The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-03-03
RON nurcmD.
An Interview with rho Judge-Binyer
in the Lunafic Asylum.

stopped OIL INC tram nv hncnOrhgo, anu
tramped across the fields to the Central Ken
lucky lunatc asylum, where Tom Buford,
the acquitted murderer of Judge John l..
Elliott, is held in pleasant bondage for an
alleged affection Of the mind. The superin-
tendent, DIR. Robert Gale, and his assistant,
DIR. George T. Erwin, were found on deck,
as II we're, and from both Of them the repre-
sentative Of the Courier-Journal received
cordial greeting and u hearty welcome. They
got me in q corner and talked in chorus like
--like-Ned and Charles, the famous double
team of "Nicholas Nickleby."
"How is my friend, Colonel Buford, com
ing on?' questioned.
"Quite we'll" replied DR.. Gale, and "all
right" responded Dr. Erwin.
GAS sure AS there il God in heaven the
verdict in his case was q just one" remarked
Dr. Erwin.
"Quite right, added DR.. Gale.
"He ia crazy man If ever saw one,"
continued DR.. Erwin.
"Right, you are" supplemented DR.. Gale.
rs his poor mind rapidly merging into
that state of mind known as demenlia, so
graphically described upon the first trial by
his lordship, Judge Curtis, Of New York;"
asked as length.
Eyes," responded Dr. Erwin, she is going
that way"
"The fires are slowly but surely burning"
added DR.. Gale, and Che man will finally die
OF dementia. / notice the indications in his
manner daily, and especially in tho disjointed
letters he writes frequently to his brothers"
'Do YOU consider Col. Buford's case in
curable?" I asked of DR.. Erwin, under
whose care no has been Immediately placed.
~ am inclined to say yes. Were he
younger there might be some hope for him,
but ct his present advanced aged l do not
think it probable that he will recover. 1T
ing with softening Of the BRAIN"
"Then, from what both of you gentlemen
say, it seems that Col Buford must live
always behind the light Of reason, and event
ually I'll madman's grave? Whore is he?
Can / see him?'
son, certainly" responded DR.. Erwin.
"By the way, there he is now" and the doctor
pointed out through the window in the d.
rection of a long brick walk running parallel
with the west wing of the building, where
perhaps half dozen men we're taking their
afternoon exercise. looked closely and saw
Tom Buford, bronzed and hearty, standing, it
seemed, ioyously, in the bright sunlight,
fondling the tail Of a pet monkey
which, perchei high upon his sa0ul-
ders, wss piayfally scratching the daudruff
out of his hair. Putting it plainly, the great
lunstic was tickling the monkeys tail, and
the monkey was in return for that favor,
playing barber with the old mans head. Iu
other words it was striking case of "you
scratch my back and I'll scratch your back"
I look d at the scene in smszement for few
moments, and at length wonderinglg asked
DR.. Erwin if Colonel Buford was going into
the monkey and hand-organ business, and,
if so. where was the hand-orgsn? Dr. Erwin
replied that he anticipated no such calamity,
and added that the monkey belonged to
Miss Corine, the little daughter OF Congress
man j. @. s. Blackburn, and had been sent
TO the asylum 10 BIO winterej, along with the
other lunaiics.
go out and speak to him." continued the
doctor. and, acting upon his suggestion,
stepped round the house, and in moment
stood upon the springing sward by Colonel
Buford's side. He recognized me immed
ately, and, extending his hand, shook my
own heartily.
81 am glad 10 see you," hesaid pleasantly;
Every happy that you have come. / want
to say something about that matter of Henry
Buford and Ben. Deering."
"Well. what aboutit, UolonelY
ooh, Henry is acting very foolishly. do
not want him TO take up my cause 10 that
manner. have written 10 him to stop it,
and stop it he must"
] admitted that Henry had acted rather
and Tom added:
"Ob, yes; every man has a perfect right to
express his opinion of my case. Let every
editor from tho Potomac TO the Rio Grande
say what he pleases about me. That Is the
editors right. That is what be is for, and
shall presume 10 deny none Of them TIE pre-
negatives that are rightfully their owe. My
brother Henry, though" continued the
speaker, sis warm-hearted, impulsive man,
and he means we'll. The trouble ia that his
muck temper often gets the better of his dis
cretion."
Colonel" / interpreted, laughingly,
"you do certainly speak most sensibly for
Iunstic.'
"Lunatic, the devil I'm no lunatic.
Your own mind is not one whit better bal !
anced than mine at this moment. The plea
Of insanity in my casa was simply adopted TO
cover the great crime of the courie. wanted
TO TRY the case upon Us uleflA. ulrur Nhb |
issue with my life in the balance, and would |
have laughed at death sentence. The |
trouble between Elliott and myself was not
Of personal nature. had been branded |
and crushed by the courts, out !
Awed and tramptd upon. was not the
outlaw, though. The judges of the court Of |
appeals were tho outlaws, and felt Il my |
DUTY TO shoot Elliott 70 sustain the statutes
IF the state. was willing 70 tske the con-
sequences, and in adjnogng mo insane a
Heath sentence had been passed upon me.
I'm buried alive"
Buford spoke rapidly and forcibly, and
Turing bis remarks l hsd no opportunity 10
nterpose. AT length l asked him u he OK
Docied to remain in the asylum for the rest Of
ais dsys.
81 10 not know what Phil Thompson in
ends 70 do" be replied, carelessly, ''and 1
I'M not troubling myself great deal about
he matter. 1 am comfortably fred here I
I'm not thrown with the body of the lunrtics,
hCu9h q couple OF bs-mless fellows occupy
he same room with me. am no. troubled
" the poor creatures, and pay very little
ltientiOn 10 them"
Il understand, colonel, that Judge Pryor
nd Gen. Rodnsn anticipate lronble If you
re dischargudi'
= a I