law you will be tried by
a commission or you may demand a
jury" replied Hayden.
who would the commission be?"
| asked Lowe.
Or B. D. Eastman and DR.. A. G.
Davis are the two physicians on the
commission
"Dr. Eastman is an alienist, but do
not know DR.. Davis" said Lowe
Turning to DR.. Davis he said: Are
you an alienist?"
aY,7 7
piled DR.. Davis.
81 think I ought to have three physf-
clans on the commission said Lowe.
The law provides for but two,'' said
Judge Hayden.
/ May I act as my own attornev7'
asked Lowe
Not If you have jury. I shall ap-
point an attorney to act for you
Il don't want any of those attorneys
VINO have represented me for they are
on the other side said Lowe
Il Will appoint one of the best at
torneys in Topeka" replied Judge Hay
den.
If may be allowed to represent my
self and if 1 may question witnesses
and object to testimony 1 am willing
to have the two physicians"
Hayden.
81 will make no disturbance" said
Lowe. I am all right this morning. .
DR.. L. A. Ryder testified that he had
examined Lowe for a few minutes be-
!, fore the trial. He said he found Lowe
. in good condition.
Did display any evidence of hallu-
cinations ?" asked Lowe.
NO. replied DR.. Ryder.
"Any mental aberration?"
NO.
do you consider me insane?" asked
Lowe.
''I do not replied DR. Ryder.
!. David Overmyer asked if he thought
I 7 4 k1o
, DR.. Ryder said he thought Lowe
, might have suffered from hypochon-
. dria and that he had suffered from
a severe nervous strain.
CrandaH Lowe, father of the defend
ant. was called to the stand. He said
Lowe is 80 years old and was married
in 1895.
WAS he good student?'' asked Dav-
id Overmyer.
He was a. good student and studied
hard. He carried his books to the field
to study replied the witness.
:Was his grandfather. ]. c. Kinzie,
on his mothers side insane2"
He became insane the year after
; was married. He was religious1y in
sane He had frances and tried to
fly replied Lowe.
WAS John an obedient and affec-
yes, until he was about % years
Old
when did John first show evidence
of insanity"
.sWhile he was away at school he had
an attack of grip. He seemed insane
afterwards. He said people could read
his thoughts. He cried at night He
) said there was nothing in life for him,
and he wanted to die replied Lowe.
What did he say about the
Almighty"
HE said he thought the Almighty
was against him.
Il object to this said J. c. Lowe.
This happened ten or twelve years