New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-05
ORVIL L. GRANT INSANE.
CONFINED IN A NEw-JERsEY ASYLUM


was placed in a New-Jersey lunatic Asylum yester-
day. He imagined himself engaged in immense
speculatiOns. His physician claimed that too per
sstent application to business caused his insanity
other persons said it the result Of dissipation
His speedy recovery is hoped for.
ARRESTED AT HIS FAAlILYs REQUEST.
TIE PHYSICIANS STORY or Mr.. GRANTS INSANITY
NATURE or THE Observation-Disclosures TO
BUSINESS AND DISSIPATION ALLEGED 10 BE THE
CAUSES.
Orvil L. Grant, brother of ex-President
Grant, taken to the EewJersey Insane Asylum at
Norris Plains yesterday he taken into custody at
610 Tuesday, his arrival al Elizabeth on train
Of the Central Railroad Of NewJersey the request Of
his family and friends a certificate under oath OF
physician. Judicial proceedings being necessary in the
case Of private patients In county commitments
are made by Justice OF the Supreme Court and re-
cve the Endorsement Of the Lunacy Committee Of the
Board Of Chosen Freeholders.
reporter of THE TRIBUNE had an interview last
evening with DIR. J. B. Morton Mr. Grants family phys
can at his residence No $50 Broadst Elizabeth, rea
tive to the insanity OF Mr.. Grant, He said that the at
tention Of Mr.. Grants family called to his
condition Immediately on his return from Caifor-
MIA IN June last, whittier he bad gone in the
previous December II evident to their minds that
there was Something wrong with him. Mr. Grant began
then. and has continued SINCE 10 talk OF his great
evident insanity. DIR. Morton regards the insanity Of
Mr.. Grant as the result OF intense application to
commercial schemes and Of pursuing that line Of
thought by day and by night. At the solicitation Of the
family OF Mr. Grant Dr. Morton examined condition
and found him TO DO The formal papers Of APP
plcaton by his family then drawn up,
and the oeuincatiOn VI his condition was
made by DR.. Morton, and Mr.. Grant was
taken into custody upon his arrival Tuesday evening
from EewYork. He awaited all the afternoon, but
arriving until TOO late take him the asylum that
night he detained in custody at the county jail
until o'clock yesterday morning when he was con-
yeyed a carriage TO Morris Plains accompanied by
his oldest Henry. aud placed in the care Of DR..
Buttoph who has been for many years the chief phys
clan OF the New-Jersey Luuatic Asylum, at Trenton.
Mr.. Grant offered resistance but demanded 70 know
why he had been deprived OF his liberty. When in
formed Of the Of his detention he quietly yielded
but denied the correctness OF the accusation.
Dr Morton stated that Mr.. Grants mind runs on inn
mense speeuarons and tho starting Of gigantic enter
prI,a-. Recently he told DR.. Morton that he had
ordered from Boston several thousand calf
skins had purchased 10000 pianos at s65 each.
and 900 sewing machines at So 80 each, and
that no had secured several hundred ships %
take his purchases Europe. at another time he said
largely engaged IN the Colorado cattle trade and
that his herds numbered several thousand cattle. Dr.
Morton suggested 70 him that his health would be
greatly benefited II he would retire from business for
few weeks take good rest but Mr. Grant would not
listen TO the proposition, saying that he had not time;
that be had much hand. Recently STR. Grant or
dered large quantities o. Cafskns from Boston house,
and the firm. believing that something wrong with
him. tcmporized with him until Information OF his
strange conduct sent TO his family.
DE- Morton was asked II 10 true that Mr. Grant
WA victim Of alcoholism. lie replied that he believed
that there had been periods when Mr. Grant drank 20
/ excess but those terms were exceptional; the
I H.fr aant sVlu a
| moi alcoholism. He believed that the i'm
| portuuitlrs OF Spectators and sharpers during
| President Grants Administration had fred Oryl
Granrs IMAGINATION. and that bis sangune and enthu
siastio temperament quckencd thereby, had developed
AZ this late day into its present condition Dr. Morton
said that Mr. Grants early life was markedly pure ana
correct, and devoid Of evil aud vicious habits,
and II was Reasonable believe that hs detention and
rest with the technical treatment OF Dr. Buttolph
| would lead 10 his restoration 20 reason
Nj Grant Lost heavily BY the Chicago FIRE, and about
| six years ago removed 10 Elizabeth, where he
| has occupied n conspicuous social position. He
lived IN a fashionable portion Of tho city,
AT no sol Broadst and was engaged In general CON-
mercial operations IN EeW-York. lie Is forty-three
years old and wife and four children, the ages OF
the latter ranging from nineteen 20 eight years, the
youngest child being girl aud the others boys. He was
very devoted his family, and Ia. many warm friends
TgE TEIEuSg reporter called At tue County JAIL where
mo conducted himself while therr. but the aler gruhy
refused to any information or answer any quo,-
/ lis TO give no information Ia the reporters
Mr.. Granrs insanity became very noticeable IN Bos-
ton Although he had no capital, he proposed 20 Obtain
Of the leather market ana 90 get up corner IN
Isa.brr merchants and offered 20 buy large lots
| VI leather He also sent out orders for immense
ousutIues OF leather 70 dealers who lived outside
et, Tho business OF Boston either took no notice
Of u proposals or laughed at what they regarded as
the freaks OF lunatc lie often drank 10 excess. and
| arrh
ous. Several gentlemen IN Boston tired u Induce Mr.
T 5n 70 was thought, YOU'D take measures 10
keep him under restraint Ilelr Efforts only
aroused IN him spirit Of vindiciyeness His irieuds
aud atiyes IN New-Jersey written 70 at length,
inioi mod OF ms efrauo coulI' n' ~ Ia ia, nm
removed 10 place where his actions Would not Orlhs
| disgrace upon his family. ,.,.
that ~. brother the elPr sident, would aSn be can
didate for the Presidency IN 1880 aud had advanced
received some attention among politicians and had been
| gwen publicity There were rumors however. that
GOODNESS Nsed between the brothers on account Ot Or
A well known Republican politician OF this city. who
IA mtimatey acquainted with exPresident Grant, said
last evening am not surprised to hear that OTyll
Grant has been sent to an asylum LOT TUE insane a0f
mis- habits have been such as 70 drive almost any man
INTO Insanity. When Gonefa Grant was elected Presl-
deut the ars time, and for year or two afIerward,
! INN o9iv At long Intervals My meetings with him Of
late years were entirely accidental aud tue company
| that saw INN IN was not much To my TASTE under
stand that he has INDUCED IN many excuses Oh ate
aud that bis monta disorder is larEey the result o.
| habits. There IS no reason WY OINl
conduct or his insanity should east any shadow on she
| ex.President. know that General Grant bad become
thoruug hiy dsgusted with orvs course IN life before
there were any symptoms OF insanity IN the man 1heJ
| have been estranged from each other for years"
A prOmneu politician IN THIS CITY, trlend OF tehera
Grant said last evening: 81 have no doubt that OrVi
/ has drank himself crazy. An NOT personally Ac-
0uaned with hlm hut have heard OF him on various Oe
| easions through mutual friends. The General,
| Know has always regarded him black sheep in
| lis family. The President does not Ike Mm out
las always treated HIM we'll Few ears ago WINE IN
- LOuis was seated Postmaster Flleys ONCE, when
word was brought that OrYi Grant had Oeen found
NV police officer lying in prominent street suffering
win dslrum tremens. He arrested and spent the
ngt ma the statonhOuse Within the last few years he
Ls been drinking o. He has always been pos