Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-17
Defendant to Charge of Insan-
ity Shows No Effects of
Her Incarceration,
THREATENED TO SHOOT
COURT, LAWYER AYERS
Many Witnesses Summoned by Both
Sides, Including Congressman
and Three Alienists.

WIDOW. showing no signs of a months in
generation in the ysychopathic ward Of
the Government Hospital for the Insane.
raced jury of twelve men before Justice
could In the general term courtroom to-
day to answer charge that she is of un-
-ound mind
Inc charge is preferred by a sister-in-
law. Mrs Emma Prall Knor. who re-
sides at 91S Avenue Of the Presidents,
which is portion of an estate of $4,000
in which Mrs. Prall has an interest by
decree of court, and to which she claims
absolute title under her Interpretation Of
the will Of William E. Prall, wealthy
inventor and father of her late husband,
William E. Prall, jr.
Unperturbed by Big Crowd.
While witnesses told Of alleged threats
made by her, including one to shoot jus
tice Wright of the District Supreme Court
if he failed to sign decree establishing
her rights, Mrs. Prall shook her head or
smiled in derision. She seemed in no
manner perturbed by the crowd which
filled the courtroom, many standing
throughout the hearing. which occupied
several hours.
Mrs. Prall was attired in black rough
silk coat suit. cut in smart lines. She
wore dainty white lingerie shirt waist,
and small black straw hat trimmed with
TWO Outstanding loops of black velvet.
The hearing did not get under way until
noon and at 1880 Justice Gould took a
recess until lis o'clock. He proceeded
with the testimony, which may not be
concluded until tomorrow.
Tells of Threat to Shoot.
Assistant Corporation Counsel White
appeared for the District Of Columbia.
which brought the case to court. Mrs.
Prall was represented by Attorney w. A.
Coombe of the local bar and Attorney
Clifford c. Roberts of New York city.
Robert H. McNeill, a member of the
bar, was the first witness called for
the prosecution. He said he had known
Mrs. Prall for three years and repre-
sented her in an effort to obtain her
rights In the property. At his office one
day. witness said, Mrs. Prall stated that
II Justice Wright did not sign the de-
cree she desired she would be willing
to take a pistol and shoot the justice.
She also complained Of the action of
the court and of attorneys, and said they
were trying to cheat her of her rights.
From his observations Of his client, Mr..
Mcneil stated, he had reached the con-
clusion that Mrs. Pran is suffering from
two delusiOns, one as to the value of the
property at 91S and 92O Avenue Of the
Presidents, which she placed at 5000, 100,
while brokers considered it worth about
$4,000 The other delusion, Mr.. Mcneil
said, was that the courts were trying to
rob her. He said she had also claimed
that two of her sisters-in-law were dead,
when one of them was in court and the
other also living.
Made No Effort to Use Gun.
On examination nv Mr. Roberts
of the New York bar, Mr.. McNeill ad-
mitted that Mrs. Prall made the threat
to shoot Justice Wright on one occa-
sion only. and that since that time she
had been in the courthouse, had ready
access to Justice Wright. but had never
attempted any violence toward the
jurist, despite the fact that the decree
signed by Justice Wright did not suit
her and that she noted an appeal.
Witness admitted that Mrs Prall had
prosecuted the appeal in person before
the appellate court. and had won a
modification Of the decree. Mr.. Mcneil
stated, however. that he did not con-
slider the amendment changed the de-
cree OF Justice Wright in any substan-
tial particular. In response to inquiries
of Attorney Roberts Mr.. Mcneil ad-
mitted that Mrs. Prall had read up the
law Of real estate and showed a re-
markable grasp Of the subject
Three Alienists to Testify.
Twelve witnesses are summoned for
the prosecution, including United States
Attorney Wilson, other members of the
bar who at one time or another appeared
for Mrs. Prall in the prosecution of her
suit, and two alienists, D. Percy Hickling
and B. r. Logic.
Among the witnesses who are to be
called for Mrs. Prall in refutation Of the
charge of insanity are Senator Clark of
Wyoming, Representative Graham Of
Chicago. Rev. James A. McCague pas
tor of Bethany Congregational Church
Of New York city, a cousin. and DR.. H.
H. HUMPHREYS. an alienist. formerly of
the New York State Hospital for the
Insane.
Dr. William A. White. superintendent
Of the government hospital, had been
called to testify, but he was excused by
Justice Gould on the assurance that ne
had an important engagement re
congressional committee.
Clarence r. Wilson on Stand.
Clarence R. Wilson. United States at
torney for the District of Columbia. was
called to the stand when court reconvened
after recess. He said Mrs. Prall came
to his Office winter before last. She was
under the stress of some strong emotion.
AS he conversed with her he said her
excitement increased He discovered
after several incOherent remarks from
Mrs. Prall that she had grievance
against Justice Anderson Of the District
Supreme Court.
Mr.. Wilson said Mrs. Prall insisted
on having Justice Anderson indicted
for forgery, claiming that the justice
had forged decree. When witness ex-
planned to her that it was impossible
for a judge to forge a decree Of his
own court, and that he would not pre-
sent the matter to the grand jury. Mr..
Wilson said Mrs. Pra1l suddenly arose,
threw her hands over her head and ex-
claimed: eff the law will not protect
me I shall take the law in my own
hands," She then rushed from the
office, and Mr.. Wilson said he reached
the conclusion that she was then OF
unsound mind.
Do Not Believe Her Insane.
On cross examination Mr.. Wilson would
not say that Mrs. Prali is now insane
He said he was clearly of the opinion at
the time Of the interview that Mrs. PralI
was not of sound mind.
Alfred q. Buhrman, an assistant clerk
of the court. told of a recent conversation
with E1rs. PraIl. in which she said, ac-
came before Justice Anderson next fall
and that justice had not been removed
by Providence or otherwise she would
kill him herself. Mr.. Blhrman said he
thought her intensely excited, but never
considered her insane.
Assistant United States Attorney
Given also testified to a threat
to Kill Justice Anderson. On cross-ex-
he said that on subsequent