J. L. SIMINGTON was the first witness called for the defense. Being sworn,
he said
I live in Manteno; lived there since 1859, early in the spring. Knew Rev.
Mr. Packard and Mrs. Packard. First became acquainted with them in 1858;
I was then engaged in the ministry of the Methodist Church. I have
practiced medicine eleven years.
I was consulted as a family physician by Mrs. Packard in 1860. Was quite
well acquainted with Mrs. Packard, and with the family. Lived fifty or
sixty rods from their house. Saw her and the family almost daily. I did
not see anything unusual in her, in regard to her mind. I never saw
anything I thought insanity with her. So far as I know she was a sane
woman. I have seen her since she came from the Hospital; have seen nothing
since to indicate she was insane. My opinion is, she is a sane woman.
No cross-examination was made.
Dr. J. D. MANN, sworn, and says:
I live in Manteno; have lived there nine years. Practiced medicine there
six years. I am not very intimately acquainted with either Mr. or Mrs.
Packard. Mr. Packard invited me to go to his house to have an interview
with Mrs. Packard. I went at his request. He requested me to make a second
examination, which I did. There had been a physician there before I went.
The last time, he wanted me to meet Dr. Brown, of this city, there. This
was late in November last. He introduced me to Mrs. Packard. I had known
her before she was taken to the Hospital, and this was the first time I
had seen her since she had returned. I was there from one to two hours. I
then made up my mind, as I had made up my mind from the first interview,
that I could find nothing that indicated insanity. I did not go when Dr.
Brown was there. Mr. Packard had told me she was insane, and my prejudices
were, that she was insane. He wanted a certificate of her insanity, to
take East with him. I would not give it.
The witness was not cross-examined.
JOSEPH E. LABRIE, sworn, and says:
Have known Mrs. Packard six years; lived fifteen or twenty rods from their
house. Knew her in spring of 1860. Saw her nearly every day--sometimes two
or three times a day. I belong to the Catholic Church. Have seen her since
her return from Jacksonville. I have seen nothing that could make me think
her insane. I always said she was a sane woman, and say so yet.
_Cross-examined._--I am not a physician. I am not an expert. She might be
insane, but no common-sense man could find it out.
_Re-examined._--I am a Justice of the Peace, and Notary Public. Mr.
Packard requested me to go to his house and take an acknowledgment of a
deed from her. I went there, and she signed and acknowledged the deed.
This was within the past two months.
_Re-cross-examined._--I was sent for to go to the house in the spring of
1860. My wife was with me. It was about taking her to Jacksonville. Mrs.
Packard would not come to the room where I was. I stayed there only about
twenty minutes.
Have been there since she returned from the Hospital. The door to her room
was locked on the outside. Mr. Packard said, he had made up his mind to
let no one into her room.
The counsel for Mrs. Packard offered to read to the jury the following
paper, which had been referred to by the witnesses, as evidence of Mrs.
Packard's insanity, and which Deacon Smith refused to hear read. The
counsel for Mr. Packard examined the paper, and admitted it was the same
paper.
The counsel for Mrs. Packard then requested permission of the court for
Mrs. Packard to read it to the jury, which was most strenuously opposed.
The court permitted Mrs. Packard to read it to the jury. Mrs. Packard
arose, and read in a distinct tone of voice, so that every word was heard
all over the court-room.