Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-09-07
THE GAZETTE.
TUESDAY MORNING, SrrrrnsER 7, 1858.

TUESDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 7, 1858.
INCIDENTS In THE STOCKTON INSANE
ASYLUM.
The following parratiou exhibits something
Of the craftiuess and cunning Of the insane,
but especially the great tact and presence Of
mind necessary on the part Of the conductors,
particularly in emergencies, when dealing
with their patients:
The former excellent mstron, Mrs. Reid,
with her attendant, generally called Eiizie, had
gone as usual in the morning. into the apart
ment of the most raving females. They were
all yet 10 their separate apartments leading
into one long hall. On some occasion
Mrs. Reid bad gone forward to the farther end
and Lizzie, contrary to regulations, had open
ed one Of the apartments where a very strong,
insane woman slept. This woman was some
times very furious, and would not Tear 70
commit any deed, even to take life II proVok.
ed. She had formerly drank excessively and
was ardently fond of sherry wine; but there
was no difficulty 10 dealing with Der when
she knew that her managers were stronger
than herself. % this occasion, as Eiiz'e en-
tered, the bundle of keys were impruden,ly
left in the door, and arrangements were be-
ing made to battle the insane woman.
Watching carefully her opportunity, the
woman slipped By .Elizie, shut the door ana
turned the key; then with the oouno Oh d
wild beast, her eyes flashing with excitement
she sprapg forward to Mrs. Reid and ex-
claimed, "Ob! Mother Reid! I've shut LIZ
zie into my roop, have got the Keys, and
now you are in my power" Mrs. Reid be-
Jog a person of only ordinary strength, knew
she could do nothing with her, but pleasant
" replied, well, what do you propose to do'"
The fierce maniac replied, 'pp going TO
shut you up too; open the other rooms aud
let ali the women out" well" said Mrs.
Reid, "sud What theb?" "Then Pu going
to San Francisco" was the reply. why.
in those clothes you have got o." said Mrs.
Reid, "surely every body will laugh at you"
Job, WELL" was the reply, after a moments
survey of her clothes, II will 60 and buy me
some new ones in San Francisco" But"
said Mrs. Reid, "you can't because every one
will know OF once by those clothes that you
come from the Insane Asylum, and they Will
take you and bring you right back AGAIN.
Stopping for a moment for effect, as the raw
ing womsn was looking ut her dress, she au-
ded, Nov, l know where ell the new dresses
are, and l can fix you out so that no one shall
detect you. You don't know the room, but
come with me and | can show you"
So together they started along the hail.
As they were going, the insane woman hold
ing tight the keys, Mrs. Reid observed to her:
Nov, do you suppose that for a bottle OF
sherry wine you could pick out the key to
Liszie's door," YES" was the reply, "tor
q bottle of sherry wine l could" 81 hardly
think you cap," said Mrs. Reid. Yes
cau," was the reply. "Well, nov, said Mrs.
Reid, ''let us see." The insane woman turn
ed at once to the door where Elizie was lock-
ed in, and tried one key, and it would not
answer; next, another was tried aud iaIled
and the eagernesS of the woman Increased as
each key failed, till in a little the right key
was reached, turned with a wrench and the
door thrown back wide open. In a moment
Elizie sprsug out, and Mrs. Reid grasped the
insane woman around the waist, pinning her
arms to her body; and Elizie in like manner
seized her around the lower limbs, and she
was quickly borne by the two into her room
and the two, stepping cut turned the key,
then first to breathe easy since the danger
was perceived. 1t was an occasion OF reJoic.
ing at their escape, Of severe and deserved re-
proach to Elizie for her imprudence in enter
ing alone, and leaving the keys in the door,
and Of earnest proteststions by Eliz'e. that she
would be more careful sgain.-Sdn Francisco