The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-18
A PITIFUL AFFLICTI0N.
Thomas A. Dean, Leading Business Man,
Becomes Mentally Deranged.
BUSINESS.

Mr.. Thomas A Dean, of Woodford Dean &
Co., and one of the best known business men of
the city, was placed under temporary restraint
and treatment yesterday, as it was evident that
his mind had become so affected, that he was
totally irresponsible for his actions. The grow
ing malady was first noticed about ten days ago,
and Mr. Dean, who seemed to be conscious of it,
spoke to Father ODonaghue, his spiritual adj
wiser, who attributed it to overwork. During
the late severe weather Mr.. Dean acted very
strangely, making extravagant purchases of
robes, furs and other articles which he did not
want. Afterward he went to Lafayette on bust
ness, and there became violently deranged, i'm
agining that he was the Pope. making strange
speeches. and conducting himself in such man
ner that it found necessary to carefully guard
him. His friends were summoned by telegraph,
and brought him home yesterday. His mania
is a strange one and it is thought that with
proper treatment his mental faculties will be
soon restored. His family and friends are great
ly affected by his sudden affection, and much
sympathy is extended to them Mr.. Dean is
well known throughout the State on account of
his prominent connection with the Commercial
Travellers Association. He is man of steady
and temperate habits and excellent reputation
The Lafayette Journal of yesterday gives the
following account of Mr.. Deans actions in that
city:
about IL o'clock last night telephone mes
sage was sent from the Lair House to Sheriff Man
ming, announcing the fact that an insane man
was making things unpleasant in the house, and
he and deputy Neville went to the rescue. The
afflicted man proved to be Thomas A Dean, of
indianapolis one of the wholesale liquor firm in
that city of Woodford, Dean & Co. He is one of
the most prominent business men of that city,
and rather a prominent politician,
having served one term as member
of the City Council. He seems to have taken
strange fancy to Gus Bruno, one of the actors
connected with the Fun on the Bristol" party
which performed here on Tuesday night. He
came to the hotel late that evening, but it was
not until yesterday that anything was noticed
wrong with his mental faculties. He seemed
imbued with the idea that he was great actor
and that Bruno was his only friend. Stripped of
his clothing he recited snatehes from Shak-
speare's tragedies and other plays and made
things very unpleasant to the occupants of rooms
adjoining his. His friends were sent for and
soon came, including his wife, his. mother,
brother-in-law and business partner, the latter,
Major John Pohlman, and Thomas Gordon.
Terry Cullen, of the Grand Hotel, q friend of
the stricken. man who was in the city
caring for him. BY great exertion he
was. conveyed to the South-street depot, andlby
still greater got aboard the train. Sheriff Man
ming accompanied the party to indianapolis.
just how he became so infatuated with the man
Bruno is unexplained His mental condition was
noticed at home, and efforts were made to pre-
vent his taking the train for this city, to follow
the Bristol party, but he took a carriage and
caught the train at North indianapolis station.
Mr.. Dean is said to be a man of strictly temper
ate and correct habits, and his present mental
condition is a wonder to hiss many friends. He
had just completed an elegant house at Indian
apolis, and sent for his father and mother, who
resided at Evansville to come and occupy it
with his wife, They arrived there Just in time
to learn the news of his strange malady, and his
mother came over on the first train with the
other relatives and friends. The distress of the
mother and wife was pitiable, and brought tears
to the eyes of many strong man at the hotel
and depot 1t required the united efforts of three
or four people to get him into the passenger
car