New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-05-28
WIFE ILLEGALLY DETAINED
A Year in an Insane Asylum
sCENEs IN COURT YESTERDAY

Before the Fourth District Court yester
day the wife Of q merchant of this city wa
brought on writ of habeas corpus. Mucl
interest was manifested by the spectators
and general sympathy was expressed fol
the lady whom Judge beaumont ordered tt
be released from her illegal detention. We
adopt the very accurate report of the Plea
yune:
The petition of Mrs. Pauline Landreaux
wife of Justus FRANKIE, of New Orleans, re-
spectfully shows that for the last twelve
months she is wrongfully deprived other lib
erty and illegally confined IN an insane asy
lum called the Louisiana Retreat, under the
direction and control and management OF
Superior Sister Severina, and located within
the corporate limits OF the city of New
Orleans.
Your petitioner further represents that
she was lawfully married with Justus
five living children Of tender age are now
the issue of said marriage. That she has
always been kind, devoted and faithful
wife, but has become mentally and physi-
cally weak on account of the neglect and
misconduct of her husband, who under pre-.
text of improving her health. caused her to
be incarcerated in said asylum since the
purpose of-(here follows grave charge
against the husband, which we omit, in
which Interior designs are set forth, which
we omit.)
Your petitioner further shows that she is
without pecuniary means to support her
SELF and that, under the aforesaid circum-
stances, it would be truly degrading and
humiliating for her to be compelled to re.
turn to the matrimonial domicil, but that
she desires to remain under the care and
protection of her mother until the complete
restoration of her health, provided reason
able and sufficient alimony be allowed to
her by her husband. Wherefore she prays
that writ of habeas corpus issue, to be |
directed to Superior Sister Severina and |
Justus FRANKIE, both OBTAINING petitioner |
confined, commanding them to bring be- |
fore your honor the person of petitioner,
and that, after due proceedings, she be set |
1t once at liberty, and for all and general |
relief.
The lady, it appears, was placed in the |
Louisiana Retreat upon a certificate, writ |
ten in French, given by Drs. De!ery and |
FACET, who, having been called in Ey the |
husband, gave statement to the effect that |
the lady was suffering from mental derange.
ment, which had become chronic, and that
she ought to receive the special attention
customary in such cases. They also advised |
that the air of the country would be better
than the city, and gave it as their opinion
that the Louisiana Retreat was as good
place as she could be possibly sent to in
order to effect, if not cure, an amelioration
of her disease.
The lady, who is of small stature and
rather pleasing address, was attended in
court by her mother and another lady
friend.
Sister Severina, accompanied By another
sister OF the Retreat, also appeared in
court to answer to the requirements of the
writ.
After the hearing of the case Judge Leau.
mont ordered that the lady be released
from the Retreat and allowed to 60 with her
mother.
The case created quite futter in the
Courthouse building, and during the trial
the courtroom was crowded with curious
spectators.
just as the lady had been discharged, and
before she got out of the courtroom, Mr..
peared in court and said he had not been
notified, and moved to be allowed to 20 at
once into an examination to show that the
lady was insane, and that she should not be
set at liberty.
This was objected to by opposite counsel,
but the court ruled that the examination |
should be gone into.
Sister Severina and her attendant Sister,
in their long, flowing drab dresses, broad
linen collars, and wearing the curiously
shaped linen hats usually worn by Sisters of
Charity, were called to the witness stand:
put before an examination could be gone
INTO the rule hour had expired, and the case
was continued over until Tomorrow morn.
ne, at ten o'clock.
Judge beaumont here decided that the
ady should 60 back with the Sisters to the
Retreat until tomorrow; but Mr.. Cazabat
objected, and asked that she be allowed to
% with her mother until that time.
At this juncture, Sister Severins, under
be impression that the court had decided
he lady must 60 with her, rose from her
eat and held out her hand to the lady, in
rde- to lead her from court. The lady,
owever, drew back, and clutched the sleeve 6
the dress of the mother, who was sitting
ext to her. o
Judge beaumont. who had witnessed this 8
tile scene. then ordered TINT the lady be q
rought before him, when the following :
onversatlon ensued. the lady having been 9
other. y
Judge--Where do you wish to 60 until you 81
ome back here tomorrow morning? g
Lady-With my mother. .
Mr.. Gilmore here suggested that the lady
questioned away from her mother. but 81
e court continuing, said: a.
You do not wish to 60 back to the retreat 81
mere you nave been staying for year? g
yudge,Were you not well treated there 8
Judge beaumont then said: LET the lady 100 100
WIN ner mother" and added, There
e many instances on record where parties
we been illegally detained in asylums. As lo2
!. nave seen no evidence OF insanity lo2
The lady was then taken ont of cour. h, los
r mother, the latter bursting into tears os ~,
Re left the stand in front of the Judca r