Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1913-01-16
R|XEY IS SAID To BE
H0PE!ES5LY INSANE
Friends are Shocked at Ap-
pearance Of Former Bank
er Here Yesterday.
TO REMEMBER
Sat With Bowed Head During Pro-
ceedings Which Did Not Seem to
Interest Him.

That C. Jones Rixey, former presi
dent and general manager OF the Fir
giria Safe Deposit and Trust Corpora
ton, who was a witness yesterday il
the trial of Lewis Hooff in the cor
poration court, will never recover
his reason is the opinion of those
who watched him yesterday and fol
lowed his actions while he was ir
the city,.
Rixey reached Alexandria yester-
day shortly before ten o'clok from
the Western Asylum for the Insane
located at Staunton, Va. where he
has been patient since the closing
OF the institution. Of which he was
president, two years ago. The tran
sactions following the failure of the
trust company, the subsequent i'll
ness OF Mr.. Rixey. the Investigations
of his mental condition, his admiss-
ion to the asylum at Staunton and
the attempt on the part of the COM
monwealh TO have him placed in the
Asylum for the Criminal Insane at
Marion. are too we'll known to need
repeating.
From time to time more or less
favorable reports have been receiv-
ed from DR.. J. S. DeJarnette. super
intendent OF the Staunton asylum of
Nir Rixey's condition and only re-
Gently he wrote Judge Barley of the
corporation court that Mr.. Rixey
was muck- better.
Friends OF the former banker, who
Lad expected material improvement
in his condition, were shocked when
he appeared in court yesterday morn
ing. Assisted by S. B. McCorkle, a
guard of the Institution at Staun-
ton he hobbled into court leaning
heavily cn a black thorn stick which
he carried.
To all appearances he was per-
iectly oblivious TO his surroundings.
Rixey wore large light-colored
broad -brimmed hat, which he failed
ito remove when he entered the
court room. In fact the hat had to
he taken from his head by friend
Ctan6intr npor In
Upon entering THE court room
RiXey at once took a Seat and took
q glance around the court room, and
then again appeared perfectly list
less. Most of the time he covered
lis eyes with his hands and at times
buried his face in his hands.
In order to test witnesses men,
cry few preliminary questions were
asked RiNey by the court, being sub
rlirted through the court to RiXey
Ly commonwealth Attorney S. G.
Erent,
He was asked by the court if he
understood the nature of an oath.
after considerable hesitancy he an
swered in the affirmative. When ask
ed If he knew its nature he appeared
FnZzled, and then. ir almost a whisp-
or, said he thought he did, finally say.
ing it was to tell the truth.
Rixcy recalled being with the
Virginia Safe Deposit and Trust Cor
roration. Of which he was the form
or head. He then was asked if he
J:new Lewis Hooff. the defendant
in the case. and he replied: Il
j.now so many people Hooff then
stood up and Rixey said he had seen
lin before.
Rixey throughout apparently paid
but little attention to the questions
and his memory was faltering On all
roints.
Rixey was then shown certi
Lfcate of stock of the defunct con
Germ 10 look over. He declared thai
lie knew nothing about it. E:xey ther
admitted that he had discounted
paper for Hooff. This was the las
question propounded to him, where
uFc'n, his testimony was ordered
stricken out, and he was excused
from further testifying.
A few minutes after Rixey start
cd to testify he was led out of the
court room and subsequently taker
Eback to Staunton by the guard wht
accompanied him. Rfxey had beer
Fsunlmoned BY telegraph to appear
yesterday and testify regarding