The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-04-26

nun auout inc shave, they dismissed me, and
thanked them for it.
JOSIAH Waite.--Babbit was chained in the
square house as much as a month In the
spring he was removed to the small house,
when ms situation was such as has already
been described. Never knew him abused
otherwise than his confinement. Heard
Warner say he did not think him dersnged.
but that he was a passionate man and did not
govern his temper, that he had had authority
among them, and thought he could do now as
he did then.
joined the Shakers in 1920 and left within a
Year. ] have heard the members complain
That they thought the leaders too severe with
Rabbit, though they had to be cautious what
they said. The commands of the leaders
were called gifts, or the gifts Of God.
heard Crouch say he wanted Rabbits door
kept shut, for he should be much mortified to
have the world know about it.
John Z. Hurts. Saw Rabbit chained at
The square house Rabbit asked me to re-
lease him, which | refused. He then asked
meto bring him some fire, but declined, tel
ling him that if did, might get chained my
SELF Have been in the small house where
Rabbit was kept, and think ahould, myself,
rather have lille better air. Joined the
Shakers in April, 1917, and seeded in June,
1924.
Jonathan Clark, called again. one day
left Rabbit at liberty in his small house, and
went to rake hay. | was soon sent for, and
returned. found that he had gone to the
house near by, and understood the women
were afraid OF him and fastened him out, and
he broke the windows in consequence. Bah
bit has sister with the Shakers who has sew
eral children.
~ ". Hammond called agan.-Babbit
has sister with the Shakers. 1t is against
the order for any member to tell any Of the
secrets, especially TO the worlds people. |
never knew any person, not member, to be
admitted to sec Rabbit, nor was any physi-
clan called to him.
The testimony on behalf of the Government
here closed.
The defence was then opened by Judge
Dana, of Grotop, who commenced by citing
authorities TO shew that the right of the rela-
tons or friends of deranged persons, to con-
fine them, and 10 coerce obedience by vio-
lence, where it was necessary, was recognized
by law. He held that this was often the on
ly way in which such persons could be con-
irolled, and that such was the case with Bah
Nit--that he had, by his own voluntary act,
when in the possession of his reason, joined
himself to the society of Shakers, and thereby
subjected himself to their authority. He then
proceeded to call the witnesses for the defend
ants.
Dr. Amos BdnGrof.-On the 10Th OF Sep
tember last, | saw Rabbit in the room describ-
ed by the witness. The window was open,
and there was plenty OF air, and he was clean
and neat. lie appeared to be deranged, ap-
preaching idiocy. His recollection was most
ly gone :; did not give correct answers relative
10 his own family. have seen some derang-
ed people confined in better places, and some
in worse. Saw him again the fore part Of
this month, and his understanding appeared
more decayed than before. No person, ac-
quainted with insanity, could doubt his de-
ransemeni. tie is naturally choleric and ir-
rascibe
DR.. .aarOn Bdrd.--Saw Rabbit the latter
part OF August last-passed through between
the studs into his room Rabbit was evident.
lY deranged--when questioned he would gen.
orally answer in a whisper. | saw him in the
winter when his faculties were more decay
cd, aud it was with difficulty | could get an
answer from him. think his situation better
than the average of people under such cir
cnmstances. The room might be comforta-
lily warmed by stove. Have heard Moses
w. Hammond speak of Rabbit as maniac,
aud tell of their having much trouble with
him, and OF their being at great expense on
his account.
Asa BroklsbGnk, Gan Elder of the society
at Shirley, in the vicinity of Harvard. )-Bab-
hit moved TO Harvard in 1891 with his fami-
iy, and bought farm, where he lived a year
and half, when he put his property into the
common stock, and took charge of the affairs
of the society. He was very strict as related
10 any profane language. In 1914, he began
TO fail and grow forgetful, and, soon after
transacted some business in such a manner
that there was a loss sustained, and consider
able uneasiness was created. Afterwards, he
had two shocks of palsy | was often at Har-
ward, and generally saw Rabbit when there.
never saw him when chained, but have
seen the room, which is comfortable one.
have seen him frequently when at his small
house, and have seen the room dirty, and the
bed and bedding carried out to be cleansed
and dried. IN consequence of his neglecting
the common decencies Of nature. He has to
be cleaned every day. There is no rule of
our society which prevents members from tel
ling any Of our transactions. Seth Rabbits
father was partially deranged, several Yeas
prior to his death. | was at Harvard Just be-
fore Rabbit was confined, in 1922, and know
that fears Of violence were entertained Of him
by the family, particularly the females. His
daughter told me she was afraid to go near
him, as he would attack her as soon as any
one else.
Thomas CorbeH.-( Belongs to Canterbury,
N. H.) Was at Harvard village in 1928.
Had considerable conversation with Moses w.
Hammond. Expressed wish to see Rabbit,
with whom | was acquainted. Hammond
told me that he would not know me, for he
did not know his own lamily-said that he
was crazy, and was an awful trouble--that
they had been obliged 20 keep him chained
to prevent his burning the building, and injur-
ing the inhabitants. He said they took the
best care of him that they could.