San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-10-26
FIFTEEN YEARS A BLAyv
A Southern Gentleman Loses Himself ., N.
1867 and Finds Himself In 1t. LoaIs /, ,sss
Globe-Democrat @

A Southern Gentleman Loses Himself At HAN.
1857 and Finds Himself In 1t. LoaIs \, ,sss
diobs-Democrat
Cases are numberless where;nn
suddenly disappeared and then , ~aa
found in some locality more q, sa
distant without being able to tell h 10y
they came there. The temporary su'
pension of the memory is not an 'S =
frequent failing, but such an illust,s
ton of it as became known at the ~.
Hospital yesterday is remarkable, IVY
February, 1881, man named Walt.
Philbrooks was picked up by the nol;ss
and, being unable to give an accom-,
of himself, he was sent to the Inssns s
Asylum and placed in charge Of H.
Howard. He labored underline hail.
cination that he was atHavre, Frame
en- route to London. He could c;vs
no account of anything that had taken IES
place since 1867, but was familiar with
events that had occurred prior to that
time. He had been a soldier in hs
Confederate army from Alabama and
had resided near Mobile. Being edu
Gated and accomplished he soon en-
listed the sympathy of several parties
who proceeded to investigate his ante.
cedents. 1t was discovered that IN
1856 he left Mobile and sailed for
Havre. He was supposed to have
returned to the United States, but it,
tie information was obtained concern.
ing him. When he left Mobile hehsd
sister residing near that city. 1t was
discovered that she now lived in New
York, and a correspondence took place
between her and the authorities. By
careful attention on the part of the
physicians, at the asylum, after "a years
treatment, Philbrooks' mind was grad.
ually lifted. Being impressed with
his abilities, the Health Commissioner
gave him situation as book keeper
in one of the institutions, which posi-.
ton he held for six months. It was
then discovered that he had great
liking for good intoxicants. He was
found intoxicated on several occasions,
and at length was relieved of his posi-.
ton. At that time there wereno symp.
toms of insanity about him. Subse.
quently he was discovered in an Inc.
briated condition, and few days ago
was sent to the City Hospital to be
treated for alcoholism. He was sob.
cred up, but it was the
SORENESS OF INSANITY
After the effects of alcoholism had
been removed it was discovered that
he no longer recognized any one about
the hospital, many of the officers Of
which he had previouly been well
acquainted with. Health Commis-
sioner Francis was informed Of the
matter, and called at the hospital to
see him. "How are you?" said the
Commissioner. Philbrooks appeared
surprised, and very courteously In
formed the Commissioner that there
must be mistake somewhere, that he
did not know him. Philbrooks was
then asked where he was, and replied
that he was at this hotel in Havre
awaiting for ship to take him to
London" He was informed that .
communication had just been received
from his sister in New York, asking
about him. He replied that it was all
mistake; that he had no sister IN
New York; that she resided at Mobile
1t was then discovered that he had no
more recollection or knowledge Oh
anything that had taken place since
1867, and located his sister at Mobile
where he left her when he sailed for
Harve. He was virtually in the same
condition he was when sent to the
asylum in February, 1881. lie was
again forwarded to the asylum, ana
placed in the care of DR.. Howard