Alexandria Gazette

Tumultuous Scene In Court—Struck Insane On The Witness Stand.—[From the Chillicothe (O.) Register. Feb. 12.]—One of the most exciting and startling scenes that ever occurred in court in this city took place late in the afternoon of yesterday week, just as we were going to press. The particulars are about as follows :

At the time mentioned the case in progress was that of Catharine Miller, who sued by her next friend, (C. W. Gilmore, vs. John S. Mace and others, the suit being brought to recover household goods levied on as belonging to Thomas Miller (Mrs. Miller's husband), and which the plaintiff claims as hers.

Mr. Miller was on the stand nearly all day Thursday, and subjected to a rigid examination, in the course of which he testified, in effect. that he was not possessed of any property at the time or since his marriage—that the capital and property used and occupied by him was his wife's.

On Friday afternoon Mr. Miller was again called to the stand to undergo cross examination by M. I. Clarke, esq. ; in the course of which the latter gentleman, in endeavoring to show a discrepancy between Mr. Miller's present statements and those made some time since, asked if he had not, several years ago, stated to Mr. W. H. Reed that he was then worth quite a large sum of money. The answer to this was rather indefinite—that he might or might not have so stated; but if he did, the meaning was that he was worth said sum outside of his indebtedness to his family.

Mr. Clarke then asked if, since his marriage, he had not become surety on the bond of a certain Government official. After a little hesitancy an affirmative answer was given; whereupon counsel wished to know if the witness did not at that time swear that he was worth $60,000.

To this query no reply was made, and for a few moments a deep and sudden silence ensued.

Finally, Mr. Marshall, of counsel for plaintiff, broke the oppressive silence by rising to address the Court and at that moment Mr. Miller, who was standing just in front of the jury-room door, turned to the Judge and said, "May it please your Honor, I wish to make a few remarks." and immediately after clapped his hands to his head and exclaimed. "I feel—as it I was getting—paralysis of the brain!' and commenced sinking to the floor, uttering such prayerful ejaculation as "Lord, have mercy on my soul!. O Lord, bless me and pardon my sins!" &c., or words to that effect,

Before reaching the floor he was caught in the arms of persons near by, and carried back into the jury-room. On reaching there he espied a gentleman approaching who he said had endeavored to ruin him, and he made an effort to get hold of the person, but was prevented.

The excitement in the court room at the time was intense, every one starting to his feet to get a better view of the strange scene and its author. In another moment, however, Mr. Miller having broken loose from those having him in charge in the jury-room, with pallid face, disheveled hair, rolling eyes, and indistinguishable mutterings, rushed with long strides, into the court-room, pressing his elbows to his sides and puffing the wind in gusts from his mouth. This sudden and terrifying irruption, as well it might, startled Judge, bar and audience, and a general stampede ensued. Neither the lawyers nor the audience stood upon the order of their going, but went at once.

After getting out to a point in front of the Judge, Mr. Miller was caught by Sheriff Mace, who, unaided, carried him into the clerk's room, and from thence had him conveyed to his hotel.

This sudden removal of the witness, and the disturbed condition in which it left the nerves of the bench and bar, made an adjournment necessary; which was had.

We have not attempted to depict the absolute frightfulness of the scene, for that would be impossible.