The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-10
CONFINED WITH LUNATICS.
4 SINE YOUNG WOMiN IMPRISONED
SEJEN IEIRS ~ IN ASYLUM.
Terrible Revelations made by witnesses be-
fore ~ shcrin-s JUry-uer Brothcrs and
Sisters Interested In her Large E.tate.


Miss Susan Dickie, whose alleged insanity
has been the subject of inquiry ty three COM
miss'oners and a Sherifr's Jury since the 9th Of
last December was yesterday declared to be of
sound mind and to have not been insane. al
though she has been confined in nm asylum for
over seven years. The case presents some cx-
traordinary features. II appears from the evil
dencc and papers in the case that the present
proceedings de hndiico inqiirendo were insti-
tutcd by the brothers and sisters of this lady,
Mrs. Emma d. Van Week. Scryina ID. Turrel
Helen ID, Adams. T.. I. Dickie. and Horace Dickie
more particularly the ilrst-named sister. Judge
Donohuc appointed Messrs. Wm. c. Trap
hagen. Edward Bradley and VIM. A. Scaver as
commissioners. The commissioners and
Shcrr's jury. after several meetings had boon
held. were satisfied that wrong was being at
tempted against the young woman and upon
their suggestion Judge Donohue appointed
Mr.. Lewis l.. Dclnlleld 10 look after her inter-
ests. 1t was found that Miss Dckie had been
confined in Bloomingdalc Asylum since Scpiem-
ber. 1871 that while there she had refused to
associate with the lunatics and was in all re-
spects like sane woman and through her
whole previous lie she was proved t. have been
sane. Many oi her schcomacs testified that
while ut school she was bright and sensible;
had no difficulty with other girls. ant WIS
proficient in her studies. espcc ally In French
ana music. Shc KEPT house Tor her lhlh'r NW'r
she grew up WIS devoted IN religious
matters. liberal in charitable enterprises.
and constant attendant upon the services. n
the church of which size was member Her
sisters always di~ked her, all agreeing in That
though they uuarrrllcd with one another about
almost everything else. One oi her sisters rer-
suadcd her 10 leave her fathers house in 1871
under the promise that she would have much
gaycr time living with her. Miss Dlcsie con-
suited with friends. who advised her not TO 40
She went. however. and after having been th"re
about ten days. though she had not exhibited
symptoms OF insanity or manii"sted ANY men.
DR., William Haniord White. who WIS the sis
trrs fried and medical tiNiser. who gave u Ger
iicair. upon viii she WAS taken 10 Blooming
dale ASYLUM.
Or. White testified that he had not treated
Susan. had not spoken to hcr. AMI md only
seen her IN passing through the rooms oi III.
house when attending her father lie examined
her. however. for "A few inmates. and then
signed the ceriiil ate ttni she was insane. lie
didn't know the day ur IN" year when the ctr-
tihcair was made; aud refused to s3y wAa' he
which other people have been confined under
similar cir 'umstanrts.
Dr-. Hammond. Clymcr, and hanncy testified
before the jury that Miss Dckle wns perfectly
sane. and able 10 take ear" OF her person uitl
property. Dr.. Peters and Packard testified that
delus.ons hut ON cro.s-cNnm nation II ap-
prarsd that they were not experts and not even
sanity. Letters written hv'Slrah through "a Pc
riod OF many years many OF them wriYen IN
the asylum. were put IN evidence. and their
and coherent and showed % high eradc Of cnl,
ture and Intelligence. Many OF her school
friends had vis.trd her in the asylum. and test-
He'd that while TIA 'rc her roniU Z ana appear
anro had always been tnat OF u perfectly sane
ON tile other side. her family testified that she
WAS insane and that the asylum WIS the only
place IA which she was III 10 live Ii appeared
from the cyidenr" that in case she was ndiudged
"a lunGtic her brothers and sisters woull ct
about s2OO,OOo more on, 9t her iathers estate.
nasmurh as she would be unable 10 MAX. a
will tisposing Of her share. and they would re-
ceiye all the accumul"tions.
nrR snsTn dSsrns ,hn, n'r9 M bEe ' ie' Is Ho, 'Rs a
nntlc and that she H. capable nt the government
Of herself and the managrmrni of her property
that she wa- Of sound mind during AN thr TIM.
and that that usylum Is not. ana ha, not been
suitable dwelling place Tor her, and thnt she
move therefr"m. Tho uiry find NM
all her brothers and sisters approved ~,
and some Of them were Instrumental
n the confinement Of their sister In the asy um.
sound mind aud capable OF managing here's
tate II seems, IN consideration uf her long
confinement ana compulsory wthdrhWal rom
the affairs OF the word Il is possible that she
may have lost some Of the power OF resistance.
and may not at fr-, be fully abl" to protect nor.
self against imposture or the machinationS ~
ill-advised persons that. under other cir"um-
stances, the jurors suggest that the Court
should nominate and appoint some suitable
and COMPETENT person to watch over III" inter-
ests OF sad Susan. assist aud advise her in the
employment OF suitable agents Tor IN" manage
her income and, in ease Of necss ", report 10
the Court. In order that such further prerau-
tiOnary measures may bc taken If clrcuni-
stances should show them 10 b' Required. The
jury say in conclusion. thatth" evidence cenrly
establishes that no one OF the brothers or sisters
OF Miss Dicke IS proper person 10 be so nom
mated.
Patrick Dickie. Susan's father. died on the
l6tn Of last November. leaving property worth
nearly 81 900 600. He gave Susan the income
Of over $l5O,OuO. the principal to 20 Ia her chill
dren or. in default Of children. to her brothers
hes Di
very old was an imbecile for some years before
his death.