Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-12-21
MafN harris

The following brief historv of Mary Harris,
the yong woman vhs shoi Burroughs, her
former lover, In Washington, and was aftrr-
WARDS acquitted or The ground of insanity, is
from The report OF D.. Nichols. OF the Insane
Asylum here, 70 the Association Of Medical
Superintendenis OF American Insnsuuons tor
the Insane:
After the Trial Miss Nary Harris was taken
10 live with two maiden ladies OF the name OF
Devfn, with one Of whom she b ad previously
lived. These ladies about this time removed
from wisconsin. where they had previously
lived, 70 Richmond, Va, taking NJ IS Harris
with them, when she TOOK another name. waIle
there a man or the name of Collins V si'ed the
sisters At their house, and finally married one
OF them Mary Harris al first seemed pleased
with bis society, and apparently enjoyed ms
calls; buI when she found thar there was a
prospect OF his marrying :he elder Miss Dew
lin. her sentiments towards him changed 20
feelings OF bitter dislike. She frequently ex-
attempted TO stab him. She made a very dis.
tnct attempt, and actually did cut his clothes
but did him no serious harm. Mrs. Collins
formerly Miss Louisa Deviin) then orousht
her up 10 Washington and made her situa-
anon known 20 Mr.. Bradley, who asked me
10 visit her at the National Hotel, where
mrs. Collins and she had taken lodgings I
found her extremely emacisted and pale
Mrs. Collins stated that she had eaten very
Iltile, aud slept very little for several months
Her pathological condi;ion-was that of cata
lepsy. Her positions were fixed, rigid, aud
continued, though ofientimes lutte awkward
and sncn as would he painful TO a person IN
health. Considerable force was necessary 10
raise her arm or change her position. but a
LIMB OF her body would remain in any position
TO which II was brought. IL was difti cult also
10 obtain from hsr answers to questions. Mrs
collins also stated that she had manifested a
strong suicioal propensity. She denied dis
tinctly, as she had alUavs, that she was in
sane, And that she needed any treatment as IN
sane persons require, OF, IN fact. that she
needed any treatment at ali on account OF I'M.
health.
1t will be calculated 10 remove anv iupres-
SION That may be entertained, that this suici-
Gal disposition was the consequence OF re-
morse for the homicide she had committed, for
me TO mention that she often SAID che did not
desire 10 live, and attempted to leave the house
under circumstances which gave rae 20 :he
suspi icion hat she intended 10 commit suicide,
Al ne close OF this interview, I expressed 10
mr.. Bradley, who accompanied me, the opin-
ION that she was insane, ana that uless she
was put under restraint, she would either
commit homicide or suicide. 1 regarded her
insanity as dangerous 10 herself and others.
4 In the course OF a day or two she consented
to come TO the hospital with Bradley. Her
consent was very reluctantly gwen, aud only
upon the persnasions of ore who had so
greatly beirended her. The second day, !
think, after her coming 10 the hospitsI, two OF
tne leading physicians visited her, and. after
an examina alton, made necessary certificate up-
DER cam. for her admission into the institution
as q free District patient. Her admission took
place near the middle of last winter aud she
rs still with ne. Her health IS now very con-
siderably improved She a. first ate very Ht.
-. p 'SAy h'1ios enc NJ" stcepS NerV
wen, and her appetite L. fair, aud sne has
gained some flesh. She is nervous and irrita
Ole during her catamenial period and on save-
raj such occasions she has displayed tea
dency to violence
She frequently express the desire 20 leave
tne hospital, and always stoutly MAINTAIN
Inat she is not insane and never has been
Wnen asked why she does things that are SO
extraordinary, she usually answers she really
oofs not know, and is only partially aware Of
Wnai me mas done. On other occasions she
says she Knows she did strange things of
when she is reminded. but could not ne In
doing them. She usually lies in he'd
during the cstamenial period. She appe ared
10 be passing through a recent sickness favor
ABLY. when in bed, and alone in her room
suddenly got up and broke everytninr thai
was deetrUctable IN the room. IL appeared
tnat no external exciting cause had In udaced
this act.