The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1907-12-06
MRS. MINOR MORRIS
ADJUDGeD INSANE.
This Remarkably Brilliant Woman Con,
ducts Her Own Defsnse Before
Judge Nations.

Oll MOUuHN, DeCtlHDcI -, ullei |
trial OF surprising interest, jury |
in the Probate Court at this place
found that Mrs Minor Morris is n
person of uusound mind and in.
capable of managing her affairs.
Several months ago Mrs. Morris
gained a good deal of newspaper
notorlety by making an attempt to
enter the White House for the pur-
pose of personal interview with |
President Roosevelt, She was
elected from the premises of the
executive mansion by detectives on
the supposition that she was labor
ing under some delusion. 1t was
shown at the trial last Monday that |
she has since her White House ad
venture received treatment for
physical and mental ailments in !
several sanitariums and hospitals
tor the insane. She is now a patti
ent ut State Hospital No. 4.
Her son, Il. 7. Highleymau, on
November lG filed in the Probate
Court here information in writing
alleging that his mothers mind is
unsOund and asking for an inquiry
ns to her mental condition. Mrs.
Morris was notified Of the proceed
ings and last Monday was the day
SET for Il hearing. Her case was
tried by Il jury consisting of W. r..
| Taylor. w j Martin, John Me.
Cormick, NJ. =. Cayce, W. Il.
Ruriden, TIC, Ilighley, Henry W
Fisher, John Murril, Paul McDan.
lel, Willard Byiugton, $. Q. Con
way and Joe Bruett.
Mr.. llighIeyman, the informant,
by his attorney introduced some
dispositions of several experts in
ST, Louis. The two sons of Mrs
Morris, l.. T. Highleyman and w,
Ii. Highleyman, and Drs. Harri.
son, Vernon and Long of the State
Hospital also testified on behalf OF
the informant. Mrs. Morris had
no attorney, and those who heard
the trial came quickly to the conclu'
sion that she had but little need OF
one. She is a woman OF towering
intellectual ability and eXtraordi
nary culture and accomplishments
In her prepared statement to the
jury, at the conclusion OF the testi'
mony, she evinced the most con-
summate mastery of the English
language as well as superior tac'
and skill in the grouping and logl.
cal arrangement of the facts Of hel
domestic life as bearing upon the
question of her mental condition
In her cross examination of hcI
sons she punc.ured and riddled auC
all but demolished their testimony
with masterful skill and rapidity
In vain did the attorney for the in
formaut seek to shield their state
ments from the whitening fire o
her fierce interrogation.
Mrs. Morris had no witnesses 4
testify in her behalf Her owl
uncorroborated testimony was the
only defense that she attempted t.
make. Her highly. wrought nerv
Gus system showed great agitation
under the ordeal of the trial. and
in fact, at times she seemed on tht
verge of hysteria. But, nOtwith
standing the great disadvantage n
which she was placed for want o
witnesses or counsel, she manage,
her defense with such skill tina
two of the jurors refused to sign
the verdict or to concur to the find
ing, which was to the effect tina
she is II person of unsound mind
She took occasion to speak very
kindly of DIR. Harrison, the Super
intendent Of the State Hospital
and said that his treatment of he,
had been considerate and humane