The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-24
n LERGTMiN'S INSfNITr.
For the Eighth Time IN the Bloomingdale
Asylum for the Insane.


John James Thompson of Orange coun-
ty, \. Y, graduated in Princeton College In 1850
aud Immediately entered upon his studies pre-
paratory to Joining the ministry OF the Freshly
terrain Church. He was comparatively rich. and
in order o. qualify himself he made an extended
trip To Lurope. lie returned in 1861. and was
ordained n mister OF the Presbyterian Church.
Instead OF taking church. however. he chose
the work OF an evangelist, which he prosecuted
up to le'it. lie was. IL is stated, an extremist.
ana on IN NV occds uns was brought to task for
his radical Interpretation Of the Scriptures. He
attended PRAYER meetings and sun lay school
gatherings regularly and frequently preached
from the pulpit Of Preshy terian churches. not
only In the city but throughout the state. This
continued up to l>i4, when he got married, BAT.
to the surprise and astonshmeut Of all. the dan
OF the nuptlals. without bidding guod-hy to his
tride. he started Tor this city anu took pas
sage for Liverpool. On returning he located
himself In Gosnen, Y. Y, where he studied law
took out his degree. and IN time cultivated a
good practice. Here. for the first time. It be-
came manifest that there was something wrong
with him. lie would absent himself from his
business for days and weeks without assigning
any cause, until ultimately he was compelled 10
abandon his profession.
fumily troubles foil wed. which 80 proved on
MS NINA a. - entirely incauicitate MIA for
business In lSi5 he returned To- New York and
although he hAd 20 all appearance severed hun
self from the ministry, he wrote a letter to the
synod, stating that IA consequence Of feeble
Lee tn he i-lt unable 60 labor - minister anv
longer. Yet he sttll adhered to the prefix " Rev d"
In the latter part OF lis he agnn returned TO
his eVan-elistcal libors, aud became. n possible
ST. more vehement IA mis- dealing. uith scrtn-
tural rk-, Until II was found necessary to
Withdraw all authority from him. inis blow
seemed To- nave It's crushing influence. for he at
once became sdujcct to periodical ITS of in
SANITY.
At first these n's were Hight, aud were pre-
coded by premunitury symptoms, 90 that ne has
been known. when outside of his family circle.
20 prepare for thOm by dive-ting himself OF all
hi- NtiuAol"s preparatory TO tue attacks. Late
~, however the ITS nave become more frequent
and sudden, without any flrcshadowinrIindh lac
ga, often wandered from his hone aud remain
cd away uniil con -cipusucrs returned. lie has
been AN inmate Of the bl0ymingdalc Llnitic
Asylum ~ less than seven times, ou tNo Occa-
sioas presenting himself voluntarily for udmi.-
sion. For some months past he appeared more
rational, and spent nearly all bis time iu attend
ing prayer meeting, and distributing Tracts for
the American Tract S1rety. uurXgcctedly,
however, he was charged by Young lady in
whp-e house he has lately resided IN tais city,
win att mptins criminal assault upon her on
"wednesday nig q last, ana for which he was
held IN SltOl uallln police court. Subsequent
~, at the iut-rce~-iin of lhomp-on's friends
the young lady Withdrew the charge. and a com
mission Of luuacy, consisting OF Drs. Zero ne
smith and Ell,N Elliott, Of East Thirty
ninth street, WAS appointed to inquire into his
mental condition. They pronounced him hope
lcssly insane, and on appearing before Judge
D1unhue, ms friends Ootltned the necessary
certlucd'e OF in-anitv.sD that the unfortunate
man IS once more ana for the eighth time an oc-
cupant OF the Bloc iugdale Asylum.