The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1883-01-20
FUNNY CRAZY FOLKS.
Some Of tho Strange Things for which People
Are Adludgod Insase.

Are Adludgod lnsaae.
From the Philadelphia Time.
An instance has lately been brought
to light in one Of the courts in which
an eccentric old millionaire, whose
property wasn't willod according to the
wishes OF certain would-be heirs, is
charged with having been of unsound
mind because he sometimes wore odd
stockings, forbid his family to read
newspapers at the table and told his
son il would be good for his health to
walk to aud from his business instead
of riding in a carriage In addition to
these overwhelming evidences Of insani
ty he was unable ~ understand tho
mechanism CT ire extinguisher, and
non csrln'e. occasion, when lie had
company to dinner, declared his ina
bility to carve chicken according to
the approved scientific methods. An
other alleged lunatic, who was con-
fined in an asylum for time, but is
now at large, was incaroerated because
he mistook iire-extinguisher for n
soda fountain, or something of the sort.
He also refused to let the asylum bar.
Der cut bis hair. Insanity is sometimes
said to take the form Of failure to pre-
dict what the fashion in dress will be-
A wealthy merchant tailor was lately
charged with insanity because no pur-
chased a quantity of figured cassimores
which were too loud in style and color.
ing 10 be saleablc. A desire to get
away from confinement in m asylum is
considered by the keepers and physi-
clans in charge as conclusive evidence
of mental unsoundness.
A case,has lately been investigated in
which tho chief evidence produced by
the officers of the asylum to prove a
mans insanity was that he had pro-
vided himself with knives, saws and a
key in order to effect his escape. There
are people who are queer enough to
assert that this is very good evidence
of first class sanity. Another person
has been charged with insanity be-
cause he will insist ON carrying re-.
volver in his pocket. II this should
ever become a fixed evidence OF insani.
ty there is great danger OF an immonse
accession to the ranks of asylum in.
mates. Another man has been charged
with insanity because hegets mad when
collectors present him with bills. and
another because he writes letters which
the readers have difficulty in under
standing. Samuel Obreight, of whom
the newspapers were full short time
since, was charged with insanity be,
cause he filed his customers glasses
with beer instead OF froth. The beoi
drinkers would doubtless be very much
gratified il that kind Of insanity wouIc
increase indefinitely. The late Mis-
Sarah Burr willed the bulk of her i'm
mense property to charitable objecti
instead of her loving relatives. The
relatives are now of the unanimous
opinion that she was out of her head
and offer testimony to prove theii
claims, the fact that she generally
bought -specked' or damaged vegeta
bles because they were cheap. never al
lowed herself to get cheated in bar.
gain and always paid her bills. Mr.
Stokes, dead millionaire. who failed
to meet the expectations Of some OF hi,
relatives, had the insane habit Of put
ting his stockings under his pillow al
night and was guilty of perpetratine
atrocious puns. The stony. hearted
court failed to agree that these circum
stances argued untitness to make will,
although the pms were very bad. NJ
doubt.
A good-lookiug Young lady has beer
confined In New York State Asylum
for u long time, because she laboret
under the delusion that several mel
wanted TO marry her. II all the good
looking young ladies who WEI,
afflicted with that delusion were incar
cerated very large increase of asylum
accommodations would be required a
once. A West Albany blacksmith wal
sent to the Utica Asylum. He go
away, and the testimony by which ht
was sought to be reincaroerated was /,
the effect that he had ON various coca
sions, when very drunk, smashed thing
generally, kicking the table over ant
chasing members OF the family about thu
house with Ratchet. On one occasion
he had also raised q rumpus in tn,
asylum, but claimed that he had don,
so because the keepers did not give hin
enough to eat. Tho Judge remarke,
that smashing crockery when under thu
influence Of too much whisky was
very common diversion, aud, although
not TO be commended, hardly consti
luted positive evidence OF in sanity. A
good deal OF interest has been latel,
manifested in the caseof Henry Prows,
, Cooper, who has been under examina
ton for alleged insanity in the New
York courts. While the latter dovel
opments in his case lead to the con
clusion that he is probably suffering
from the first stages OF general paraly
sis, there are good many ridicnlou
! proofs OF his insanity oifere such a.
his kicking out a carriage window I,
get some fresh air. A sane man woul,
have quietly smothersd according I,
such logic.
One OF the latest and most interest
ing cases Of alleged insanity is that o
; Mrs. Martha j, Collins, Of Bradford
Pa, who was lately released from th
Buffalo Asylum, iHer husband, wealth,
liquor dealer, had her inoareeratel
! Illegally, a. II seems, in an asylum out
side OF the state in which he resided
the chief charge against her sanity bo
ing that che acousod him OF inadoht
10 hts mgrriage vows, and threatonel
, 10 expose HIS relations with couple o
, women In tho town who move IN goo
I circles AZ the investigation, a who
D 1 a aH a.