The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1882-02-07
Dr.. Mayfield is Now indie ed
Wreck of His Former
Self
He Fails to Recognized His
Wife and Most Intimate
Acquaintance.
Arrival Of Mrs. Mayfield Here to
Provide for His Care In the
Future.

\ few years ago Dr. W. \. Mayiield
stood I'm the front rank I'm hie profession
I'm this city, and enjOved large and lu-
crative practice. His reputation a. a skill
eel physician and surgeon was not confined
to this particular locality. but he W.,
recognized by the members of his proie,-
sion throughout the state IL bright and
shining light, and was often called from
home To- consult with other physicians in
important cases. Al that time ne moved
I'm the best circles of SedaliaS Societv-no
home being barred against him.
I'm the year 49,; his wife died. and after
this event the doctor seemed To- have no
aim in life, for he gradually commenced
going downward. The flowing bowl was
resorted To-. but he still retained his prac-
tice and self respect. I'm 1874 he was mar
ricd to Miss Mary Tobias. AMI Tor time
did better, but he gradually fell back into
his old habits, and To the vice Of drink
ing added that of eating opium. Oi
course IL was only question al
time with these two evils until he
became wreck both In mind and
body-Such, in fact, that he seemed To
have lost all control over his actions. One
hv one his patients left him, until the col
ored population were his chief patrons.
During ali oil this time, however. his SER
Vices were never refused the poor and
needy, and there are MANY families in Sc
dalia who have good cause t1 remember
him with gratitude Tor the assistance ren-
dered them In their hour Oi dire distress.
Although III one time in comfortable
circumstances, his worldly possessions
gradually slipped away, AMI - his income
amounted to comparatively nothing. he
WAS often pressed Tor the ucc,liul. For
months past hi~ friends have, known that
his mind was fast failing, ana have feared
for the worst, which J. now az hand.
\ few days ago the doctor and his wife
left SedaliI for visit with friends at
Windsor. AMI IL was while there that he
grew gradually worse until hope is now
almost lost Mr.. Naylield returned YES
,eriay morning. amt was me, 1T the depot
10y a BAz"u reporter. vino inquired - 10 the
doctors condition, To- which She replied:
His mind i gone. and hc fails to reco--
Mise many of his most intimate relatives
Even this morning he called me Mr.,
Cotton
Ms. Mayiicld stated that she hat re-
turned to >edalia Tor the purpose Of con-
SuIiing with friends a. To- what had best bc
done in the premises. She had intended
advising with physicians in ~ Louis on
the subject. but on thinking over the mat
ter, concluded To consult with parties here
first.
\ couple oil days ago the doctor imag-
ined himself filling prescription.
and n one OF the ingredients.
tore up postal card ami threw il into u
tumblcr ri wafer. which he stirred vigor-
ouSly for few seconds AMI then pronounc-
ell the dose ready Tor the patient. He
imagineS almost constantly that some one
* trying Io do him bodily harm, aud re-
fuses Ia believe otherwise.
Mrs. Maviield will remain here a couple
oi days. during which time she will make
arrangements for her husbands future care
The BAZOO regrets To refer tn the doc
tors mental condition a. above. hut the
fact has long been known to MANY. and
.Iow that steps are being taken Tor his
welfare. the news becomes public property
There are many i'm >e,lalia who knew the
doctor in his DAYS OF prosperity and will
regret To know that his mind has become so
clrul.l