Connecticut western news., 1882-08-30
SHUT UP IN A MADHOUSE.

SHUT UP IN A MADHOUSE.
 Mfr. silkman's Story of His Bxpert-
 ence in the Utica Asylum.
 The examination into the case of MT. James B. Silkman, of Yonkers, N. r., alleged to be insane, was concluded by the dismissal of MT. Silkman from cus- tody. In summing up the case Judge Barnard said that not only was the pris- oner perfectly sane, but that in his be- lief he was so at the time of his com. initial as a lunatic. MT. Sllkman is a lawyer and has considerable real estate practice in New York. While attending Spiritualistic seance some four months ago he was arrested and taken to the Utica Asylum on 8 warrant from Judge Dykeman, based upon the certificates of Drs. Benedict and Balch, of Yonkers. The proceedings which led to the arrest were instigated by the brother-in-law of MT. Silkman, MT. Darius G. Crosby, of New York, and his clerk, MT. Silkman'a s son, young man of twenty-three. Three of the experts summoned pro- nounced him perfectly sane, including Dr. Kellogg, of the Poughkeepsie Asylum, the fourth expert taking the opposite View. The testimony of large number of witnesses went to show that, though eccentric, he neither was no1 ever had been insane. He was con- sidered to be of nervous and over. enthusiastic temperament.
 The son appears to be somewhat under the influence of Mir. Crosby, the brother. in-law, who, it is said, desired to end the contest over certain piece of prop erty by this summary method of dis. posing of the other claimant. As soon as the decisien in his favor was reached MT. Silkman returned to Yonkers, where he is staying with Dr. R. J. Southworth.
 A reporter called upon MT. Silkman and was received very graeieusly by 6 kindly looking old gentleman-tall and slim, with high forehead, gray hair and whiskers, and his pockets bulged out with legal documents. He talked very rapidly, in a somewhat nervous manner, not altogether unnatural for man but just escaped from lunatic asylum. He did not, however, betray any symptoms of insanity.
 "Well," said MT. Silkman, smiling grimly and extending his feet repose. fully on 8 chaif;; ''1 got away from them, but it was close call. Why, do you know really thought at one tune during the examination that they would send nae back to die in that complete hell with all the modern i1ipfovements that they call the U tica Asylum. You see, my brother-in. law, Crosby, and had it pretty hot about this property and we both did what we could to annoy each other, I told him I was going to publish certain papers showing tim up. That was too much for Crosby, so he got my son (his clerk) to swear out a warrant to arrest me on the charge oi threatened assault t--eonfeunded lie it was, too. Then they put me in the asylum; rifed my safe in New York and stole the papers spoke of.''
 "The evidence in the examination seems to show that yodr Arrest was rather informal ?" said the reporter.
 "Informap was no word for it, re- piled MT. Silkman. "Why, the Sheriff and his deputy drrested me and rushed me off to White Plains without my sup per, on a warrant based upon the cer- tiicates of two doctors-one of whom, Dr. Balch, had not seen nae at all, and the otlef, Dr. Benedict, only for five minutes. They declined to let me see the County Judge (Giford who signed the warrants without seeing me, and re- fused to let me consrlt 8 lawyer, On the way to Utica the next night they made me drink whisky to put me to sleep. At the asylum was received by Dr. Jocelyn, who locked me up.
 ''Well, you may talk of hell. but that Utics Asylum is just hell on earth. And as for that big black spider Dr. Gray. who manages the concern, am going for him in the next Legislature. He actually wanted the eoutt to adjourn so that he could go off for bender to New port. The fare he gave me was like poorhouse commons. I demonstrated and offered to pay for better food, but was refused, though I paid $e week for my board. 4 patient told mo that # I would not eat they wot1ld put the food in my mouth and force it down as they do chickens in Connecticut for the Christmas market. was shown sort of screw and was told that its use was to force open the teeth of refractory pa tients. During the first part of my stay I was obliged to hoe manure in the COW yard and wheel it of. My letters were not sent to tlseir add%essess but to my enemies who put me in the asylum.
 "After the habeas corpus was served" Mir. Silkman continued, 'I went to the Poughkeeppie Asylum for a week betots my examination. If the other was he'll this was heavenly. It any one has a mother or brother and can afford the luxury let them send them to the Poughkeepsie Asylum"
 In sepiy to letter concerning his