Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-06-29
FIRST EDITION.
The McConnughcy case.


FURTHER PARTIcuLARs-FAM HISTORY AND PRE-
sENr TRouBLEs--TuEIR oRIoIN DEVELOPMENT
AND PRESENT srATE-MENTAL WEAKNESS HERE
DtrABy IN THE FAMILY BusINfss RELATIONS
BETWEEN THE BRUTHEhe, Nc.
The additional interest which the conveyance,
yesterday, to Kirkbride's Asylum of Thomas and
Jonathan McConaughey created has led Com
MsRciAL reporter to make further inquiry into
the case that the public may be fully and ac-
curately informed upon t. With this object in
view. he called, this morning, upon gentleman
who haa been intimate in the family for many
years, and is thoroughly familiar with the whole
case.
The McConaughey family, we arc informed orr
ginally came from Chester county, the father Of
the present family at Newark William McCon
aughey, marrying daughter of Jonathan Bee,
of Welsh Tract. In 1919 Mr.. McConaughey died
During his lifetime his mind was weak, and
HE WAS SUBJECT TO vAoARIEs
which were the offshoot of this weakness
though no was not strictly o lunatic. His
father before him, it is aso stated
was in similar condition. Previous to his
death, William McConaughey had purchased 400
acres near Newark, upon which he erected build
ings and built large saw mill, but the whols
tate was 80 heavily encountered as to be value.
less. Jonathan Bee, however, furnished the
ready money to prevent sale, and under his di-
recton David and Jonathan McConaughey, the
eldest SONS, conducted the business. About
1916 tho estate WAS appraised for division, An
drew Kerr. Peter Springer and John A. Roy
nolds, being of tho appraisers. About one-half
THE INDEBTEDNESS HAD BEEN PAID
by this time, and tho sale OF 200 acres, with the
saw-mll, ut their appraised value would lift the
incumbrance from the other half. Acting un.
der the advice OF their grandfather, David and
Jonathan bought these 200 acres and continued
inlbusiness until about 1854, when they went down
into Sussex county, and bought somo 500 or 600
acres there and built another saw mill. This
mill Jonathan took charge of while David re-
manned at home.
In 1860 David McConaughey ceased farming
and rented his land to his brother Thomas, while
he himself took to drink. In 1862 he drank
very hard. He WAS still, however, in his right
miud, but fearing the influence of certain par
ties he made proposition to his brothers
Thomas and William to
CONVEY THE LAND TO THEM
without the payment OF any money, they obliga-
ting to keep up the interest a.rced upCn, b per
cent. The proposition was - tied, lii" prop
erty secured by liens, which ato on record at
New Castle. A year later David also convened
his share in the property III Sussex to his broth
er Jonathan on the same terms. III 1868 David
moved into Newark living at the ls,spending
his money freely among the crowd which it gath
cred about him until bis mind showed signs OF
disease. Then it was in 1864 that Jonathan Me-
Conaughey aud friend weut to Philadelphia
and made arrangements for the admission OF
David into Kirkbrdes. He was raviDg, crazy.
and our informant says lie at that time saw Day
id McConsughey stand up to bar and beat his
hands upon it until they would swell to twice
their usual size. He remained at Kirkbride d
about two months, when lie
EscAPaD OVER THE WALL
aud returned to his home near Newark, where
he remained one week and then voluntarily
asked Jno. A. Reynolds to take him back to the
Asylum. This time he remained until the latter
part of 1867, when being quiet and Ills system
pretty thoroughly cleaused he was brought homo
TO the farm, staying there until the latter pant
of 1868, when he again took to drink and wan
returned to Kirkbride's in 1863, 20 broken down
iu mind that for days at time he would not talk
and refused food.
In 1873 William McConaughey went up to Phil
adelphia and conveyed his brother back to bs
home, where by kind treatment he was induced
out of his state OF melancholy and his mind be-
came clear once more. Finally, however,
DAVID RETURNED TO MS cups,
and in short time became more violent than
ever and was even wicked in his demonstrations.
He even threatened to kill his mother and him
self to save them from the poverty which
he imagined was impending. In this
condition he was admitted to the New CAS-
tie county almshouse on the 18th OF October,
1878, and escaped on February, l7th, 1874, by
jumping the wall. lie then came into Whining
ton, anu renLlnR HOllrB tu mug rtloeI logan
house keeping with Mrs. Marvel, formerly OF
Newark. After time he broke up and went
back home again whore he began to make trouble
in tho family in various ways. His brothers were
oven compelled to settle their interest account
weekly At one time he went out to tho iron
pts armed with an axe, and undertook to drive
all tho workmen away, and did create consider,
able trouble until Thomas jumped III tho pit and
took the axe away from him. 1T was those trou-
bles which led to the
APPLICATION FOR THE WRIT OF LuNAcY,
the result of which we have already reported,
with the trial.
Immediately upon his release, David went
home and renewed his threats and violence
about the premises. He also abused Dr. Low
her who gave the first certificate OF mnacy, ana
Alexander Wilson, of Pencader hundred, was an
object OF his wrath for his admission INTO the
almshouse until Mr. Wilson knocked him down
with a hammer Jno. W. Evans, of Newark
was also upbraided until he invoked the AID OF
the Town Commissioners and David was given
the choice of keeping tue peace or quitting Tie
town. Since this time he has been more pacinc'
As a result of this severe mental etraln,
THE rwo BROTHERS BECAME INSANE.
| A sister Sarah, for six months past, has beer
confined in her room at home in tlt OF lunacy
proceeding from tho same cause The diseased
condition of Thomas mind was hrst .notlceu OF
| Wednesday last. which kept him away from the
| trial and thus, 1t is alleged, prevented the ver
| dict of insanity Whlcn WAS eApeoteu, 10 pe.i-s
more familiar with David's condition than any
one else in the family. Jonathan McConsnlghey
broke down on Friday. He is violent and yes
| teIday morning knocked over Joel woodward
who was assisting to prepare him for removal tl
| tbe asylum. Thomas mind runs in religious
channels. lie prays and says he wants to con
| fess. but his confessions arc all abont his sins
| and the sins of tue world. ,-
On SUNDAY last, all three OF the brothers were
| at home, and 20 noisy and violent did they DC
| come that
THE SEIouBoRs HAD TO ~ ALlkD -
tn keep order Some 25 or 80 o -hem remained
through tho night Thomas wa perfestiy @ ooo
| dient 10 Jonathan, and whatever he woulu com
| mand was done. If it WAS Jonathan uesii'
| that any one should be put ont OF the room
| had to be accomplished At one time Davld ap
| neared upon the scene and counseled Jonathan
not to take any more medicine, saying IL woui'
XIII him. Jonathan pronounced TINS tne nos
| aensible remark ever made BY his prother, en-
Thomas was ordered to take no more Oh th'
ustuff." He was obeyed. Thus they went OF
all through tho day, IN manner palhiui aii'
horrifyng to tho whole family. ,.a
| David McCenaughey is about Oh years OF ase
Jonathan AZ, and Thomas 80. The Two latter ar'
me,nbers of the Baptist church, prominent an.
highly respected citizens lii their community
and n deep sympathy is felt not only Tor tnel
INF their families. They are both married
.Jonathan's family is at present on WISH u
Newark. and le himself was OIL WISH thef
| ,,,I,o,, ha Loaf hs mind,