The case was argued ably and at length, by Messrs. Loomis and Bonfield for the prosecution, and by Messrs. Orr and Loring on the part of the defense.
It would be impossible to give even a statement of the arguments made, and do the attorneys justice, in the space allotted to this report.
On the 18th day of January, 1864, at 10 o’clock, P. M., the jury retired for consultation, under the charge of the sheriff. After an absence of seven minutes, they returned into court, and gave the following verdict:
| STATE OF ILLINOIS, | } | ss. |
| KANKAKEE COUNTY. |
We, the undersigned, Jurors in the case of Mrs. Elizabeth P. W. Packard, alleged to be insane, having heard the evidence in the case, are satisfied that said Elizabeth P. W. Packard is SANE.
| John Stiles, Foreman. | H. Hirshberg. |
| Daniel G. Bean. | Nelson Jervais. |
| F. G. Hutchinson. | William Hyer. |
| V. H. Young. | Geo. H. Andrews. |
| G. M. Lyons. | J. F. Mafit. |
| Thomas Muncey. | Lemuel Milk. |
Cheers rose from every part, of the house; the ladies waved their handkerchiefs, and pressed around Mrs. Packard, and extended her their congratulations. It was sometime before the outburst of applause could be checked. When order was restored, the counsel for Mrs. Packard moved the court, that she be discharged. Thereupon the court ordered the clerk to enter the following order:
| STATE OF ILLINOIS, | } | ss. |
| KANKAKEE COUNTY. |
It is hereby ordered that Mrs. Elizabeth P. W. Packard be relieved from all restraint incompatible with her condition as a sane woman.