The Washington herald., 1909-04-28

AlAel an HtaoiC Sil-EAi- % LedIl1 tii4te
years, in which she summoned 10 her
aia the assistance OF justice OF the
Supreme Court Of the United States. a
United safes Senator, and the head OF
the Government Hospital Cor the Insane.
Mr.. Catherine Dodge. Of washington.
widow Of Maj. Dodge. L. s a. has at
last sad her sanity legally established
Word was received here late last night
that Judge Ross. Of the Probate Court.
yesterday afternoon discharged the Farm
ers- Trust Company, ot that city. from
its capacity as guardian OF Mrs. Dodge.
and from now on she VIII be sole man
/ iager Of her own estate. which Is said to
DC large
Many Dispositions Filed.
Before Judge Ross announced his de-
cision that Mrs. Dodge was OF sound mind,
he listened TO depositions from Associate
Justice Brewer. Of the United states Su-
p-eme Court; from Senator GaUinger. OF
New Hampshire. and from DIT William
A. White. head OF the Government Hos
p,tal for the Insane. and az one time an
expert witness in the famous Thaw cass
'The Judge likewise heard statements
and deposidons by physicians who had
been familiar With the condition of Mrs
DOdges mind more than two years ago.
when they believed from an examination
made an that time that she was insane
and would never recover.
CT more important than all the deposi-
as Of physicians and prominent men
he country was thf - Nsrs
lge herself. who
tied t0 the court
her brother. wh
has since dice
uaTdiaa. sDpoirt,6
uGht about her 51C
rum IN fndianap0
7. Chic.
Moved TO Washington.
After being released from the Ohio in
stitUtion. she moved TO Washington and
took up her residence here and began her
great struggle in the courts OF Indiana.
where her property IS located. to have
the fact that she is not insane legally
established.
When she had finished her testimony
her case was won. Judge Ross was not
only convinced that she was OF sound
mind. but remarked 10 a lawyer in the
court that he regarded her as an ex-
ceptionaIly bright and intelligent woman.
She IS expected soon 10 return here 20 her
home in the .Cortova apartment house.
Senator Gallinger said last night that
he first knew Of Mrs. Dodge, when her
pension was raised by special act OF
Congress in consideration Of the eminent
services Of her husband. Mai. Dodge.
[. 5. a. He has seen her many times
since. and becoming thoroughly con-
vinCed that she was OF sound mind he
did not hesitate 20 make a formal state
ment 20 that effect. He says sne was in
san Francisco during the earthquake with
her little daughter. where she suffered
considerable hardships.
Dr.. White Gave Certificate.
Dr. White. head OF the Government
Hospital for the Inssnce. said last night
that he examined Mrs. Dodge several
months ago IN a lawyers ofice in the
Century Building ard found her to be.
in his opinion. perfectly sane He gave
her 2 certificate 10 that effect, which
she used with effect IN the court in In
dianapolis,
Justice Brewer also became interested
IN the case Of Mrs. Dodge and was so
thoroughly convinced that it was fright
ful injustice 10 declare her insane that he
made a formal declaration Of his opinion
that she was Of sound mind.
The sworn deposition OF a member OF
the Supreme Court of the United States
would inevitably have great weight in
any lesser court in the country. but in
spite Of this document. Mrs. Dodge
proved her sanity principally on her own
straightforward and rational testimony.
Her friends IN Washington are delight
ed 10 learn that Mrs. Dodge has at last
won her Sreat battle. which she carried
on against overwhelming odds for several
years. principally for the sake Of her lit
tie daughter, the only child OF her dead
husband.