Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-10-31
TEN YEARS IN AN ASYLUM.
The Nephew OF an Earl in a Long Island
sst

The Nephew OF an Earl in a Long Island
''Home."
Judge Bartlett, ia the Supreme Court,
Brooklyn, Tuesday, says the New York
World, granted a writ of habeas corpus
in the application of Il. w. Leonard for
the release of Charles e. Richards, con-
fined in DR.. j. w. Barstow's private asv-
lum for the insane at Flushing, l.. |. In
his petition Mr.. Leonard says that Mr..
Richards is restrained from his liberty
ard was committed without process. The
writ was made returnable on Nov. 1 at
10 a. IN, Mr.. Leonard is the lawyer who
secured the release of Mrs. Wiley, who
was confined in the same asylum. 1t is
the same institution in which Henry
PrOuse Cooper was a prisoner, and is
known as Sanford Hall.
The case of Charles K. Richards is one
of special interest. He is a handsome
man, between 3j and 40 years of age, over
6 fleet tall, with sandy moustache and
beard. He has been in The asylum since
1874, and though 1t is claimed that he is
perfectly sane he mas been kept in solitary
confinement. He comes from one of the
oldest and most respected families of
Philadelphia. His father was Benjamin
w. Richards, who was Mayor of Phila-
delphia in years gone by. His mother
was sister of Lord Dundas, an earl of
Scotland, who came to this
country and established g business
in Philadelphia. His place was on the
corner Of Chestnut and Fourteenth
streets, and was known throughout the
State. Lord Dundas never returned to
Scotland, but accumulated fortune and
eventually died in the Quaker City. Be-
fore his death his sister was married to
Benjamin w. Richards, a representative
of of "a i11f fbn
Mr.. Richards was very wealthy and
owned large portion of the property
which now constitutes Fairmount Park.
This property he subsequently sold to the
city. He had four children, Benjamin
W., Jr.. Selma, Howard and Charles K.
Howard Richards is prominent lawyer in
Philadelphia and was married to a Miss
Mayo, a niece of Gen. Scott. The only
aughter, Selma, is the wife of Gen. r.
Lawrence. A gentleman who has known
the family intimately for thirty years said
to a World reporter yesterday:
ECharley was tall, handsome blonde
and one OF the most Jovial fellows l ever
knew. He never, during all the time that
l associated with him, showed any symp.
toms of insanity. The last time / saw
him was, | think, in 1869. Ibid not know
what had become of him until the other
day, when l was told that he was in an
L
family well. Charley and his mother, who
was a sister of Lord Dundas, spent num-
Der of years in Paris. 1t was there that
Mrs. Richards finally died. Mr. Richards
died in Philadelphia. He left consider
able prOpe rty, which was divided
among his children. Charley was bach
elOr and spent portion of his time in
Paris and this city. His brother, L be-
lieve, considered him somewhat wild. He
had rooms in this city. When the war
broke out l enlisted and Charley served
in the city regiment which went out from
Philadelphia. This body was composed
Of a number of well-to-dO young gentle
men, all of whom were tall, weli-built
fellows. AS l have said, did not know
that he was in an insane asylum until the
other day."
Mr.. Leonard says that his attention
was called to the case by persons who
were connected with the asylum. Miss
Addie Price. who was a nurse in the in
stitutiOn for four months, first spoke TO
him of Mr. Richards. She said that she
believed him perfectly sane. Mrs. Henri
eta Wiley, whose release from the asv-
lum he secured on Sept. = said that she
saw Mr.. Richards there. He aIwavs
acted like perfect gentleman and never
showed any symptoms of insanity. Mr..
Leonard says that he also received intor-
nation from other sources which 90 to
show that the man is uniustly restrained
of his liberty. Ten years ago, he saws.
Richards quarreled with his brother in
the law office in Philadelphia. Shortly
after that be was brought to this city and
thence taken to Flushing under the pre-
tense of seeing a friend. He was placed
in DR.. BarstOw's asylum without a legal
commitment, as it is claimed. Twice he
attempted TO escape, but each time he
was captured before he could get away
from the village. DR.. Barstow, Mr.. Leon
ard says, is receiving $45 a week for
keeping Mr.. Richards. AS far as the
lawyer can learn there is no motive for
depriving Mr.. Richards of his freedom.
The unfortunate man is worth $35, 900 or
more, which was left him by his father.
The money is invested in real estate and
nkC