New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-06-05
JURY gives $1,000
ALIENATION BALM
New York Broker Wins Action
Against New Jersey Doctor

Morristown, n. j., June 5.-George
Stuart Willis of this city must pay
George D. Wilder, New York broker
$4,000 for alienation of Mrs. Wilder's
affections in the spring of 1914. The
jury that has heard the evidence in
the suit found for the plaintiff yes
terday afternoon after two hours de-
liberation. .u..
Aside from the unusual character of
the testimony, the suit around great
interest here because of the promi-
nence Of the principals, the asser-
tions Of Wilder on the stand that if
he got the $4,000 he sued for he
would give it to the Red Cross or
some other charity, and statements of
alienists regarding Mrs. Wilder's men
tai condition.
The climax of the testimony was
Thursday when Mrs. Wilder on the
stand told Of her intimacy with DR..
Willis, of his kissing her while on
professional visits, her mental an
guish later and her final decision to
tell her husband. DR.. Willis seemed
to have power over her, she said.
I'D like to see any man handle
him, let alone a woman" she said on
the stand.
Alienists Testify.
Ms. Wilder said she was in court
because Of stories told about her by
DR.. Willis that she was insane and a
drunkard and that she would ruin his
reputation if she talked.
But you are sane, aren't you?' she
was asked. @5>
Il don't know" she answered.
Yesterdays finding of the jury
came after testimony was given by
alienists.
DR.. Britton, D. Evans director of
the New Jersey State hospital at Nor
rfs Plains, was called first for the de-
fence +...'
DR.. Evans said he had been in at
tendance during the trial and had
taken special notice of Mrs. Wilder.
He said in his opinion, she showed a
homeopathic makeup. In answer to
a question if she indicated jealous
and vindictive disposition he said she
did.
e., Manner on Stand.
Asked on what he based his state
ment that Mrs. Wilder was neuro-
pathic DR. Evans instenced her man
ner on the stand. She often shook
her head when she thought she had
scored a point against DR. Willis he
said. Sometimes these demonstra-
lions were made before time. This
showed a badly balanced judgment.
DR.. Evans was asked if persons with
were cunning. He said cum
ming might might not be shown.
He said he was testifying because
of his personal friendship for DR..
Willis and not for pay.
He was questioned about his testi-
flying at one Of the trials of Harry
K. Thaw that Thaw was insane and
at the second trial that Thaw was
sane. There was an objection to the
question, which Judge ,Silzer sustained
The introduction of the Thaw matter,
however, gave Judge Silzer opportun-
ity to say to DR.. Evans:
you were evidently justified in the
ThaW' trial. But we are not irving
Thaw here"
DR.. King Called.
DIR. Luther King of New York then
was called to testify for the Wilders
He said that Mrs. Wilder, whom he
had examined the, week previous to
the trial, was perfectly normal She
had no illusions
On cross examination DR.. King was
asked ..
IF Mrs. Wilder had an illusion in
1913 that Dr. Willis had had relations
with her would she be normal r1ow?"
was asked the doctor.
Her mental condition would he
S Oh that 1t would be apparent to a
layman,' said Dr. King. I'm other
words, she would be q paranoiac''
If she had lied to her husband at
that time would she be liable to stick
to it?"
IF she had lied and had stuck to
1t, said DIR. King, lit would no be !
insanity, but criminality."
DR.. Willis Denies Charges.
Dr. Willis on the stand denied al
most all of the charges made against |
him by Mrs. Wilder. He denied call I
ing her, 'Sadies, dear" as nurse !
sWore he did, and accounted for his
frequent visits by saying She had a !
nervous breakdown.
He said that in April. 1914. Mrs. |
Wilder called him to her house and
In the presence of her husband
charged him with circulating stories
about her. DR.. Willis said a woman /
Mrs. Wilder named denied having
told her stories about the doctor.
In May, he said Mr. Wilder told
him he had a written confession from
Mrs. Wilder telling Of the relations, she
alleged existed between herself and
the doctor. DR.. Willis said he thought
it best to sign such a document. as
Mrs. Wilder was in a nervous state,