The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-21
Chaloner's Lawyers Can
not Get Case Before
Tribun al.
DECLARE HE
WAS SHANGHAIED
Ware, Addressing Court. Said
That Complainant Had No De-
fusion Concerning Rcsem-
blance to Napoleon; That
He Closely Resembled
French Emperor.
Especial to The rlmes-Dispatch.I

New York. February 2O.--AlI OF that
part of the Princess Troubetzkoy's de-
position having bearing on John
Armstrong Chaloner's physical and
mental condition while she lived with
him as his wife, and from whom she
later was divorced. Was ruled out to-
day by Judge Holt III the trial of
Chaloner's $4,000 action for alleged
conversion of funds against his com
rnittec. Thomas r. Sherman. in the
Federal District court. All similar
testimony from whatever source was
likewise stricken out. One OF the wit
nesses called by Chaloner'S counsel
was Pedro y. piedra, who attended
Chaloner IS trained nurse while the
latter was confined In Bloomingdale
Asylum He was not permitted TO
say what he thought OF Chaloncr's
sanity or physical health.
The court held that such matters
are wholly immaierial, as the only
question before the court is that of
conversion OF funds, and consequently
the validity OF the order OF the New
York Supreme Court adjudging Chal-
oner incompetent and placing his
property in the hands Of committee.
Only ImpuIsIvc.
in giving her deposition the prime SIS
'tI'tei tldi sHe divorced CDdIOner be-
cause they were both OF artistic tenn
perament and couldn't agree. She
also said she believed him to be sane,
though AT times impuisivc.
Frederick a. Ware. one of Chaloner's
counsel. was given twenty minutes in
which TO conclude his address to the
jury. Following Mr.. Ware. Joseph II.
Choate, Jr.. who is associated with
John g. Milburn as counsel for Mr..
rs.t rrNa All,
defense. Attorney Choate's remarks
were confined TO discussion OF the
validity OF tho state Supreme Courts
order He ridculed the idea Of a
Gigantic conspiracy" ny the Chanler
family to have Chaloncr put away and
Thus gain control OF his property.
The greater part of to-day's session
was consumed in the reading OF the
testimony taken in the proceedings
leading up to Chaioner's confinement
in BIoomingdalc.
Mr. Ware in the course of his ad-
dress declared that his client had been
compelled TO pay 500 week for half
room while in the B!oomingdele
Asylum, and that tho almost four
years he had spent there had cost him
$4,000"
Continuing. he said that during
Chaloner's first year at Bloomingdale
J.,
n Virginia lawyer, which will be Of
fered in evidence to show that it must
have been written by thoroughly
sane and competent gentleman, indig-
nant at his enforced restraint"
Resembles Napoleon.
When the committee of his person
and property was appointed in 1899
Mr.. Chaloner was Ill from an injured
spine. and was unable to appear in
- ;pt
If he knew of It, the attorney said.
He never received notice OF the pro
ceedings. Chaloner's petition asserts
that he Is a resident and citizen of
Virginia; that he was lured to New
York. and that all iunacy proceedings
against him in this State were null
and void. He further asserts that
Thomas 7. Sherman owes him $3.50
5o365. with interest from April s.
turned over to Mr.. Sherman when ne
succeeded Prescott Hall Butter. MIR.
Ware asserted that Chaloner is not
only sane and fully capable of man
aging his business affairs, but that he
is a brilliant man and some years
ahead of his time. He referred to
his clients alleged delusion that he
strongly resembled Napoleon Bona
parte.
VIII SHOW you F" ma
this so-called deluslon amounts TO-
and ! will produce here photograph
Of Mr.. Chaloner which Will produce
in you the same delusion. The fact
is. gentleman. my client does bear n
very striking resemblance to the por-
traits OF the French Emperor
The lawyer told Of certain expe-
riences of his client while confined In
Bioomingdale. AT ono time lie was
attacked and nearly throttled by two
or three inmates OF the Institution
and on another occasion he was Sc
veraly beaten by maniac. Naturally
this sort of thing had bad effect on
Chaloncrs nervous system, and he
made every effort to get out OF the
asylum. said the LAWYER lie tried
every legal means and consulted va
rious counsel. but 1t appears tina,
while several lawyers Interested them
selves In his case. they failed him at
the crucial moment.
The interests behind the efforts to
keep Chalonnr confined were too
strong" said Mr.. Ware. Accordingly
my client saw there was only one way
and, as you know. took French leave"