Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-05-27
Nav 4th, 1876.
THE CASE OF MRS. LINCOLN.

TIE CASE OF MRS. LINCOLN.
We refer TO this case with no purpose
of grieving the friends of the lady or oil
pandering to curiosity, but simply to eX-
plain that in all the painful proceedings
Mrs. Lincoln has been treated in the kind
est and gentlest manner by her own per-
.onal friends, and that from the beginning
to the end she maintained her dignity and
character as lady. For several years
after the assassination Of her husband,
Mrs. Lincoln was pursued by menlal
picture of the dreadful scene. She could
not shake it off. She cour;cd Solitude
denied herself to all visitors and friends,
and became victim to hysteria. accom-
panied by various apprehensions, OF which
destitution, poverty and absolute want
were the more violent. A gentleman OF
this city, one of the warmest personal
friends of her husband, succeeded in OBJ
tanning an interview, and then free access
to her at all times. During period OF
more than year, during which he visited
her mainly at her special request, she
never failed to begin the interview with a
minute detail of the events of that fatal
Friday on which her husband was MUIR
dered. This same story was repeated at
every interview, and almost in the exact
words each time. 1t had engrossed her
mind TO the exclusion OF ali other things
past and present, except the gloomy APP
prehension that she was reduced to want.
At last. he proposed that she leave the
hotel, and buy house, furnish ii, and re-
ceive friends, and have some cares to dl-
vert her mind. She at last consented. ana
he states that during the few months IN
which the house was purchased and she
was engaged in furnishing it, and thus
had active employment, she was compar-
atively happy, and had shaken OIL The Ter
ror and wretchedness which had previous
" afflicted her. But when this business
was completed, when there was nothing
more to be done, her home again became
q sort of prison. and she relapsed into all
the old gloom, dependency and terror
Acting under these combined Influences
she did many things which were surprls-
ing, if not painful, to her friends. She
had an aversion for companionship and
acquaintance she closed all means OF
social approach; she lived within the Sc
clusion Of her rooms. suffering and endur-
ing the ever present horror OF the one ter
rible event At times she would grow
restless, and suddenly change her resi-
dence: but wherever she went the relief
was temporary, the relapse inevitable.
Under this intense strain. her mind grad
ually became unbalanced, and year after
year she has required more and more the
vigilant care of her friends.
Her condition and what was to be done
for her. have been long and carefully CON
sidered, and her mental weakness and
eccentricties during the last few months
became SO alarming that some preventive
action became necessary. She had among
other things become possessed OF the idea
that Chicago was on fire, and she had
withdrawn the bonds and other secur-
tiles in which her funds were invested
from the vaults Of the Fidelity Deposit
Company, and carried them on her per-
son. feeling thus prepared for instant
flight. There was reason to apprehend
that in her restless. troubled state of mind
she might receive personal injury. and at
last, when longer delay would really be
cruelty and neglect Of duty, her son was
compelled to the painful proceeding which
under the laws of this State. must precede
any detention or restraint for insanity.
All the old personal friends of Mr.. Lincoln
were consulted. The Hon. Isaac n. Ar
mold was appointed her counsel. The
Hon. Leonard SWEET assumed the even
more delicate task OF representing the
Sheriff and executing the process OF the
Court. 1t is needless to say that the duty
OF arres,ing her, of conveying her 10 the
courtroom, Of communicating 10 her the
character and necessity for the proceed
ings. and the proposed disposal of her
person under restraint, was performed in
the most delicate manner, requiring. how
ever, persistent frmness, great patience,
and personal kindness. Her peculiar con-
dition of mind was evidenced by many
ingenious pretexts to postpone, delay, or
eyads action but these being met with
Kindness and candor, she yielded to her
friends, and submitted to the decree Of
the judicial inquiry.
We refrain from publishing the details
of her arrest by Mr.. SWEET, and the sub
seauent arrangements for her departure
10 the place of detention. 1t is sufficient