Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-03-29
The Case Of Return TO Reason, after
Forty Years Insanity.

We stated the other day, in general terms, the
case of man in the Newton Poor House, who,
after an insanity Of about forty years, Thirty of
which he was chained,) had recovered his rea-
son. We are now able to give the public the
particulars of this remarkable CASE which we
received from Isaac Hagar, Esq, Chairman of
the Seectmen of that town. The name of this
unfortunate man is Elisha Robbins, formerly
shoemaker. He was born about the year 1856,
and is therefore nearly sixty four years of age
He was twenty-iour years old when first seized
with insanity. By that time he had Just lost his
wife, by whom he had two children then living.
1t is not certainly known at this distant day
what actually caused his insanity-perhops the
loss of his wife. Soon after his seizure he was
so violent that it became necessary to chain him
down without clothes save n shirt and only straw
to sleep upon This course was rendered abso.
lutely necessary by his habits which were no
better than the beasts of the field, At one time
the paupers were farmed out by the town to the
lowest bidders. Among others was Robbins,
who was chained in barn by his keeper, where
he was found one day with his feet frozen SO as
to render their amputation necessary. He was
forthwith removed, and since that tine he had
every comfort, compatible with his situation-his
room being always kept warm. He was once
visited by the celebrated Miss DIX, who made
special report upon the cruelty of claiming him
almost naked in the straw Perhaps with more
thorough understanding Of some peculiar featu-
gss e e h{ih6 Inc Ra,haHryat me rts5e5. 4
year ago, Robbins first began TO exhibit signs of
returning reason. 1t was observed that he paid
more attention to personal cleanliness He was
encouraged, and shortly appeared after the
lapse of nearly half a century-n the clothing
Of man. Soon after he was allowed to wan.
der about the'building, and at times he would
turn to and help i'll light work, such as husking
corn, &c. Finally he began to talk of persons
and places familiar in his youthful days, before
his reason was clouded; but beyond that period
all to him is blank. He described with perfect
accuracy places of which he was conversant il
his earlier days; spoke of the companions o.
that period; of one in particular, whom he de-
4 nominated ga gal," though if now living she ha.
attained to over three score years. He has beer
tried in various ways as to the verge of his mem
D ory; but it always stops at the commencement
of his insanity. One day the marriage of al
acquaintance, which took place in his early day,
of reason, was mentioned, and the name of til,
bride Intentionally misstated He instantly cor
rected the error and gave the right name. Wher
asked what year he was born he replies "abou
1885," but still insists that he is but twenty -fou
years of age At the last accounts he continue,
to improve, and it was hoped that reason was
G gain firmly seated on her throne. Great credi
is due to the overseer (Mr. Parks and the tow
o authorities for their judicous and perseverin!
efforts to assist nature in bringing about this re
e markable result-,BoSton Traveler.