Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-02-05

in Gushing, Me. There was very HeaFy
sea at the time Of the accident, and Captain
Chadwick and his mate, named Young, near'
" los: their lives in trying to save the drown
ing man. They got into the boat. but she
was driven under the stern of the schooner
and capsized They managed, however, to
cling to the boat until the two men who were
left on the schooner could get at them and
haul them in. They were in the water long
time, however, and when taken oat were
nearly ready TO lose their hold and share the
fate Of Hathorn.
MRS. PACKARD IND THE INSANE
ASYLUNS.
To the Editor Of The Journal:
have been considerably interested during
the present session of the Legislature in the
efforts of Mrs. Packard to provide by add
tional legislation for the more complete pro-
abuses which, it is alleged, are practiced
within the walls of the asylums, and espec'
tally has my sympathy been excited in behalf
of these unfortunate persons by the extracts
from Mrs. Packard's book, which have re-
Gently appeared in your paper. And while
in manner and address Mrs. Packard has i'm
pressed all with whom she has conversed as
lady of culture and Jealous and self sac
ri6cing laborer in the CAUSE of our common
humanity, confess that have been slow to
believe that any man in this civilized age,
occupying so responsible position as that of
Superintendent OF an insane hospital, could
have fallen so low in the scale of humanity
as to be guilty of the crimes which are al
legged in the extracts referred to.
With the view, therefore, of satisfying my
self upon this point preparatory to the full
acceptance of the"Total Depravity" theory.
| have taken pains to ascertain the true his
tory of Mrs. Packard's connection with in
sane asylums, and the evidence which have
obtained is so entirely inconsistent with the
statements which Mrs Packard has made to
the Legislature, that regard it as my duty
to make simple statement Of the facts which
have come to my knowledge, for the benefit
of those members Of the Legislature who
may have been induced to favor unwise leg
islation by the Jealous labors of this accom-
plished female lobbyist And without ex-
pressing any opinion of my own upon the
subject respectfully submit a briet state
ment Of "the other side" of this story, leav-
ing our legislators to determine for them
selves as to whether the statements made by
Mrs. Packard are entitled to the considera-
ton which has been given them
have before me Especial Report OF the
Trustees of the Illinois State Hospital for the
Insane reviewing the report of Legislative
Committee appointed by the Illinois Legisla-
ture, published in 1868. From that report it
appears that Mrs. Packard is about fifty-siX
years of age, of agreeable personal appear
Her first attack of Misunderstanding from
decided constitutional predisposition-wa in
early life, when she was placed in the Massa-
chusetts State Hospital, at Worcester, by her
father. She was committed to the Insane
Hospital of Illinois, at the request of her
husband-on the usual medical certificates
June 10, 1860, Here the Trustees say, "she
was intriguing, untruthful, and ceaseless in
her efforts to spread jealousy, discomfort and
disaiiection among all with whom she asso-
cated." Sept. 4, 1862, the Superintendent
urges her discharge 'for reasons Of general
expedicncy. the first quarterly meeting of
the Board after the expiration Of the two
years trial to which every patient is entitled
before being suggested for discharge. The
suggestion of the Superintendent not being
needed by the Trustees, the request was again
and again urged by the Superintendent, and
March 4, 1868, the Trustees ordered that she
be discharged after June 10, 1868. This re
luctance to discharge the patient at the thrice
repeated request of the Superintendent, arose,
the Trustees say, ''from the remonstrance of
her friends; not the least urgent Of whom
were her father, brother, and other relatives"
On the day set for her discharge-the car
rage being at the door--she absolutely refus-
ed to lcare, barring the door Of her room from
the inside against the entrance of any one.
The room was entered by the use Of some
force, and herself borne to the carriage by at
tendants--shc all TIE wAile rchemenHg pro-
testing against being taken from The Hospital.
This statement Of the matter hardly coin
cilrs With Mrs. fackard's s0ulharrowing
narrative, which sets forth in the most ,lra-
matte manner, ;hat she was 'incarcerated"
by her husband because of difference of
theological yews; that in all these three
years of "hopeless Imprisonment" she was
allowed no communication with the outside
world, and not allowed TO be alone even long
enough 10 commune with her God and that
finally she only succeeded in ehecting her ca
cape by smuggling a communication outside
by throwing it through the CRATES Of the win
dow of her cell, which being picked up, found
its way to a justice, and procured her release
on writ of hoteas corpus
The report then proceeds to take up the