Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-02-08

his SOn-ln-law Bates two weeks before
the tragedy. She read one or all of
them. Saw him reading them after
reading them he had that strange look,
did not seem to realize what was going
ON, moved in mechanical way
Noticed same peculiar, glittering
stares in him in Jail since. Seen
many insane people. He had crazy
look in his eyes. From what she has
sworn to and testified to, in her judg-
ment the defendant was insane.
MISS LUELLA CLIFFORD.
Twenty years old. Fathers name
T. l. Clifford, known him all her life.
Has been always very kind and
thoughtful to family and other people,
especially the aged, kind to dumb
brutes. Witness was away from home
from April to August, 1904. Since re-
turning home observed things out of
the ordinary in her father. Lives with
her father; remembers the tragedy.
Remembers seeing him when saving
wood, stop, talk to himself, gesticulate
wildly. Heard him speak of his head
troubling him several times during the
fall. Was formerly in the habit OF
studying for his classes the next day,
but this fall ceased doing SO, said his
head bothered him and it was imposs-
ible for him to do so. Defendant has
often talked to her ..about insanity.
Said if he ever went insane, he wished
his family would tell him about it,
and help him to try to throw it off.
She has a sister, Irene Clifford Bates,
married, older than she. Her father
received letters about her sisters
condition three or four weeks before
tragedy. She and her father read
letters. He looked very greatly
| troubled, and after that seemed more
restless. She knew contents of letters
and had two of them with her. de-
PENDANT offered letters in evidence.
She read the letter concerning her
sisters mind.
MRS. r. l. CLIFFORD.
Married IA years. Husbands dis
position was kind and considerable be-
fore tragedy, kind to dumb animals.
Knew husbands father, lived in fami-
ly with him, caring for him months.
Lived on farm in New. York 1896 and
1897 Husband worked early and late,
sometimes at night, was very uneasy
at times. He had strange spells,
trembled all over, and seemed uncons-
cious of surroundings.
Court adjourned to 80 p. M, Tues
day.
After court opened Tuesday after
noon the first witness called was,
DIR. ARTHUR F. KILBOURN.
AZ years old, educated at Keokuk,
Iowa, medical education at University
of City of New York. Pursued usual
course of study in medicine, graduated
Feb. 1883. Now Superintendent of
Minnesota state insane hospital at
Rochester, MINI. Been Superintendent
l6 years. Probably two or three thous-
and insane patients there since he was
there Now about 1850 there. De-
voted 20 years to study of insanity.
Heard examination of witnesses foI
defense. Made personal examination
of defendant Sunday morning and af-
ternoon in Jail, occupied about four
hours. Found considerable mental
confusion, condition of exaltation,
loss of memory of events, utter in
difference as to his condition, coupled
with peculiar facial expression; OBJ.
served him in court. From observa-
tion here and examination at that
time came to conclusion that he is in
sane. There are several kinds of in
sanity. There is such thing as in
herited predisposition to insanity.
Epilepsy in patient does not necessari-
ly Indicate that there was insanity in
descendants. Described different
forms of epilepsy at length In de-
termining condition of defendant it is
quite important to know the condition
of ancestors as to insanity. No mat
ter what the form of insanity in ances-
tors, it has bearing on determining
condition of the patient. Epileptics
are confined in asylums mainly for the
purpose of caring for them. Also ex-
perience in New York City hospital
for insane, also at Minnesota state in
sane hospital at st. Peter Has
authority to exercise his judgment as
to insanity of patients sent to the asy-
lum. Has other doctors under his
control and direction. A large percen-
tage of epileptics never become
insane. Extended cross examination
as to different forms of insanity, and
transmission of same to succeeding
generations, with more particular re-
ference to epilepsy. 1t is accepted
that most all epileptics sooner or later
become insane. Also as to forms of
insanity witness could not classify in
4 n a