The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-27
One Arises to Plague Gilbert
G.. Pierce.
Admitted in 1t He Thought
Wife Insane.
SAYS He DIDN'T THINK 81
Really Believed Her Sane
When He Obtained Divorce.
Druggist Given Lively Time
on Stand.

his wife insane. Gilbert G. Pierce was
today confronted with a letter in
which he had recommended that Mrs.
Pierce be sent to the Topeka asylum.
Through a long, tedious cross exami-
nation incidents were brought tic
Pierce's mind to convey an impress
sion that the druggist had for years
known of his wifes mental condition.
Outbursts which the witness char
acterized as due to a high nervous
condition, were brought out to show
that the woman was of unsound mind
before and at the time Pierce obtained
a divorce and that her condition was
known by the husband. Pierce related
that his wife once threw the gasoline
stove and q painful of dishes out o.
doors, that she arbitrarily discharged
the telephone girl, that she tried &c
throw a gold watch away, that she
tried to melt rocks, declaring that they
contained deposits of gold. These things,
the witness said, were due to her
nervous and excitab1e condition.
In 1904, while Pierce and his, wife
were living in RosSviIle, the husband
sent for Mrs. Henry Houston, the
Nyife's sister, who came to Rossville and
took Mrs. Pierce to Chicago. Pierce
admitted that he consulted specialists
regarding his wifes condition, but said
he never believed the woman insane.
He also admitted writing many letters
to Mrs. Houston concerning her SIS
ters condition, that he agreed to pay
her for keeping the woman; and that
he had not seen his wife since the
writing Of a letter to DR.. Houston in
which he consented to his wifes ar
raignment fer insanity. 1t was only
q few months after the writing of this
letter that Pierce fled suit in the Shaw
nee county court asking for a divorce
on the grounds of abandonment.
You didn't consider your wife a fit
e,-1r1
w. r. Hazen on cross-examination.
Never did and don't think so now
responded the witness. "She had an
uncomfortable temper and suffered
from nervousness
did you write this letter."
The Telltale Letter.
Witness examined letter and said he
did. Under date of February Z, 1907,
Pierce wrote Mrs. Houston:
: II hate to have the folks annoyed,
but can't do anything with Lulu. 1t
is only a question of time until she
must be put in the state asylum here.
It is only a matter of time until she
must go. Let me know what you think
Of this, as it is a serious matter
Did you write that letter believing
your wife was OF sound mind?"
Pierce started to explain, but was
held to direct answer. He replied that
conditions just at that time might have
warranted the communication.
Did you write this letter to DR..
Houston?' asked Hazen, as he handed
the witness q communication from
Colorado Springs to his brother-in-law
IN Chicago.
After receiving an Affirmative an
swer, the lawyer read from a letter
written March Is, 1909. Thought Lulu
was getting along fine from what Minta
wrote me- Pierce said in his letter.
but can't do anything for her. Poor
girl she is to be pitied. You can
have me appointed her guardian Sup
pose county doctor is the on to file
complaint. Hate to have her adjudged
insane. I tried my best to get her to
come home last summer. Could sell
Rossvflle property If I could get title
TO It and settle with Mrs. H. Now,
Henry, do just what you think best
and let me hear from you"
did you still believe your wife sane
when you wrote that letter." Pierce
was asked
II was acting on information and adj
vice received from DR.. Houston
You believed from the letter it was
proper to have her adjudged insane?"
ct evidently did. 1t was no disgrace,
although I hated to do IT,
And back in 1907. you had suggest
cd having her placed in an asylum"
81 suppose So"
mo"
HASN'T Seen Wife.
"Since you begun the divorce suit in
October, 1909. you haven't seen your
Wife?"
mo"
I'm your petition you swore your
wife was guilty of abandonment"
You testified she was guilty of
abandonment? 2"
ST did,
And you were sending money to
Chicago to have her cared for and
treated? ?"
IT was"
Didn't you know an insane person
couldn't be guilty of abandonment?
IT didn't think she was insane. Mr.
Damn and I agreed on the cause of
action and it was agreed that the
case was not to be contested"
Many letters and numerous deposit
lions were offered in evidence all
bearing on the condition of Lulu
Pierce's mind at the time of the di-
vorce suit and relating to Pierce's
knowledge of his wife's condition.
Fierce emphatically denied that he
had ever concealed any of his proper
ty and had listed all his possessions
when the journal entry in the divorce
decree was drafted.
Since the DIVORCE Pierce has dis
posed of his Rossville drug store and
has made his home in Leavenworth.
The application to set aside the di-
vorce decree is urged by Eliza ]. Page,
appointed by the Chicago court as
conservator for Mrs. Pierce.
WILL NEED $40 VOTES