The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-07-08
ROBERT DALE OWENS INSANITY

ROBERT DALE OWENS INSANITY.
HIS RESIDENCE AT A NEW YORK WATER CURE
Liz KATIE KING BUsINEss-A LETTER
FROM DANSvILLE-PIRsT SYMPTOMS or
WANDERING REAsoN-THE CAUSE
In connection with the Disclosure NJ the
sad fact that Robert Dale Owen had bacoua
insane, the following from the New York
evening Post will prove of interest: Mr..
robert Dale Ovens many friends in this
city are aware that he went a few weeks AGO
70 a wster-eure, called the Home on the
hillside, a. Dansville, in Western New
YORK, where he put himself under the charge
Oh the superintendent, DR.. Jsmes c. Jack
SOD ior purely physical ailments which
mad been troubling him tor
Two or three years past and mani
1esCeu themselves chiefly by indigestion.
Iney VIII be startled by letter which sp--
10 tne Rochester Express last even
ing, anc announces that he las heen taken
10 ms nome IN Indiana as insane We are
reluctant to believe that the differences of
no writer are correct as to the cause of Mr.
Umens mental disturbance, il the alleqs-
lions OF insanity are indeed we'll bonded
we nave conversed with him personally.
WITHIN few weeks, concerning the "Katv
Ming business" and the imposture which
was prsrticed on him with regard to il. and
no one possibly could have tslked with
sfeaeI simplicity and candor of the error
OF another, than he OF his own deficient on
servation in his experiments In PhilsdeInhia
anu OF MS earnest desire to correct the inn
preston OF She authenticity OF the katie
Nina" manifestation, so far as he had been,
ste &c. esuse OF It's acceptance by anybody. But
at the same time he earnestly avowed that
his faith in the doctrines OF spiritualism was
not impaired by his own error Nor was mis-
soH-uepreclstlon excessive. IL was frank
uut moderate and reasonable and was con-
slstens with the devout tenor OF his charac-
ter. With these few words we print
THE LETTER.,
which bears date at Dsnsville, June 30: mFor
some time past Danville has been the stop-
ping place of a distinguished visitor. Rob
ert Dale Owen, the well known writer and
spirltualist. He came here hoping. bv free
oom nom care ana trouble, to recuperate
ana repair his shattered energies. and To
enable him to continue his literary labors.
Occupying his time mainly with recreation.
ior time nothing unusual was observed in
MS conduct, add he was pointed out as a
rstner eccentric old gentleman. An upholder
OF spirltualism and writer of ac-
knowledged merit, his society was souoht
after and his conversations were coberent
ana instructive. Invitations 70 lecture were
accepted, and some of vour
reaoers Will no doubt remember the lecture
on "Splrltualism" delivered by him not
long since IN your city. II any one ct that
Lille considered him insane they failed to
gave others the benefit of their Judgment.
Durlng the past week, however his eccen-
erlci1les increased to such an alarming ex-
cent tnst 1t became painfully evident to
Inose that knew him that the great mind of
ROBERT Dale Owen had lost its reason.
,ase at the grounds OF the
Dansyllle Driving Park Associs-
ZION were clearly those of an insane per-
SON. Driving furiously among a crowd of
car flsges, accosting strangers and gesticu-
lating violently. he was source of annoy-
ance to his friends and of surprise 10
strangers. His SON was telegrapbed for
He resched here Sunday
night, and on Tuesday morning started
,or MS home in Indiana with Mr.. Owen.
M. owen Is man over seventy years of
age, apparently strong and healthy, being
specially active for man of his wears.
As 70 The immediate cause of his insanity
we can only conjecture His life has been
'ne OF toll, and any one who has read
HIS CHAPTERS OF AUTOBIOGRAPHY
published from time to time in the Atlantic
Monthly, though they are remarkably free
rom offensive individuality and egotism,
VIII plainly see that his life has not been
void of results. On him as supporter of
'pirtualism, the severest structures have
been placed, and there seems something of
in the report now current that
The loss of faith in his religion consequent
lpon the Katie King expose was the inn.
iieolaIe cause OF his insanity; and this.
neory is supported by facts from his life.
Prior to his embracing spiritualistic doctrine
40 was an atheist, and, sas every atheist
pust, became dissatisfied with himself and
Ills position. AS relief from this unfor-
innate condition. he fell into a belief in
'piritualism and it's doctrines-his whole
mind and soul became enerossed. To-
yether with Judge Edmonds be has for years
1een pointed out as the great decider of
plrltuallsm in this country. Though his
position was often assaulted, yet he defended
us cause nobly, and to the time of Katie
King had answered every objection in
nanner satisfactory 80 himself, if not to
ne great mass OF the reading public; and
Ills success may be judged of by the late
apid increase of Spiritualism in this coun-.
~. But his unfortunate statements were.
lot so easily explained, and it was perfectly
pparent that his own explanations never.
atlsned himself; he tried in vain, and could,
ee no way out of bis difficulty. Robert.
)ale owen was man who believed in
easonlng, and what he could explain to his.
wn satisfaction by reasoning that he be-
eved IN implicitly and it lie fair to suppose.
hat 1t was great blow which caused him to
ose faith in the belief which he has so long
nd faithfully advocated and dsfended, and
'as thereby chiefly instrumental in de-
nronlng reason in his great mind but how
yer that may be, and whatever may have
cen his religious belief, the world Will lose
l him strong mind, an able reasoner, and
ne purest writer of the Epglish language.
bieh she has seen for years."
A party of rough miners near White,
inc, away cut West, played rather severe
Ike upon green hand, one Perley, and
ad afterward occasion to regret their fan.