The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-07-21
MRS. LINCOLN.
A Visit 70 Her Observation-Disclosures of
Her Insanity.
From the Chicago Post.

rrOHl inc CnlCASO EOsL
BATAVIA, ILL.,, July 9.-* y Of
fered my credentials and was cordially in
vited to enter. DR.. Patterson led the way
into dainty Office. caparisoned like la
dies boudoir, and seated me in luxurious
reclining chair while he went in search of
the lady members of his family. These
consisted of Mrs. Patterson, who is matron
of the Retreat, and her daughter, Miss
Blanche, fair delicate girl of much Gull
ture. There is also son. DrrJohn Pat
terson, who is medical assistant and in
partnership with his father. After pleas
ant chat on topics Of the day l inquired
after the health of Mrs. President Lincoln,
who is an inmate Of Bellevue Place since
her insanity was decided by the courts of
Chicago. The Doctor was exceedingly re-
ticent about that unfortunate lady, and
while l professionally deprecated his eau
tioD,I could not but approve of his delicacy.
BY degrees1 learned that Mrs Lincoln
gave but little trouble, that she rested well
and was quite satisfied with her surround
ings. A carriage is always at her disposal,
and she frequently drives out, always with
the doctor and Mrs Patterson or her own
attendant, rather attractive young wo-
man belonging to the Retreat In regard
to her riding Mrs. Lincolnis very capricious.
She will announce her intention of riding
before dinner, then postpone the ride un-
I'll afternoon and again until evening or
the next day. She brought with her to
the Retreat ten large trunks, which have
not been examined. but are supposed to
contain part Of the miscellaneous collection
of purchases made during her stay at the
Grand Pacific Hotel, IN Chicago. Shortly
after her arrival here Mrs. Lincoln ordered
u morning dress of black French cambria.
quite deliberately 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 even try them
on, but as soon as they were completed
ordered samples of black alpaca
from which to select 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 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. was anxious to pay my
respects to Mrs. Lincoln in person; bat as
she has positively refused TO see any yisi-
tors, even declining to leave her room when
they are in the house or grounds, l antici
pated nothing but 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 | at once accompanied the doc
tor thither. She occupies suite in the
front of the house on the second floor.
IN MRS. LINCoLN's ROOM
The attendant sits in the small room,
which contains a single bed. The larger
room is Mrs. Lincoln's sitting and bed
room. 1t is very plainly furnished, the
same as it was prior to her coming; an or.