South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-01-26
DECLARES BERGER
ADMITTED LUNACY
Cousin of Wealthy Farmer
Among Those Appear
ing Against Him.

THAT Edward Berger told her that
people believed his mind was falling.
that be admitted 10 had been affect
"a but was better now. was the
strongest evidence introduced Tues
dav afternoon by the defense In the
superior court I'm the proceedings
Edward Berger TO have his reason
declared sound and 70 regain con-
trcI or his property valued at
$4,000. That statement was made
hv Mrs. Susan Huyde. OF Nappanee.
Ind. second cousin OF Berger.
SIX witness. ueighbors. husin essmen
and relatives were called 10 the stand
90 testify.
James Kenneth CorrelI. lessee of
the Bremen Enquirer identified sew
craI advertisement which appeared
in August OF 1919. These advertise
ments dealt with Berger's prepare
tons 70 go into business.
Among those testifying We're
Henry Hummel a Leighbor. Fred
Slosser. a farmer and manager of a
creamery az Bremen. Leo Berger,
second cousin OF Edward Berger.
John Berger, a cousin, and Noah
Berger. another cousin.
Told Risque Stories.
Leo Berger testified that Edward
offered him 81 1000 IL ne would assist
him IN getting away from the farm
where ne was detained John Ber-
ger said on the stand that Berger
told risque stories. while others test
red as TO the plans made by the re-
tired Madison township farmer to
engage in business In which he
planned TO sell his wares without "a
profit and reduce the high cost OF
living.
That Edward Berger IS now a vic
tin, Of seniie dementia and his men
tai arrangement is permanent
one was the opinion expressed by
three south Bend physicians who
testified for the defense Tuesday IN
the superior court. DR.. j. ". Hill.
Dr J. T.. Wilson and DIT c. b
Crumpackc- conducted the cNamin-
alton IN the latter's office the morn
Ing Of Jan. 16.
The defense professed TO have
scored heavily by this testimony I'm
the trial through which the Madi-
son township farmers mental status
and his fitness to manage his estate
50 20 DO determined
one OF the strange features OF
tho trial IS the impressive manner
.v which Berger views the proceed
ioRs. No testimony has wrought
change fl the expression on Eer-
gers face and he listens 90 the EVIL
dence with stolid interest
Tell OF Conversation.
DR.. Wilson. because of previous
experience I'm such matters. quail
fed as an expert determining
sanity Some or the chief symptoms
of sanile demeutla DR. Wilson said
on the stand. were lapse OF memory.
eIowuess OF speech slow mental
grasp. careIcssness IN dress in1hi.-
i-v 10 sleep wei and loss OF weight
lie also added persons suffering
with aeuile demeUta are subject to
rauuciustiosns and decisions.
The three physicians testified MS
10 a conversation with Berger dur
f0r their examination I'm which be-
first told OF owning three farms
fneu four and finally lroucnt go
Irht another farm I'm DowaEiac.
" .h
Or wilson declared on the stand
that Berger told the physicians cone
rarnirg his escape from Che Fort
Wayne institution Berger said he
was in the custody OF "a nurse named
Thompson. and that She went away
f,r a few minutes and chat he start
"a FOR home walking so miles On
vvaraaw. where he cashed a check.
rrst forrettinE 20 write che name OF
The hank in which De kept his FUNDS
on tha withdrawal slp Dr. Wilson
Concluded.