The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-10-11
The Case Of DR.. HelmbOld.

DR.. Helmbold, the once famous buchu
man, escaped from the insane asylum at
Philadelphia to New York, where old
friends took him in charge, under the
belief that he WAS not insane. "The
first idea that the public should have OF
this affair."" said Judge Curtiss, his
counsel, to Sun reporter, sis that DR..
Helmbold has been kept in a madhouse
that somebody else might enjoy his es-
tate. About five years ago he was doing
very large drug and chemical business.
he encountered financial embarrass-
ments, and went to Europe with his
family, returning in 1875. He wished
to resume charge Of his own business,
but was put eff with a fair speech about
his health. Thirty-six hours afterward,
in Philadelphia, he was arrested, accused
of being drunk and disorderly. Instead
of being given hearing before magis-
trate, he was taken to the Kirkbridge
asylum for the insane, the authority be-
ing two physicians certificates that he
was insane. One was young physician,
scarcely graduated, and the other had
never seen DR.. Helmbold. They were
paid generous fees. Friends freed DR..
Helmbold with writ Of habeas corpus.
He went to Long Branch, but was re-
captured and taken back to the Kirk
bridge asylum. Then his wife procured
his release. legally. he came to New
York, fearing to remain in Philadelphia,
but he was arrested here as lunatic
and committed to the Blooming dale
asylum. He tried to recover bis free
dom by appealing to the supreme court,
but that tribunal held that, as the COM
mitment was regular, it could not 90 be-
hind it."
II had no counsel" interpcsed DR..
Helmbold, who had all along aided
Judge Curtiss' memory, "to urge my
cause"
ga short time after this Intellectual ef-
fort to regain liberty" resumed Mr..
Curtiss, "the superintendent of the
Bloomingdale asylum, DR.. Brown, one
of the foremost authorities in the world,
and the directors united in giving DR..
Helmbold certificate of perfect sanity,
and discharged him. He went to Phila-
delphia to join his family, and was ar
rested on the original certificate of the
two Philadelphia physicians, and taken
back to the Kirkbridge asylum. Coun.
sci got him before Judge Briggs on q
writ of habeas corpus. His honor said
that, although individually satisfied Of
the sanity Of DR.. Helmbold, he would
not take the responsibility of discharg-
ing him, but would send him before
jury. From the jury, We claim, a YER
dict was irregularly secured DR.. Helm
bold was imprisoned in the Krkbridge
asylum. In July last he escaped, and
went to Long Branch, where he was
seized, beaten, gagged and dragged
several hundred yards to a conveyance. I"
"Here are the marks Of their rufianly
treatment" said DR.. Helmbold, showing
the little finger Of his right hand,
SCARED, misshapen, and a deep, ivid
cicatrice below his left elbow. =
CDR. Helmbold," continued Judge
Ourtiss, "was again immured in the
Kirkbridge asylum. He made his es-
cape and came here. he proposes to
live here, and begin at once legal pro-
ceedlngs to get possession OF his prop
erty. He cannot be taken back to the
asylum, in my opinion, by process Of
law, and he shall not be by force. His
friends here intend to guard him well. I"
"My BROTHER" said DR.. Helmbo)d,
"knows that am as sane as any man
that walks. I have certificates OF my
sanity from eminent physicians of New
York city, and can produce before any
court the evidence of those who knew
me almost throughout my business ca
reer. confess that I have been eccen-
trio; I am Of lively temperament. If
had not been, could I have built up so
quickly great trade 2 I was barbarous-
" treated in the Krkbridge asylum.
They used me even as an advertisement.
The intention is to keep me in private
madhouse until become mad indeed" /"