New-York tribune., 1921-01-20
arrell Held
Not Irresponsible
By Navy Doctor
One of Three Lost Balloon.
lists Is Suffering From Ex-
haustion Psychosis; In.
clined to Violence
Hinton Is Silent on Row
Disability Possibly May Be
Permanent, Physician
Tells Court of Inquiry

Lieutenant Stephen A. Farrell, eldest
of the three naval officers who were
blown to the wilderness of northern
Canada in the free balloon A-5598, is
suffering from exhaustion psychosis,
acco ording to the testimony of Lieuten-
ant J. S. Newberger, senior medical of
fcer Of the Rockaway Naval Air Sta
tion.
In this condition Lieutenant Farrell
is inclined to violence, Lieutenant
New berger told the court of inquiry at
Rockaway yesterday. While the medl-
cal officer did not advance any direct
opinion, he left the impression that
this condition was responsible for the
blow which Farrell landed upon the
chin of his comrade, Lieutenant Walter
Hinton, in the log hut at Mattice, On
tario, the blow that marred all the
thrilling exploits Of the three officers
after they had landed in the heart of
the northern forest about the shores
Of ames Bay.
The sensational evidence that was
expe cted when Lieutenant Hinton took
the stand failed to materialize yester-
day. Hinton described every phase of
the remarkable voyage in minute de-
tail, with the exception of the two dra-
matte moments that caused the bad
feeling between himself and Farrell.
Cho sing his words with extreme care
and great deliberation Hinton care
fully CLOSED over the two incidents
and excused himself from testifying
any closer by remarking in each in
stance:
Lieutenant Farrell made statements
which l did not consider fair, due to
his overwrought nerves and condition"
Confined to Hospital
The testimony of the medical officer
was introduced at this point because
Hinton had mentioned Farrell. Under
the rules of procedure Farrell should
have been given an opportunity to ap-
pear Immediately. The medical officers
report showed that Farrell was con-
fined to the post hospital suffering from
tons NUS and reaction following ex-
pCsure.
;, Lieutenant Newberger examined all
three officers Immediately after their
return to the station, and found all of
them suffering from frostbite. strains
from snow-shoeng and exposure.
Lieutenant Kloor was the least af
fectcd and Farrell the most The lat
ter was described as suffering from
extreme restlessness, irritability
showing slight confusion of thought
and perplexity.
ellis condition is similar to that OF
patient suffering from shell-shock,"
concluded Lieutenant Newberger, "and
1t Is doubtful at present whether or
not any permanent disability will re.
suit His temperature is 1O2, but |
think he may be able to appear before
the court Thursday afternoon, or Fri
day morning"
Hinton's narrative of the hazardous
march through the northern wilder
ness was told in simple straightfor
ward language until he arrived at the
point of the second day when he
stopped to light fire and rest. This
was the moment when Hinton in his
letter to his wife declared Farrell had
asked them to help him end his life
and use his body to fortify Hinton and
kloor 70, the remainder of the
journey.
At this moment Hinton paused in his
test mony, and then, carefully choosing
his words, said: at would be unfair
for me to state the remarks Lieutenant
Farrell made, but he had fallen several
times from sheer exhaustion, and was
1alnt when we stopped. 1t was then
that l called Lieutenant Kloor and con-
suited with him on the advisablity OF
taking the knife from Lieutenant Far
rel and going on, as Lieutenant Fa~-
rel suggested. with the only hope that
we would find assistance"
Division of Pigeon
Describing the manner in which thew
divided the first carrier pigeon for
meal, Hinton said: con the second day
we decided to eat the first pigeon.
Kloor killed it and dressed it and h.