Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-07-30

MRS. LINCOLN'S INSANITY.
The Present Condition Of Her Mind.
Mrs. M. L. Raync recently visited
Mrs. Lincoln at her present place of
abode-it can scarcely be called con-
finement-at Batavia, III. The ''Bel-
levue Insane Retreat is an elegant
asylum, owned and managed by DR..
r. J. Patterson, and stands at the
head of a delightfully."- shaded avenue,
surrounded by an enclosed area of
twenty acres under cultivation. The
building is massive stone mansion,
four stories high, facing the wide
drive leading to it, and presenting
the appearance of wealthy gentle
mans residence, rather than a hos
pital for minds diseased; while sur
rounding it is beautiful lawn, with
rustic chairs, swings, croquet grounds
&c. In regard to Mrs. Lincoln, the
writer says: 81 learned that Mrs.
Lincoln gave but little trouble, that
she rested well, and was quite salts
fed with her surroundings. A car
riage is always at her disposal, and
she frequently drives out, always with
the doctor and Mrs. Patterson, or her
own attendant, a rather attractive
young woman belonging to the Re-
treat. In regard to her riding Mrs.
Lincoln is very capricious. She will
announce her intention of riding be-
fore dinner, then postpone the ride
until afternoon and again until even
ing or the next day. She brought
with her to the Retreat, ten large
trunks, which have not yet been ex-
amined, but are supposed to contain
part of the miscellaneous collection
of purchases made during her stay at
the Grand Pacific Hotel, Chicago
Shortly after her arrival here, Mrs.
Lincoln ordered a morning-dress of
black French cambria, quite elabor-
ately made, white basque and pockets,
and black and white striped lawn,
remarking, that "every lady needed
cool toilets" She has never worn
them, or evinced any disposition to
try them on, but as soon as they were
completed ordered samples of black
alpaca, from which to select a suit;
her mind was diverted from this, as
it was only form of her malady to
accumulate material. Her dress is
at all times plain, even to shabbiness,
and no one could be more Indifferent
to the effects of the toilet. In one of
Mrs. Lincoln's trunks, at the Retreat,
are two very expensive doll babies
She accounts for their presence by
saying she intends to present them
to Robert Lincoln's little daughter, of
whom she is very fond.
l was anxious to pay my respects
to Mrs. Lincoln in person, but she
had positively refused to see any Wis
itors, even declining to leave her
room when they are in the house or
grounds, I anticipated nothing less
than a refusal when sent up my card.
To the doctors surprise and my own,
Mrs. Lincoln sent down word that
she would be very happy to see me
in her room, and l at once accom-
panied the doctor thither. She oc-
cupies suit in the front of the house,
on the second floor. The attendant
sits in the small room, which contains
a single bed. The larger is Mrs.
Lincoln's sitting and bedroom. 1t
is very plainly furnished, the same as
it was prior to her coming; an ordin-
ary three-ply carpet, of pleasant col
ors, harmoniously blended; a bureau,
rocking-chair, and lounge, and a plain
bedstead, with very fine bed, about
which she is quite particular. Mrs.
Lincoln was seated in an cxpectant
attitude by the table as we entered
the room; she at once arose, shook
hands with me cordially, and begged
me to be seated, and began at once
to inquire after friends in the city,
She was dressed in ordinary black,
half worn, with white ruches edged
with black in the neck and sleeves;
her dark hair, fast turning to gray,
was carelessly coitfed in a knot at the
back with coronet braid. She looked
worn and ill, and her hands, ringless
and uncared for, were never at rest.
The
Tender grace of day that is dead
did not llnger about her. I could
plainly see in her lusterless eyes, and
in the forced composure of her man.
ner, evidences of a shattered mind
She was perfectly ladylike in her
manner, but rambling and diffuse in
her conversation. She alluded ra-
however, to the past; spoke
tenderly of Mr.. Lincoln, once as "my
and again as ''the Presi-
dent;" asked me with much earnest
ness if the murderer of Hon. Sharon
Tyndale, of Springfield, had ever
been discovered, and then alluded
feelingly to her attachment to Judge
Bradwell's family. AS 1 rose to leave
she took handsome bouquet from a
crystal vase on her table, and asked
me to accept it. As she shook hands
with me at parting, | thought l could
perceive in the diplomatic bow and
smile a return of the old society man.
ner, and my heart was full for the
woman sat down silent and alone in
her solitary room, to keep imaginary
with Senators and Ambas-
sadors in the light Of that gracious,
kindly smile, long since hidden be-
meath the coffin lid. 1t is one of the
mercies vouchsafed her, to live life
over again with her loved ones-dear
little Willie and rollicking, boyish
Tad-to sit at the head Of the table
and hold familiar converse with them
all. 1t has been urged that this is
of her life among Spirit
ualists, but 1t is the result of scenes
photographed on the brain, which
only the Angel Of Death can erase.
Mrs. Lincoln did spend several