The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-06

chicago Times, ~
There is at present confined in the armory . maniac
who in his paroxysms Of madness is one Of the most
woful as well as one Of the most desperate creatures
disease of insanity came upon him, the circumstances
which surrounded him when his mind was healthy. and
the deeds which he has recently attempted TO commit
form altogether subject that will admit Of specific treas
ment.
Last Thursday morning the mailman flor such he was
although did not 80 appear at tibet me took lodgings
for himself and three small children at tbs Prescott
House. Van Buren, and Clark streets registering
his name Henry Smith, Saratoga Springs, N. Y. In
the afternoon he went TO Mr. Fox the landlord and de-
sired to deposit some money with him, saying that he
going to die that night. II was then discovered
for the first time that his mind deranged and the
landlord despatched messenger to Sergeant Hickey Of
the police, to inform him Of the fact The sergeant re-
turned word that, unless the violent the best
plan adopt would be retain him at the house and
what demonstration he would make. The man. to-
gether with his children took that evening among
other guests and retired TO his The proprietor be-
ing constantly engaged about the affairs Of his house.
evening" when Of the servants informed him that Mr..
Smith had not been at table since the day previous The
porter sent TO his room TO look after the matter but
refused admtance. Mr.. Fox then up himself,
but also informed that he could not enter.
"Why don't You and get something TO eatf said
he. "Your children hungry They have had no
food for twenty-four hours"
1--WE want nothing TO eat :" was tho reply; 1--WE are
going to.de TO- might"
Mr. Fox then sad 'Tf you do not open the door shall
be compelled TO force 1t open.
To which Mr.. Smith retorted:-
down you will die before do'
for assistance In short time two policemen arrived
and together the party Of three endeavoed to force the
door, but did not succeed Besides being bolted and
locked it was braced with bar off the bedsead. They
next tried to enter through side door, which led into
adjacent room, but that OO had been fastened, by
tying OF bcdQuilt the knob and the op-
posite to the bedstcad The door opened
few inches however and Mr. Fox, placing his hand in
sde unte the bcdqnit received terrible blow from
club in the hands OF the maniac, which nearly broke
his arm, and will render u useless for tine. The
policemen now burst through the door, when ono OF
them who happened to stumble q trunk,
struck the shoulders with the club and severely in
jured The mailman was then seized and manacled.
pr vided himself, heavy dagger found upon the
window casing. The children lying together
wise upon the bed, fright ned almost to DEATH and the
eldest declared that he had arranged to kill them all al
midnight 4 ~
Letters found upon Smiths person show that his wife
is at present inmate Of e insane asylum Utica,
New York. letter from DR.. Gray the physician of The
institution stated that she was Improving. He also had
letter from brother at Frceburg Illinois, inviting him
to brig his children there and provided with rail-
road pass 10 St. Louis He Is about thirty Ave years Of
age, and has b. sergeant in the Fifteenth New York
cavalry, as shown by his scharge
The children aged respectively three six and eight
years the youngest ing boy. Their uncle at Free
burg has been sent for and they will receive the kndest
attention until hearrives But shudcr at the
which awaits these little ones when he thinks Of the
terrible maady viii they will Inherit from both father
and mother. The sum deposited by the insane with
the hotel keeper $75 49, From cOnvcrsat ons with
Mr.. Smith the inference drawn that the trouble
created in his mind by his wies insanity what pro-
duced the same affection in him.