Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-10-12
WHOLE NO. 2506
Private Mad House.

lunS IN tne country. Inc SIatenonbS VI
the writer are said by the Post, editori-
ally, to be capable of proof by afidayits-
We give some extracts from this chapter
CT revelations, in reference to one insti-
tuition:
Circulars we're sent out, vaunting the
fine air of the situation, and boasting of
the table with luxuries, (boiled beef and
turnips, and of the medical staff, which
''staf" consists of one man. The Institu-
ton is Aourishing and full to the very
roof In some of the rooms six insane
men sleep together, and in one of these
squads was young man, not insane, but
imbecile; hard study had broken down
his mind. This lad incurred the hatred
of large and powerful man, named
Nc, in the same room, and was often
struck by him. The attendants propos-
ed their separation; the despot refused
or neglected to give the requisite order,
and one morning the poor student was
found dead on the hoor-strangled in the
night by the powerful Nc. The next
evening ne was quietly buried in the
] grounds of the institution.
The great facilities for what may call
family Imprisonment, which private in
stitutions present, develope some very
shocking traits in our nature. For in
stance: two ladies arrived with their
mother, an old woman between eighty
and ninety years of age, and with fail
ing intellect; but her daughters are care
ful to state that she Is not insane. One of
these daughters was the wife of judge,
residing in the city of Washington; the
other was dashing woman of the world,
with daughters growing up and residing
at fashionable hotel, who remarked
very naively to one of the matTons, that,
indeed, the increasing expenses of my
daughters, renders the whole of mothers
income necessary to u.s." The old lady
died in about two years. She was proba-
bly as well attended to as the nature of
the place permitted; but where were her
children, who in their infancy had cost
her many pang and many sleepless
night
l fear to enumerate the trivial grounds
on which fathers commit their daughters
to this living tomb, and am amazed at
q the levity with which women generally
are deprived of their liberty by daughters
, husbands and fathers
i Mr.. L., of Loudon county, Virginia,
brought in his daughter, charged with
disobedience. She was an innocent girl
! of nineteen years. The girls story was
| that after her mothers death her elder
o sisters made her servant, called her Gin
? derilla, and drove her to the kitchen
e She had, as we may imagine, constant
g ouarrels with her sisters, and at length
v her father took sides against her, sal
y though" she says, ''when he was sick
I was the only one to nurse him." Her
g only hope of release lay in the circum-
!, stance that her father, being penurous
= man, might tire of paying her boardI
n Her release came about in this way: Her
0 father was a Union man, and as such
was sGnG " ldlAY nnCAO nc OHS 49,
a in loathsome cell, and had time tore
/, feet upon the nature and efficacy of I'M
n prisonment, and when he gained his lib
70 erty he came and took her out, after two
IA years Of confinement.
le The case of Miss A. Picture, young
girl of slight and graceful figure, with a
e face wonderfully resembling that of Eu-
genie, but with color in her cheeks and
fine glossy hair, well educated and good
musician, possessing a voice of enchant-
ing sweetness and great Aexibility, and
of blessed with a generous and atfectionate
of nature, Just nineteen years of age, and
Of the daughter Of ''shoddy millionaire,
in who was placed in this institution by her
as father for disobedience, and for contenl-
as plating marriage not liked by him For
Us this she has spent the last three years oi
It. her life in prison, and for attempting to
i. communicate with the outside world wa:
ne put in close confinement, wearing tie
t. straight jacket, and sometimes the iron
no mask, and otherwise receiving bruta
III treatment. This girl of whom most faith
ers would have been proud, was offer
W. compelled to associate with women o
Ill the most abandoned character.
3D. The facility which medical certificate e
ho can be procured would admit of copiou,
IS illustration from this house, although il
he most cases they are entirely dispense
for with, as being, it would seem. frivolou
re, formality.
ott. A young lady who bears the name
~ ~ one of the signers of the Declaration o
ve Independence, and with his blood run
lie, ming in her veins, ate the bread of de
er; pendence at the table of wealthy an
na proud uncle until it grew bitter.
er. "You must stop these headaches" sal
,ur her aunt, one day, ''or go to a boardin
full house." She was procured situation =
er' governess in this city; but when this in
of formation n reached the ears of the aristC
cratic uncle, he procured certificate q
ut. insanity from medal man, and carrie
in her to the institution Enter" said he
a uncle, 81 will teach you TO disgrace you
nd nd family" She entered the house. an
was at the tender mercy of the despc
Ids who ruled it.
In r Presently hustle was heard, wome
itb ran to and fro, and handouts were calle
for. what is the ruatter" asks on
,lu- present. "Oh, nothing" was the answe
ach ''only she would not give up the money
eI- % And now arrived the turning point
this girls fate. If she had no frien'
; outside who would interest themselv'
' for bar she was fated to tread the roa