Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1909-05-29
IS SMITH INSANE?
TRIED TO RUN A BLUFF
ON BUSH AND HIS BANK

A. ]. Smith, who made the attempt
TO rob the Hinges jewelry store, in
this city, some time ago, was brought
before Drs. Grihith, Smith and Cusick
and examined as to his sanity Fri
day afternoon, but no decision was
arrived at.
Several witnesses were examined
by District Attorney McNary, for. the
state, and Attorney William Kaiser.
for Smith. and some surprising reve-
lations followed: Mrs. Jacko,
Smiths sister, from California, tes-
tined regarding Smiths actions while
staying at the Jacko home in Califor-
MIA. MIR. Smith, the accused's faith
er, also testified as to his sons ac-
tions and probable insanity prior to
the time on which the attempted
holdmp occurred. Mr.. Harrington,
Mr.. Davis and Mr.. Liston, the real
estate man, all testified in regard
70 Smiths career, as far as they
knew, and spoke OF HIS unusual ac-
tions of late as did J. A. Cooper.
Mr.. Cooper stated that Smith came
Into HIS saloon on State street prior
to the crime, and acted in a very
queer manner, throwing his hat on
the door and running about excited
1y.
When Sheriff Harry Minto took
the witness stand tho case which
was already complicated became
more so. Sheriff Mimic first told
how Smith was hard reader, and
often asked for magazines, but his
actions while under his care we're not
unusual, notwithstanding he was
very nervous when first brought to
the jail. Mlnto then related the
new discovery In the case. He said
two letters had been handed him by
the official OF the Ladd a Bush
bank, threatening "The Bush
Bank" and one threatening TO blind
A. Bush by throwing carbollc acid in
his eyes" or "kidnap his daughter
and hold her for ransom" II he did
not leave $500 either nnder n cigar
sign on Trade street or put $500 In |
a satchel. attach a tag on which |
must be written the name "H. T. |
Reed" and leave Il at the Mitchell |
hardware store on State street Two |
OF these threating missives we're sent, |
the first one in January and the last |
some time In March. Sheriff Mimic |
hhNh ANAa htW hN hMNN
for two deputies, VIM. Esch and Ros-
coe Shelton, to stand guard at these
places. and also instructed the bank
oficials TO come In broad daylight |
and deliver the money az requested /
In the letter. but In each instance
when the money was placed where |
designated, no one appeared 20 re-
ceivo II. and. after a thorough inyes-
iNUntlnU 40 NAnn1 has III
sitting In the ofilce OF Mr.. Smith, the
young mans father, could plainly see
any one entering the Mitchell hard
ware store. which Is between Com
mercial and Front streets, and II
across the street from the Smith real
estate ONCE.
sheriff Mimic told how he con-
nected Smith with the tell-tale let
ters. when the bank officials hand
ed Sheriff Minto the letters he began |
at once n search for the writer. but Il
without success. When Smith was
arrested Minto secured a specimen
OF HIS handwriting. A comparison
OF this with the letters showed the
writing 10 be identical.
To make assurance doubly sure he
submitted the two writings to Will
Walton. cashier OF the Bush bank,
and Walton. who has been In the
banking' 'buglnoss for ten years, and
Is an expert on handwriting. agreed
with sheriff Minto that they were
the same. United States Treasury
Agent Clements also declared the
writing was the same, and the gov
ernment ofiicer still has the writing
In his possession. One OF these let
ters was signed "A Man Who Means
What lie Says" The water marks
OF the paper were Identical with those
on paper In Smiths ONCE.
During the examination little
talk was made by Mrs Jacko, In
which she said: "Gentlemen, we
want him 20 have a fair and thorough
examination as TO his sanity, and Il
he proves 20 be sane, there will be
no trial as far as We are concerned.
aud he can make his peace with God.
but II Il proves otherwise We want
him TO have fair treatment" The
honesty and honor
Mrs. Jaoko displayed In this talk
won the hearts OF the attorneys.
Judge and attending physicians, and
much comment highly praising her
for the light In which she saw the
matter was overheard after the ex-
animation.
Another meeting will be held by |
the examining physicians Monday |
morning, az which time a decision |
will be reached. 4