The New York herald., 1878-12-15
UNFORTUNATE LOUISA BLENDER.

FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT HER LoDGMENT IN
THE INSANE ASYLUM AT NEwARK-sAvED
FROM SUICIDE A VISIT TO THE ASYLUM.
In order to fully clear up the mystery surrounding
the incarceration of Mrs. Louisa Blender-a woman
declared by several county officials to be perfectly
sanein the Essex County a. J.) Insane Asylum last
Wednesday night, HERALD reporter yesterday after
noon visited the asylum which is located on Camden
street. on the outskirts of Newark.
STATEMENT WARDEN LEONARD.
Major Leonard, the Warden of the asylum, made
the following statementI was true that the woman
was brought there on Wednesday night. about half
past ten O'Clock, by special officer named John
voss In whose house. at No 226 Camden
street, the Blenders lived. He had no papers.
but said that he had found the woman
about to destroy her child and herself She was
about jumping in the canal. The unfortunate woman
was then high state of excitement. and had every
appearance of being insane She talked rather
jabbered like wild woman. first in German
and then in broken English. They were having
one of their periodical entertainments at
the asylum for the amusement of the inmates that
night, and Drs. Whittingham and Sultphen, members
Of the Board of Freehoders and OF the Lunacy Com
mission, happened to be present. Their attention
was called to the case and in the OF humanity
they fit to overstep the technical bounds of the
law and ordered that she be admitted. She then
taken to the bathroom and cleaned. The next day
the papers found in possession Of her husband.
taken charge OF by the Warden, and Mrs. Blender il
now there according to law. Her child was taken
charge OF by John Voss
WHAT DOCTORS FAY.
Drs. Whittngham and Smith found at the
asylum by the reporter. The former very indg-
nant ut the assertions made by Messrs. Robothanl,
Lehman and Poinier to the effect that the woman
perfectly sane when physicians had certified to
the contrary. He would say that ii the woman was
not insane then there insane persons in the
place. for the story that Mrs. Leonard the matron.
had told the examiners" that Mrs. Blender was
sane the Doctor denounced II as . falsehood. What
had been done would be done again under similar
circumstances. 1t in the interest OF common hu-
manity and, 1t turns out, In accordance with the
law Mrs. Bender would be kept in the asylum until
she was pronounced nt to be discharged suitable
persons turned up to take charge of her.
DIR. smith said he glad the HERALD had shown
such desire to set the truth before the public.
MRS. BLENDrR VISITED.
The reporter was next escorted by Major Leonard
to the woman's ward where. among group of in
sane females, Mrs. Blendcr found. Although
slovenly dressed in cheap calico wrapper, and her
hair cut short and unkenipt she still retains traces of
her former prepossessing looks When first spoken
to she rocked herself necessarily and talked
with great volubility in broken English.
softly and wrote her name and address
readily in the reporters note book using the German
style Of caligraphy She had reganed her clear
ness Of mental vision, and her face assumed look
Of pure womanly gentleness soft sweet and winning
Altogether her conduct and conversation were that of
u woman undoubtedly disoriered mentally. 1t IL
believed that with good treatment nutritious food and
proper rest she will be fully restored TO her normal
state OF mind