New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-18
A DEMON SINCE B0YHO0D
SAW 1T FIRST IN MIRROR.
Doctor Says Woods Strange Com
Danion Lived His Life.

somervIe y. J.. May 1.-THE testimony to-
day in the trial of George Wood for the murder OF
George Williams the Watching grocer on feo-
ruary last was the most Interesting of the whole
trial Dr. George NJ Parker of New-York said
Wood probably met his demoniacal companion
Wolfe while looking in a mirror just previous
IL an epleptIc seizure. This was in Woods boy
hood, and the doctor said, the demon" had proba-
bly, lived the life of the prisoner as much as
Wood himself had.
It was feared for a time this morning that
mistrial would result owing to the sickness of
Charles T. Duffled. juror. When court opened
it reported that Duffleld was too sick to APP
pear and a spread that the tr1al would
have TO be begun anew. Later, however, Mr.. Duff
field, who is suffering from lumbago, arrived at
court An easy chair was provided Tor MIN ana
the trial then resumed. The first witness
called by the defence Theodore Murray, a
reporter for New-York newspaper Mr. Murray
said he the defendant the day after the muir
der at Mrs. Bishops house. in New-York. Wood
appeared not to be mentally strong. There was
peculiar look in his eyes and he showed tndiner-
ence in his answers to questions.
Wood was the next witness. and the commotion
in the courtroom he walked to the witness chair
showed the intense interest in the case. The de-
PENDANT was the only person that seemed unmoved
He appeared cool and composed and to the ordinary
observer there nothing peculiar in his manner.
He was examined by his counsel Mr.. SwaCkhamer,
who told him to tell everything he remembered
from the time he left New York before the shoot
ing of Williams up to the time of his being taken
into custody. While Wood telling his story
his counsel occasionally interrupted him with ques
tions.
He calmly repeated the story he had told several
times about Henry Wolfe and Mac and the little
black man." all of whom believed to be crea-
tons OF his imagination. Wood said that he.
Henry Wolfe and his friend Mac, started for Scars
dale, Penn. to get LOGO from Macs father. They
left the train at railway junction, where they had
dinner and drank glass of beer.
w lille sitting in the cafe" said Wood Il felt
queer sensation. A little dark man came in. and
The little black and Wolfe aftcrward took a
train. All this time felt queer and the black
man seemed to be drilling 4 lesson into my mind.
That queer sensation lasted until the Sunday
which found myself in the Tombs IN New York"
In answer 10 questions by Mr.. swackhamer Wood
said that Wolfe had been his evil genius. He had
said he was the Legitimate of the witIesss
father, and had often threatened to get with
the old man"
Wolfe" said Wood Offered to get $1,000 from
Macs father for me. After he made that offer
thought that his feelings had changed, that he
had become my friend When Wolfe or; cred me to
do things, always had to do II; couldn't disobey
him"
What does Wolfe look ke?' asked Mr.. Swack-
hamer.
Il think he resembled my father and myself"
was the reply.
Mr. swackhamer asked Wood in an impressive
IL
iams?"
NO. positively. I did not" replied Wood, firmly.
did you know Williams?"
No. did not know him.
Did you see Williams"
No. don't remember that I ever did"
Prosecutor Roger then began the cross-exam-
inadon. He asked the witness whether he had
ever raised a check from 81 $40 and had after
ward passed the check
Wolfe passed the check for s4' Wood said.
and he afterward check for $40. This
check turned out 10 be the that had been
raised"
Wood said Wolfe followed him about and prom
Used him money. He tried blacksmithing at Scotch
Pla&ns. but Wolfe did not provide money he
had promised. He then went White Plains y. Y,
but Wolfe followed him there and came up to him
in a b,>rber shop and told him he could not get
so far away that he. Wolfe. could not follow him.
John Anderson, keeper in the county jail, fol-
lowed Wood on the stand. He said that while he
had been in the Jail Wood seemed sleepy and
always had the smile or grin, and talked
Emmett smith. of No 574 West 13lst-st. Manhat,,
Mrs. Wood and Wood had seemed startled on see
ing Mrs. Smith Wood later had said he had mar
Ited Mrs Smith, when he was fifteen years old, on
board ship in Hoboken.
PIainfeld examined Wood while he was in the
Tom6s He said that MOOD came IN sh bt Dg
ton The witness considered Wood demented;
found him much brighter than when he him
first in the Tombs but still he not normal and
was insane. The doctor did consider the
cused responsible. DR.. LufburrOw admitted his eX
perienCe in insanity cases was limited.
Dr.. William Stomach. of Bellevue Hospital, tes
titled that he had examined Wood within a week.
and said the man undoubtedly insane Wood
did not overdo the symptoms, as was the case with
men shammng insanity. He was self-possessed.
Wood had told him about Wolfe" The doctor SAID
he the insanity and halluCina ton be of
gradual growth. Woods answers such
lead to the belief that he suffering from pri-
mary dcmentia, which, the doctor explained, was
closely allied with adoesccnt insanity.
DR.. George NJ. Parker. Of New York. testified
that Wood had suffered from epleptic insanity
since his boyhOod Wolfe to him a real being
Woods mind narrowed. He had first made
the acquaintance of Wolfe in the witnesses fathers
house His first seizure while looking in Il
mirror The sight of his reflection probably estab-
lished Wolfe When Wood himself reflected
in the mirror he what termed his aura
or the premontOry condition which precedes an
epleptic seizure.
DR.. Parker considered Wolfe a creation of the
prisoners disordered brain Even IL 1t shown
that a real person named Wolfe had followed or
had been associated with Wood, he would consider
the being that Wood spoke Of Authorization.
Court adjourned until morning. when the defence
will De resumed. 1t is believed the lawyers may
begin up tomorrow afternoon. although this
may delayed until Friday morning
GERSHON MARX HANGED.