The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-03-08

a New YORK Heiress Confined ny Her Rela-
tives In an Insane Asylum for six Years.
From the New York Commercial. Adxer.

iffvW inc NV ioih aouiihtfclhi Autcr-
tiser-l
Within the last week an event has oc-
Cured before legal tribunal in this
city that should arrest the public atten-
ton, and awaken inquiry a. 10 the man
agement Of one class of our public insti-
tutions, and the character aud compe-
tency Of those placed at their head.
Some six years ago, maiden lady
named Susan Dickie, then aged thirty,
daughter Of Patrick Dickic, retired
druggist, who died last autumn, was
consigned 10 the Bloomingdale Asylum
as d unatic, where she has been coniin-
ed ever since. About four weeks ago a
Commission Of Lunacy was ordered by
Judge Brady, Of the Supreme Court, 10
inquire into her case, andin accordance
Herewith she was brought before three
Commissioners Mr.. WIN. g. Trapha-
gen, DIR. Edward Bradley, and Mr. VIM.
A. Seaver-and the first panel Of the
Sheriff's Jury, who, after testimony,
were 10 decide as To her present sanity
or Insanity. To establish her insanity
came her brother and sisters, the ply
stefan, assistant physician, and matron
of the asylum, and the two physicians
upon whose certificate her commitment
was originally made. Each and all de-
posed to her insanity al the time of com
mitment; that she had so continued to
the present time, and that there was no
prospect Of her recovery. Two other
prominent physicians of this city, who
visited the asylum since these
proceedings were instituted also
testified to her mental unsoundness.
This made the case of the brother and
sisters against Miss Dickie. and il was
supposed 1t would be conclusive. The
other side of the matter now began 70
be developed, or rather to develop IL
self. The Commissioners left the bench
and stepped 10 the side Of the court room
where Miss Dickie sat, and after some
private conversation with her, resolved
to place her on the stand Ito which she
manifested neither reluctance or embar-
rassment), and permit her 10 testify in
her own behalf. AL this time, be il re-
membered, she had no counsel. The
Commissioners intcrrogated her ona
variety Of subjects calculated TO test her
memory. She was questioned as 70 her
chidhood; her history, studies and
companions al school; her family; the
names and ages Of her brother and sis
tiers; the location Of several buildings
belonging 10 her father, and the value
Of his estate; her early religious asso-
Citations and pastor; her occupation
later in life, etc, ETC. Several Of the
jury also Intercepted her, and toa
great variety of questions, but impromp-
IN and without consultation, her an
swsrs were prompt, coherent, clear and
accurate. The case was then adjourned.
Judge Brady, On being informed Of the
facts, AZ once acted on the suggestion
that the matter was one demanding
thorough investigation, and author
lied Mr.. L. l.. Delatield to act rs her
counsel in the subsequent pro-
ceedings and look after her inter
ests. Seven or eight sessions Of the
commission followed. Mr.. Delaficld
succeeded in finding several Of Miss
Dickie's former school-iellows and fe-
male acquaintance, who testified in the
most unqualified manner that from
childhood TO the present they had had
frequent intercourse with her, and that
she never gave 70 them the slightest in-
dicationS Of insanity Meanwhile. MIR.
Delatield caused her mental powers TO
be thoroughly tested by experts who
had made insanity subject Of special
study and investigation. Accordingly
she was carefully and thoroughly ex-
ahmed bv Doctors VIM. A. Hammond,
Meredith Clymer, and j w. Ranney,
who united in testifyng that Miss
Dickic was Of perfectly sound mind,
and ought not 10 be confined in the
ASYLUM another moment. In this con
clusion the Commissioners and the Jury
"A fsf
10 that effect was rendered on Saturday.
the 9th inst The only wonde il that
constant confinement and ass aviation
for six years had notlongago utterly shat
tered her intellect and made her raw
ing maniac. Miss Dickie, by her fathers
will. j. entitled to one-sixth ~ the income
Of his estate, valued AZ ssuu.uoO The
property now produces net revenue OF
about 81, 900. 50 that her income will
be between 81 go and $4,000 per an
num- The result, somewhat unexpect-
ed, Of this investigation, shows how inn
portant il Is that proceedings taken to
declare persons lunatics, 10 incarcerate
them in asylums with the intent 10 keep
them there witOut possibility Of escape,
and sometimes for the most iniquitous
purposes, should be subjected to very
searching investigation, and the rights
OF these poor creatures carefully and
conscientiously looked after. The ACCT
dental interest inspired in her behalf by
few persons who knew nothing Of her
history. and the verdict Of n jury, have
restored to her the priceless boon d
liberty. For xix years she has been for
the most part a solitary little woman,
the occupant Of little room among i'm
beetles. idiots and maniacs To-day
4 l, y,,,,,s ,,,,t ", cn;ay III Tho Meas lirps