The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-05-04

Horrors Of a Mad House,
AN INSIDE PICTURE OF THE
GOVERNMENT ASYLUM.
The Brutal Treatment of Boy who
was made Crazy by Witnessing Lin
coins Assassination-His Mothers
Sad Recital.

WASHINGTON April 20-The Commit
tee on Expenditures in the Interior De-
partment this morning examined lady
Of the highest character residing in this
city, whose name is withheld at her per-
sonal request She testified that her son
became insane on the night President
Lincoln was assassinated, He was sit
ting in an orchestra chair when Booth
Jumped out of the box upon the stage,
and being acquainted with the assassin,
he called him by name. The next morn
ing morning he exhibited symptoms of
emotional insanity, and suffered from
complete nervous prostration. The symp-
toms continuing, the lady was advised to
place her son in charge of DIR. Nichols
Her son exhibited no signs of violence
whatever, and was mere boy, being but
twelve years old. She went to the asy-
lum, and one of the physicians showed
her very pleasant room, which was to
be fitted up for her sons occupancy. Ac-
cordingly she fitted him out with com
plete outfit of wearing apparel, and he
was taken to the asylum. Day after day
she visited the institution, often being
compelled to wait.an hour before she was
admitted to the reception room, never
was permitted to see the uperintendent,
DR.. Nichols, and was uniformly refused
permission to see her son, although he
was a pay patient Often she remained
from morning until nightin the reception
room, unable even to see an attending
physician, AID seeing no one but SER
want who vas washing up the floors. If
fortunate enough to secure an Interview
with phi ysician she was curtly told they
could not De bothered.
This continued for about eight weeks,
when, finding herself unable to see her
son, or learn about his condition, she de-
termined to remove him. Accordingly
in company with two prominent Govern
ment officials, she went to the asylum
and absolutely compelled the attending
physician to permit her to see her boy.
She found him in one of the basement
strong rooms. The room was dark, damp
and without fire. Her boy was grovel-
ling in corner of the cell, with no cloth
ing on him save the fragments of pair
ofarmy pantaloons and the half sleeve
less shirt. He at once recognized her,
although so emaciated she did not know
him, and running to her he exclaimed,
"Oh, ma ma do take me away from
this dreadful. place W She covered him
with her shawl and led him to the re-
ception room. Having brought some
clothing with her, the boy went behind
the door and removed the piece of shirt
he had on, and when the mother picked
it up. she found it literally covered with
vermin. She became very much excited,
cried and lamented, and in her excite
ment struck DR.. Eastman with her para
sol, The noise and confusion attracted
Dr. Nichols, who entered the room at
this moment and demanded to know
"What all this noise was about" This
was the first time the poor anguished
mother had seen him since the day other
sons incarceration, and picking up the
vermin Uttered shirt, she flung it into
his face, exclaiming, II want to cover
you with the same filth and vermln that
my child has been covered with" She
examined her boys back, and found the
flesh sore from being eaten into by lice.
The lady then took her son home, the
boy being overioyed at the idea of his
mother taking him away. Of the large
quantity of clothing she took him to the
institution, she recovered but one article,
and that was razor strop. The family
owned large st. Bernard dog that was
great favorite. He was very particular
about his food. 1t was the habit to boil
the meat he eat. This was in process of
cooking when the mother reached home
with her boy. Scenting the meat as he
entered the hall, he rushed into the kit
chen, and before he could be prevented,
had seized the pot and ravenously eat
the dogs dinner, declaring that he was
starving. His body was covered with
bruises, and one of his eyes was black
ened. This one of the servants tried to
explain by saying that he was not the
cause of it. When he went into the in
stitution he weighed about 130 pounds,
when he came out he weighed 80. He
exhibited no violence, and his mother
slept in the same room with him. 1t re-
uuired weeks and moEths of careful nurs-
ing to build up his system, and as his
bodily health improved his mental con-
dition improved also, and for seven years
he was perfectly sane. At the time Mrs;
Lincoln exhibited symptoms of mental
arrangement her son becaAe again af-
ftcted, and continued so for some time.
During the delivery of her testimony
the lady exhibited great feeling, and her
emotion strongly affected the gentlemen
of the committee.