Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1842-03-19
MCDONALD CLARKE,


Clarke's mental constitution, not excepting e.
ven his exaggerated idea of his poetica capa-
city, was an extreme susceptibility in the
matter of the tender passion. In fact he was,
or fanced himself, always in love with some
real or imaginary charmer; and withai he had
a strong inclination to believe the real or iria-
ginary charmers as much in love with him.
ON this subject, # on 10 other, he was decided
ly insane; and many Of us no doubt remember
the absurditcs he committed and the mortifca-
tions he was subjected to, in foumer years, un-
der the influence of this morbid feeling. ltwas
at this weak point of his idiosyncracy that the
person above alluded to assailed him.
To intima tions that some young and lovely
lady had looked upon him with interest and ia
vor, poor Clarke always listened with credulous
avidity; and such intimations were poured in
to his excitable mind by the person above allu-
ded to. The lady in auestion--young, beauti-
ful and rch--is a daughter of one OF our most
respectable families, living in Broadway of
course we need scarcely say that ,hc use made
ted. But TO Clarke the tale was given as a de-
lightful and unquestionable truth; and the un-
worthy deception was carried out by the 'tdbfi.
cation of pretended correspondence In pro-
cess, of time Clarke naturally became eager for
an interviews and one was promised hun ,On
the appointed evening Saturday, February II
he went to the house in company with his
deceiging friend but on the way the latter con-
tessed that he had spoken falsely in claiming
acquaintance with the lady-that he could not
personally effect an introduction--but tina, he,
Clarke, IVES expected, and would be admitted
on sending III a token with which the friend
provided him. Arrived at the door, the dccc-
yer hastily withdrew, and Clarke, in undoubt-
ing confidence, requested to see the lady, re-
plying to the answer that she was engaged, by
sending in the token with which he had been
furnished. OF course the adniission'h he expect
ed was denied him, and perhaps with some de-
gree ofharslIpess.
The immediate effect upon, Clarkes mind
and feelings we do not know; but at about
nine o'clock represented himselfat the Carlton
House, which he was in the habit of visiting,
perfectly mad. The bar-kecpcr. whose name
also is Clarke, and some of the. gentlemen resi-
ding in the house, did all they could 10 soothc
and quiet hin, and finally took him 10 his own
home. On Monday evening he appeared again
at the Carlton, in much the same condition, and
again on Tuesday evening, apd both times he
was kindly treated and taken home as before.
On "Wednesday. evening, at about o'clock,
he called again, but not finding there any of the
gentlemen he knew, went away Immediately.
lie was met soon after by person who had
some slight acquaintance with him, whom he
addressed incohereA,y, and who, percciviug
that be was laboring under excitement akin to
insanity, called Bowyer, the officer, who hap
Pened to be passing, and advised that he should
be takon care of. 1t was then RAINING violcHt-
Fly. Bowyer took him ito the watchho at
"the Tombs;'' and placed him in charge of one
of the keepers. He was admitted, into tue ge-
reception Toasf for yagraHis, SC, but ma
king some disturbance and causing no little
trouble, was in the course of the night, very i'm
properly thrust into one of the small cells in
the inner prison, wbeve he remained uHtiL The
next day, Cfhursday) at ii O'Clock; Justice
Parker then heard that he had been taken up
or learned it from the watch returns and i'm
mediately proceeded to- the cell, where he found
tpoor Clarke in a pitiahe condition. 7Thc un-
happy man, labQfing under what mad halluci-
nation we. can neverskAaw had stripped him
self completely, and turning the stop stock, with
which each cell is provided, had allowed the
water to flow in. spon him, probably all night
When yJnstice Parker opened the door, Clarke
was standing naked, in, the corner of the cell,
up to his apEics IN the water, his clothes, which
he had thrown upon the hoor,were lterap,
soaked, asid he was shvering with mortal cold !;
but still wild and ravng maniac.
lie was instantly removed to a warm bed,
dry clothes were procured for him from the
Carlton House, and as soon as possible he was
placed in a carriage and taken TO the Lunatic
Asylum on Blackwel's Island. There his
manlacal excitement was so great thatit was
necessary TO put on him a strait WalstcQat aud
strap him to his bed, So .he continued. until
Frdey, the .4th of March, when he became
partially sensible, but Mas SO reduced that he
conld not speak save in moaosyiables and will
great dlifcuty-meFely answering yes or III
to the questions that were asked him. On be
ing Informed by the physician that he woult
probably soon die, he iecbly muttercd That hl