The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-21
HORRORS OF A MAD HOUSE.
IN INSIDE PTCTURE or THE cor
ERNWENT 1SILUH
The brutal Treatment of n Roy who was
Made Crnzy by Witnessing Lincoln's
Assassination His Mothers sad Recital.

The brutal Treatment of Roy who was
Made Crnzy by Witnessing Iincoin's
Assassination Ills Mothers sud Recital.
WAsniNGToN, April 2O-1hc Committee
on EXpcnditures In the Interior Department
examined this morning n lady residing in this
city of the highest character, whosc name IL
Withheld at her personal request. She testified
that her son became insane on the night Tre-i-
dent Lincoln was assassinated. H. was sitting
In au orchestra chair when Booth jumped out OF
the box upon the stage, and being acquainted
with the assassin, he called him by name. Tho
noxt morning he exhibited symptoms Of emo
uonal insanity, and suffered from complete uer-
vous prostration. Tho symptoms continuing,
the lady was advised to place her son In charge
OF DR.. Nichols Her son exhibited no signs Of vio
lerce whatever and was nero boy, being about
welve years Of age. She went to the asylum,
md one Of the physicians showed her very
pleasant room. which was to be fitted up for her
sons occupancy. Accordingly sho fitted him
out with a complete outfit OF wearing apparel.
and he was taken TO the asylum. Day after day
she visited the Institution, often being com
PEELED TO wait an hour before she wa admitted
tn the reception room, never was permitted to
see the Superintendent. Dr. Nichols and was
uniformly refused permission to SEQ her son.
although he was pay patient. Often she re-
ton room, unable to see even an attending ply
stefan. and seeing no one but servant who was
secure an interview with physlcian she was
CURLY told that they could not 6e bothered.
This continued for about eight weeks, when,
finding herself unable to sec her sDn, or learn
about his condition, she determined 70 remove
MIN: Accordingly IL company with two promi-
nent Government officials, she went to the asy-
luiu, aud absolutely compelled the attending
physician TO permit her to see her boy. sho
found him In one ol the basement strong rooms.
The room was dark, damp, and without Are.
Her boy was gruvelling in corner OF tho
cell. with no clothing on him save the
fragments of pair OF army pantn-
looms and the half Of a sleeveless shirt.
lie NJ once recognized her, although so enla-
ciated she did not know him, and running to
her he exclaimed, "On, NAL mai do take me
away from this dreadful ulacel'' she covered
him with ner shawl and led him 60 the recep.
ton 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 II up she found IL literally COW
cred with yermln. She became very much ex-
cited. cried and lamented. and la her excite
meut stru DR.. Eastman with her parasol. Tho
noise and confusion attracted DIR. Nichols, who
entered the room az this moment and demanded
To- know What all this noise was about. ms
was the first time tho poor anguished mother
had seen nun since the dHy or her son lucM.
ceration, ana picking up tue vermin uttered
shirt, she flung II into his face, cxclaiming, "
want t. cover you with the same alta and YER
min 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 tal<ing
tim away. OF the large quantity OF clothing she
had provided for the boy when she took him TO
the institution, she recovered tut one article,
and that " " q razor strop. The farnily owned "A
| large It. Bernard dog that great favorite.
| lie war very particular about his food. Ii was
the habit to boil tue meat he devoured. hts
IN process Of cooking when the
/ mother reached home with her boy Seeming
4 the meat rs he entered the hail. he rushed into
| the kitchen. ana beforc ne could be prevented
| had seized TIA pot ana ravenOusly davOured toe
| dogs dinner declaring that he was starving.
| HIS body covered with Druise-. ami one Of
! his eyes wds blackened. THIS one Of the attend
! ants tried 70 explain 10y sayins that ho was not
| the one that caused It. When he went into the
| institution he weighed about 10 pounds When
| he came out he weighen ninety Ave. He oxhib-
| tied no violence, and his mother slept In the
same room with hlm. 1t required weeks and
| months Of careful nursing to build no his sys-
ten. and his bodily health improved his
mental condition improved also. and for seven
| years be perfectly zane. At the time Nrs.
| Lincoln exhibited symptoms OF mental derauge-
meut, her son became again affected, and con-
tinued so for some time.
| Duu1g the delivery Of her testimony the lady
exhibited greet feeling, and her emotion strong
| ~ affected the gentlemen OF the committee.