Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-02-14
A Clergyman Gees Crazy.
THE AFFLICTION THAT HAS BEFALLEN
ALONG ISLAND MINISTER.

A LONG ISLAND MINISTER.
The Rev. David S. Sutphen has for
twelve years been the esteemed and
beloved pastor of the First Dutch
Reformed Church Of New U trecht.
The church is the second Oldest on
Long Island, and its two-hundredth
anniversary was celebrated in October,
1876. A She TT time after his installation
be married the beautiful and accomplish
ed daughter Of Dr.. Polhemus, OF Waiver
ley, n. j. They have had four children.
The congregation v. ted him a salary Of
ing to $500 or $40v more. The old parson-
age house was Iemodelled for him at the
expense of the congregation, and fitted up
as handsome modern residence. The pas
tor kent his horse and carriage. and lived
in as good style as the best Of his neigh
bors. He has always been a great student,
and, two years ago, is thought to have
over-exerted himself during revival in
his church His health for some time
past has been declining, and last summer,
at the request of his consistory, he pro-
longed his usual vacation from four weeks
to two M nths, in order. II possible, to re-
build his shattered constitution. Shortly
after O'Clock Tuesday morning the wife
was aroused by the noise OF some one talk
ing in violent tones. She looked up and
saw her husband standing in the middle of
the room, and pouring out the most frantic
and scordant declarations. He trembled
violently, his body swung to and fro. and
his ha DIS were clenched tightly together.
I'm mad!'' he cried in piteous accents,
wringing his hands and gesticulating Wild
ly. I'm mad; do you hear? L must go
to the doctor OF | shall do some harm to
sometody!' Suddenly, and with all over
poweriag effort, he showed his wife, who
opposed him, away, burst through another
door leading into the hall, rushed down
the stairs, and unlocking the trout door,
ran out. It was dark, stormy night.
Rain aud sleet were falling, and the roads
were rough, covered with half-frozen mud
and ice Out into the storm dashed the
frantic pastor, and ran madly down the
street in the direction of the doctors.
He bur- led up on the steps and rang the
bell furiousy. Then he drummed on the
window panes. The doctor, who had been
sitting up late reading, and had gone to
bed only ten minutes before, thrust his
head out of the window and asked: who s
THEREOF When the rays Of his light fell
upon the half clad form, the deathly pail
face, with the perspiration standing in
beads on the forehead, and the wet bed
raggled garments, he started back in
horror.
otis me, Doctor!'' cried the poor clergy
man in despairing tones, "I'm raving
maniac. Take me in, for Gods sakel''
for the sake of my little familyH'
The doctor descended to the door. and
with kind and soothing words led the
trembling man upstairs into warm bed
/ room, The insane man made several at
tempts to escape, but Was finally quoted
\ Dy sedative and put to ted.
When the Doctor sat b. him, Mr.. Suit
| phen said that he had a great secret to i'm
! part-a secret on which he had been pom
dering for long time. at is this,' said
1 MIR. Sutphen: 1.-The arrangement of the
| mind is directly opposite to the decay of
| the body. l have always thought, hereto
| fore. that would die of consumption, but
| now am going madE'
The widest confusion continued at the
! parsonage and the doctors through the
4 night, and strenuous attempts were made
\ to keep the unfortunate affair from the
4 public. DIR. Schenck, DR.. Sper, of Brook
A Ign, and DR.. DeMund, all unite in the be-
| lief that with quiet and s-clusion in some
A proper retreat the unfortunate clergyman
4 will recover his mind completely. MIR.
| Jacob Sutphen, the PATIENTS brother, who
arrived in New Utrecht yesterday, was at
! first opposed to this course. Mr.. Sutphen
| himself mad asked to be sent to the Flat
bush Asylum. but the physicians recon-
mended the New jersey State Hospital in
| Morristown, as a better place, and he has
| consented to go there.
| DIR. De Mund said last evening: ''The
case is plain one. The man has been
worn down in health and spirits for some
| time. His over-taxed brain has at length
given way, but there is no reason why,
with proper rest: diet and exercise, and re-
| moval from the excitement of pastoral
life, he should not entirely recover his
faculties. His illness is sad blow to the
church and to all of us. The whole COM
munity loved, respected and admired
him.''-N. Y. SIN.