Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-02
ANOTHER OUTRAGE
The Brutal Belts Drags a Sane Man
to the Lunatic Asylum to be Abused
and Maltreated.
THE ASYLUM INFAMY CONFIRMED
Piteous Appeal Of the Victim for Aid
Belts Escapes with Him by Sudden
Departure OF Train.
correspondence of the Globe

KAssoN, July There was considerable ex-
citement at our depot on Saturday last at the
time the western bound train was stopping
here.
The cause was the appearance of Frank Ellis,
former resident Of this place, a young man
we'll known and we'll liked in custody of the
notorious 'Betts''of the st. Peter insane asylum.
The young man was appealing to his friends to
release him from the custody of the inhuman
brute who had him in charge, and had the
train stopped a minute longer they would have
done it, as they know that Frank is not crazy
and that he will be brutally treated at the
asylum on his return. His entreaties stirred
the hearts of all that were" in hearing
passengers we'll those that
know him, and we think it
fortunate thing for Mr.. Belts that the train
moved out as it did.
The circumstances connected with tho case
are these: Some three or four years ago Frank
became crazy, caused by overwork and disap-
pointment in love matters and was sent to the
asylum, from which he was discharged, since
which time he has been all right
excepting and occasional spell of being slightly
out of his mind, but entirely harmless About
month ago at the instance Off brother who
is owing Frank considerable money, he was
taken back again, and week ago last Sunday
he got permission to go to church. Instead of
going to church, he skipped out swan the liver
with his clothes on his head. and walked
to his home In Byron, six miles from here. He
arrived at tits place on Thursday and greeted
his friends as naturally as anybody, and went
before a physician and got certificate as be-
ing all right. No could discover while
here the least bit of insanity about him. The
tales he told that day, about the treat
nlen6 of inmates by the brutal attendants
mnde the blood run cold He fully corrob-
orales all that has been brought out from time
to time in the columns Of the GLOBE.
Frank went to his home from here fully ex-
pectlng they would come after him, but de-
clarlng they should not take him back alive.
Belts went after him. and with the aid of
four or five cowardly ruffians he
was overpowered, handcuffed, d
taken back. He was not at his home at the
time, but in the village of Byron. His father
was visited yesterday, and he states that he
wanted to have him at home, that he might be
assured that he was all right. He states that
Frank was perfectly harmless and made no
trouble, and was willing to trust him with
money to help himself with. All who are &C
qualnted with him know him to be an honest
upright, Woodworking young man with no bad
habits, and our citizens have a great deal of
sympathy for him, and efforts will be made to
have him released
Frank says it has been red hot for him since
he has been there this time. His disposition is
one that will not bear abuse either to himself
or others, and the consequence has been that
he has been i'll a continual quarrel with attend
ants to protect himself and others. Frank tells
tales that would be of benefit to the Investigate
ing committee should they resume their labors.
and the people will believe what he says
Yours, For JUSTICE AMI RIGHT