The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-07
MATTHEW'S CASE
DRAWS NEAR END.
Complete Case of Temporary In
sanity, But Too Dangerous
to Turn Loose.
cITTMAN is STILL MISSING
His Sensational Testimony Be-
GITTMAN is STILL MISSING
His Sensational Testimony Be-
fore the Mayor in December
is Reviewed.
Especial 10 The Times Dlspatch.)

Especial to The Ttnle6-Dispatch)
GREENSBORO. N. O., March 1.-THE
Matthew's murder trial came to an un-
expected conclusion this morning tefore
the noon recess. When the examination
of an expert on mental diseases. super
Induced by morphine addiction had been
completed By the defense. 1t announced
its case closed. Contrary to expectations.
tho prosecution had no witnesses OF i'm
portancc In reserve. and in half an hour
closed 1t case. not having introduced o
single expert to contradict or to con-.
trovert the evidence OF DR.. Mckee, OF
the state Insane Asylum. and DR.. Crow
theirs OF morphine insane asylum OF
Hartford, who both had testified that
the prisoner was undoubtedly insane.
crowthers's evidence was remarkably
clear and concise. He described the Ell
feet of continual use OF morphia in
graphic terms. declaring that while it
deadened pain, In no instance did 1t fall
tc. do damage to the higher nerve Gen.
ters. those controlling conscience, will,
honor. honesty. truth and mans rela-
tions to man: that while 1t covered up
pain, II bred numerous other troubles.
such as slowing the heart. brain, and
other nerve centers. while damaging the
reasoning powers to such an extent, the
addict would inevitably suffer dementia
or paress.
s Matthew's Insane.
He pronounced the prisoner IN the light
OF testimony by all tho physicians who
witnessed his conduct on the day OF his
wife's death unquestionable insane and
said he would have thought so even
without knowledge of his Inherited dis
case or trait. That he should say he
had been irresponsible for more than
year. His cross-examination failed to
shake him in the least.
The case will probably reach the jury
Wednesday night. Opinion is almost uni
versal that while defendant has made
out complete case OF temporary in
sanity, he is too dangerous to be turned
loose and too irresponsible to be hung.
His counsel are confident of acauittal.
Much Wild Talk.
There has been much wild talk" about
the absence Of Pullman Car Conductor
Gilman as a witness for the prosecution
In the Matthews trial. The condensed
report given OF his Testimony at the pre-
liminary trial of Matthews before Mayor
Murphy, which is reproduced below. will
prove OF interest. 1t has been Impossible
to locate Gilman. At the beginning of
this trial the prosecution stated that he
| was sick at a sanitarium In Philadelphia
The Philadelphia papers at once ex-
glausted avery. means known to modern
newspaper enterprise to find Gilman
there, and could find no such person in
any hospital, infirmary or sanitariun.
| They have bombarded the press CORE
| spondents here for Gittman's address.
| but. even the prosecutions attorneys have
| not been able to furnish 1t.
| The Richmond papers say Gilman left
Richmond two or three months ago. which
would indicate that he changed his run
as Pullman conductor between Rich
| mond and Greensboro pretty soon after
he testified In the Matthews trial: that
! his sister could not give his address and
had not heard he was sick.
Whether the story OF the dead woman's
|, alleged abandoned life. introduced by
the prosecution. to show that DIR. Mat
thews had motive In killing his wife.
and that 1t was not done under an insane
delusion. has anything to do with Git
mans mysterious movements is. OF course,
the speculative element In this remark
ably Sensational and repulsive tragedy.
Mysterious Absence.
| It Is known that another mysterious
absence Is reported since that story was
introduced in the trial last Friday. That
night the High Point man. who Dr. Mat
thews told the policeman was responsible
for the last trouble and through whom
| his wife had invested her $780, took a
northbound train and has not been seen
since, though a subpoena has been issued
| for him.
| 1t will be noted that In the testimony
Of Conductor Gilman. neither on the
direct nor cross-exan,ination was any
| question asked him remotely suggestive
! Of an improper life led by Mrs. Matthews.
| although at that time the prosecution
| must have been In possession of the same
evidence from the policeman that it
L n0yy ha