Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-02-15

defendant Jan. Sd in Jail, examined
mental condition, tongue, pulse, re-
spiration, temperature, condition of
kidneys, eating, sleeping, behavior in
Jail, etc. Inquired as to ancestors,
his previous life, recent occupation,
exercise, etc. Asked him why he was
in Jail, ifnit wasn't uninviting, where
man would not be contented; said
he was perfectly contented. never
was more contented or happy in his
life, spoke of the comfort his religion
gave him, said he had better society
than anyone else, because God was
with him, he had close communion
with God, was assured that God was
with him, and he would be all right.
Said he was an instrument in the
hands of the Almighty. He was not
conscious of having done anything to
displease God, he had not sinned,
consequently he had nothing to re-
pent of or be forgiven for. Witness
decided that he was insane. He made
examinations Tuesday morning and
Thursday evening. Last night (Thurs-
day. exhibited mental fancies, said
God talked to him in the night, God
told him he was the son of God, and
God would have him come and sit ON
the throne with him and his other son,
Jesus Christ, and he would assist in
Judging the world. He said he did not
care how the trial terminated, God
would determine matters in the future.
Said if the persons on the trial do
right, it will be all right, but if they
did wrong they would have to answer
for it in the next world. Witness said
the good book states that God has only
one son and he didn't think that son
lived in DEBORAH. Defendant replied
that witness was mistaken, there was
room for him ON the throne and he
would be placed there without a doubt.
Talked about defendants daughter in
the east, asked him if he hadn't heard
from her lately, why he didn't write
to her. He said she would be taken
care of, he did not worry about it.
Said he was entirely satisfied in Jail,
it was the best place he had ever lived
in, he liked it. Asked about his fami-
| ly, children, home, etc. Said he didn'
care about caring for them, they would
be taken care of all right, didn't wor-
| ~ about them. Atty Acers told him
he had been down east to his old home,
| he seemed entirely uninterested. asked
no questions about it. One of his
marked peculiarities was he never
asked questions about anything
Tested his memory and reasoning,
memory failed mostly, required time
and effort to give any information, he
was not sure whether he was right or
not. He said while he carried watch
he never looked at it, guessed at what
time to go to court room and return,
was not keeping track of time con-
sumed by trial, but did not forget to
wind it, Asked him if he took any
interest in statements made in court
by his wife, uncle and pastor, said oc-
casionally heard something they said,
but it didn't make any difference
whether they were correct or not, the
result of the trial would be all right,
he didn't care what they said on the
stand. Witness reached the cOnclu-
sion that to a great extent defendant
was unconscious as to what was said
in court. In his opinion defendant is
losing his mind quite rapidly, which
continues during the progress of the
trial. His mind is abnormal so far as
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