Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-12-02
0hR hl Sorrow.
FROM. PULPIT To.ASYLUM.
Heary Ward Beeeher's EoeenRrfc
Brother.


MIDDIETowJ, n. Y, December 1.-The
Re1. James Beecher, half-brother of
HeRry Ward Beecher, who eight years ago
resigned his position as pastor OF the
Paughkeepsie Congregational Church,
where he Vas, extremely popular and in
osceipt of large salary, and took up his,
residence in the backwools OF Ulster
county, was placed in the State Romeo
pathic Asylum for the Insane, at this place
few days ago. His singular freak in
abandoning luxurious home and remun
erative charge to i've in a cabin in the viii
derness was to many people at the time con-
elusive evidence that he VAS not cea sound
mind. but his family joined him in the
wild spot he had chosen, and with them he
has been living so quiet and useful a LIE,
devoting himself earnestly to good and
charitable work among, the rude inhab-
itaats of the region, that suspicious Of in
sanity were. long since allsyed, and bis
strange proceeding was thought chargeable
10 Beecher eccentricty. His brother, Ithe
Rev. Thomas X. Eeecher, of ElMira, it
seems, believed that James was not exactly
right in his mind. Last week, in company
with Dr. Lord, of Elmira, he visited the
hermit preacher, and finally prevailed on
him voluntarily 10 enter the asylum. 1t is
stated that the move was made simply to
enable him "to obtain rest and receive
treatment" at tAe hands of the asylum ply
siCians
In the summer OF 1874 he found con-
genial place in the wilderness about the
head waters of Willew emac Creek, in Snlli-
van county. There was no evidence that
the foot of man had ever trodden there be.
fore. He was so enchanted with the spot
he encamped on the shore OF the lake,
TO which he gave The name Of BeecheE Lake,
claiming the privilege by right OF discovery.
He remained there fishing and hunting for
six weeks, and returned to Poughkeepsie
simply to resign his pastorate, as he was
determined to seek again, as soon as pos
sible, the region which had so fascinated
him. The appeals of congregation and
Pleadngs Of family failed to shake his reso-
luton.
His wife declined TO join him in the forest
before spring and he spent the winter en-
tirely alone. In the spring OF 1875 Mrs.
Beecher and their daughter Joined her
husband, and the family has lived in the
wilderness ever since. Mrs. Beecher has
spent much of her time in eleyating the
condition of the few and scattered inhabit-
ants of the region. She started school
in the forest soon after she became adweller
in the wilderness, and has taught it herself
ever since She has introduced books into
families who never saw one from one years
end to another, spending 500 of her money
annually for the purpose. On Sundays
| Mr.. BeeCher has preached to the back
woodsmen. His eccentricities seemed to
endear him to them. His last freak was to
purchase, or negotiate for the purchase of,
the rocky heap known as Sans Point, on
| the summit OF which he designed to erect
a hotel costing $4,000. Recently his eccen-
tricities became so marked that his brother
| Thomas believed it prudent to have him
removed from the scenes with which he
had been surrounded, and togive him rad
ical change in locality and mode OF living.
To accomplish this the more etfectuaily 1t
was thought best that he be subjected to
| mild but firm restraint.