The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-02-28
SUSAN DICKIE;S CASE.
A New York Heiress Confined by Her Reia-
ttves in an Insane Asylum for Six Years.
from the New York Commercial Adver
tisprf


A New York Heiress Confined by Her Reia-
tives in an Insane Asylum for Six Years.
From the New York Commercial -Adver-
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 as to the man
agement of one class of our public insti-
tutions, and the character and cOmpe-
tency of those placed at their head.
Some SIX years ago; maiden lady
named Susan Dickie, then aged thirty,
daughter of Patrick Dickie, retired
druggist, who died last autumn, was
consigned to the Bloomingdale Asylum
as lunatic, where she has been confn-
ed ever since. About four weeks ago a
Commission of Lunacy was ordered by
Judge Brady, of the Supreme Court, to
inquire into her case, and in accordance
Herewith she was brought before three
COmmissioners-Mr. VIM. G.. Trapha-
gen, DR.. Edward Bradley, and Mr.. VIM.
A. Seaver-and the first panel of the
Sheriff's jury, who, after testimony,
were to 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was originally made Each and all de-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 at 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 uns0undnesS.
This made the case of the brother and
sisters against Miss Dickie, and it was
supposed it would be conclusive. The
other side of the matter now began to
be developed, or rather to develop it
self. The Commissioners left the bench
and stepped to 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-
rassmenO, and permit her 10 testify in
her own behalf. At this time, be it re-
membered, she had no counsel. The
Commissioners Intercepted her on a
variety of subjects calculated to test her
memory. She was questioned as to her
childhood; her history, studies and
companions at school; her family; the
names and ages of her brother and sis
tiers; the location of several buildings
belonging to her father, and the value
of his estate; her early religious asso-
Citations and pastor; her occupation
- 70 ~ hn
Jury also Intercepted her, and 10 a |
great variety of questions, but impromp-
lu and without consultation, her an
swers were prompt, coherent, clear and
accurate. The case was then adjourned.
Judge Brady, on being informed of the
facts, at once acted on the suggestion
that the matter was one demanding
thorough investigation, and author
lied Mr.. L. L. Delafeld to act as her
counsel in the subsequent pro-
ceedings and look after her inter-
ests. Seven or eight sessions of the
commission followed. Mr.. Delafield
succeeded in finding several of Miss
Dickie's former schoOl-fellOws 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 to them the slightest in
dications of insanity. Meanwhile, Mr..
Delafield caused her mental powers to
be thoroughly tested by experts who
had made insanity a subject of special
study and investigation. According y
she was carefully and thoroughly ex-
ahmed by Doctors VIM. A. Hammond,
Meredith Clymer, and j. w. Ranney,
who united in testifying that Miss
Dickie was of perfectly sound mind,
and ought not to be confined in the
asylum another moment. In this con-
clusiOn the Commissioners and theJury
unanimously concurred, and verdict
to that effect was rendered on Saturday,
the 9th inst. The only wonder is that
constant confinement and association
for sixyears had not long ago utterly shat
tered her intellect and made her a raw
ing maniac. Miss Dickie, by her fathers
will, is entitled to One-siXth of the income
of his estate, valued at S9OO,UOO. The
property now produces net revenue of
about S42 1000, so that her income will
be between $1,000 and $4,000 per an
mum. uc IcSuIuy o'ihCN lldo uliON PCSN-
ed, of this investigation, shows how i'm
portant it is that proceedings taken to
declare persons lunatics, to incarcerate
them in asylums with the intent TO 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 Jury, have
restored to her the priceless boon of
liberty. For six years she has been for
the most part solitary little woman,
the occupant of little room among i'm
beetles, idiots and maniacs. To-day
she comes out to enjoy all the pleasures
of reunion with old friends and the prac-
teal and pleasant consultations obtaina-
HE with 81 900 q year