The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-03-29
C.F. BATES ADJUDGED INSANE
WELLINGTON MAN GIVEN TRIAL
HERE IN PROBATE COURT.
Many Witnesses Testified and Two
Physicians Passed on the Case
Mrs. Bates There.

Charles f. Bates of Wellington was adj
judged insane in the probate court in this
/ city yesterday afternoon. He will be
taken to the OsawatOmie asylum as soon
as arrangements can be made.
Sunday afternoon the city physician,
DIR. Giles Smith. was summoned to the
city Jail and made an examination of
the case. When he had completed the
investigation, DIR. Davis said: The man
is insane and 1 should not hesitate to
make such d statement before any court
in this country. The man is in a very
bad condition and should have attention
and treatment at once Yesterday morn
ing the complaint of insanity was filed
by the police matron and the case was
called for trial in the afternoon at .
O'Clock.
DR.. q. c. Evans was the first witness
called. He testified that from the con-
versation and actions Of Bates, he would
not hesitate to say that he was insane.
Dr. Giles Smith, city physician, was
then called. He told of his examina-
ton of Bates at the city building on the
previous afternoon, at which time he
said the prisoner seemed very much
afraid of him and cried continuously,
begging him MOTTO hurt him.
Judge Stanley then testified. He re-
viewed the case. telling of different con-
versations that he had had with Bates.
He stated that at one of these conversa-
tons the prisoner appeared rational, while
at the other conversation he was not
but seemed to fear some person who. he
said intended to rob him of his patents.
Judge Stanley's testimony was followed
by that of Park Massey. Massey said
that one morning Bates called him to
the Jail door and asked if he wouldn't
get Judge Stanley to talk to him, as ne
felt better and his head felt clearer that
morning than it had since he was ar
rested. 1t was on this morning that he
had the conversation with Judge Stan
ley at which time he appeared rational.
Mrs. Ella Glenn Shields was the next
witness called. She testified as to Bates
actions and appearance at times when
she would see him at the Jail door.
Mrs. Shields said: AT first L was so
indignant when he would cali to me as
1 passed that I would pay no attention
to him, but later his appearance was so
shocking that L could not help but notice
him. l have seen him standing with his
arm above his head. resting on the bars,
and when | would pass by two hours
later &c would still be in the same posi-
ton. and had apparently not moved. His
appearance and manner became such that,
at the request of the chief of police. 1
filed the complaint in the probate court
Bill Massingale, colored who has been
an inmate of the city Jail, said that Bates
acted extremely strange and would do
queer things that scared him. He said
the prisoner always talked of working
on his patent and told him that some
man was trying to steal it from him.
Mrs. Bates. the prisoners wife, was
then called. She testified that Bates was
subject to spells at times and she would
be compelled to keep him shut up in the
house and care for him. AT these times"
said Mrs. Bates, he seemed afraid of !
everybody and always wanted to get
away. / did not want him locked up, (
so l kept him myself and took care Of /
him. He has always had these spells /
ever since he had a spell of brain fever. /
some time before we were married. /
have kept all this from the neighbors
and everybody else, as 1 considered it a |
family secret, and always hated 70 see !
take now and if anyone says I am doing |
this TO help Mr.. Bates out OF a tight |
place they are doing me an injustice"
Bates was then subjected to questions |
by the court. The first question asked |
him was: DO you know why you are /
here and what is going on?"
The prisoner Immediately began to cry |
and beg that they would not hurt him, !
as he had done nothing. He could not /
remember where he lived until the name /
OF the place was suggested TO him. and /
he complained an the time Of his head.
When asked TO describe the patent, he /
became interested and began 1
talking very fast. explaining his patent 4
TO the jury. When he had finished he 4
begged that they would not let anyone /
take it from. him. as it was unfinished
After hearing the evidence, the jury i
in consultation only a very few 4
minutes. when they returned the verdict 4
OF insanity and recommended that the /
prisoner be sent away for treatment.