The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-19
Experts Tell of Effects of H.
 cohOI on the Mind
QUEER THINGS IMAGINED.
Testimony Shows Parrlsa Acted In Most Peculiar Manner-The Court
 Room Crowded During Sec
 ond Day of Proceedings.

The trial of Hollis B. Parrish is moving brlskly in the first division of the Crimi- nal court. Yesterday was the second day of the trial and a large crowd was in the court room to hear the testimony of the witnesses for the defendant, who is charged with killing George S. Leonard on an electric car on July 2S, 1902. The defense is working hard to substantiate the plea of insanity and number of eX- pert witnesses were placed on the stand to testify as to what effect the excessive use of intoxicating liquors and drugs would have on the mind.
 As on the first day of the proceedings the father, three brothers and a sister of the defendant occupied seats near him. while several friends of the family were present.
 The entire day was occupied In hearing testimony for the accused There remain about a dozen witnesses to be examined for the defense and 1t Is probable the state will then introduce witnesses in rebuttal This will no doubt consume the entire time tomorrow, and 1t is probable the arguments will begin Tuesday morning It Is not thought the case will reach the jury before late Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning.
 The testimony yesterday was to the ef- feet that witnesses considered Parrish of unsound mind basing their opinions on his actions prior to the shooting, and go- ing back a year before that time
 Habit of Whisky Drinkers.
 Slowly the threads of a story of the downfall of a young man, caused by the habit of drinking whisky, unraveled as witness after witness testified. Slowly the story of his wrecked career in Bir- mingham was told, and told in the pres ence of hundreds of people, among them his father-a minister-hls sister and three brothers, who are Methodist min isters.
 It was quite pitiful at times to see the young man, who is about 25 years of age, sitting in chair and listening to differ ent tales told of what he had done.
 Witnesses testified that he was often irrational, that he talked incoherently at times and imagined all kinds of things.
 One witness said Parrish upon several occasions went to his room in July and shut down all the windows. He refused to put out the light and lay down on his bed without undressing. When remon- strated with he declared that bugs were after him. He said if the windows were put up the bugs would come into the room.
 Another witness said he once made q wild speech, scoring ministers and every body in general. Still another said he suffered from mind trouble to such an extent that in one instance he hid behind quilt near the bed, fearing some one was trying to break into the room. An other said he threw $30 In small change over the room, saying he had plenty of mohey.
 Yet another witness swore Parrish was drunk nearly all the time; that he had never seen him In a sober condition; that he was utterly unfit for business ana would forget engagements, seeming sur prised when reminded that he had failed to meet them, remarking that he had never made any.
 Rash Statement.
 One of the most striking statements the prisoner is said to have made, as told by witness yesterday, was that he al one time said if he would kill somebody the best ladies of Birmingham would count him a hero and would fill the jail with fruits and flowers for him.
 The attorneys contested every point or law. Many objections were raised to questions asked witnesses.
 As on the previous day P. G. Howman questioned witnesses for the defense. They were cross-examined by H. P. Hellin, so- licitor for the state Charley Ferguson is assisting in the prosecution also
 It was $40 o'clock yesterday morning when the jurymen took their seats. In ten minutes the first witness was on the stand. At 12:30 o'clock court adjourned upti1 otO1Oolx In ha of mony was taken from then until o'clock, when an adjournment was taken unti 9;S0 o'clock tomorrow morning.
 The defense put on the stand many men who had been associated with Par rish year and less previous to the time he shot and killed Leonard. Every word of testimony yesterday was on the ques- ton of insanity. No attempt has been made to disprove evidence that he shot Leonard The efforts of the defense are to establish. if possible, the insanity idea To this end nothing is being left undone. Some of the witnesses were sharply oross-examined by the solicitor especial ly those who were put on as experts.
 Several times during the proceedings, when testimony was to the effect that Parrish acted queerly, and what his &C., tions were, those in the courtroom laughed audibly. Each time Judge Dan A. Greene rapped for order
 First Witness.
 The first witness called yesterday was R. A. Ramey
 I live at North Birmingham and have resided there since 1884. l know the ds- fendant and have known him for the past eight years. I remember the time George Leonard was shot and killed on an electric car. I was then night watch man at the county jail. From January until July, 1902, was with Parrish al- most every day. He was nearly always under the influence of liquor. I had fre-