Arizona weekly citizen., 1884-06-21
SUNSHINE AND SHADOW.
From Affiuence tO a Mad House-H.n,y and Unhappy Experiences Of an
 old TueSonite


 When James Hersey, formerly county Jailer was locked up the other day in the county jail on a charge of insanity the darkest clouds of life fioated over q human existence that had at one time been Hull of joyous sunshine and the other minor surroundings that ward of from this life all its discouragements and unhappy features. Although con. lined m the madman's cell in the coun. ty jail, there are those here who knew him when he was an honored and fairly wealthy business man and when he had i beautiful and happy home.
 The reporter last evening met a gen tleman m this city who knew Hersey m Montreal, Canada, some years aeo when he was in comfortable circum- stances, had happy home, q kind wife Rnd a pretty little daughter. He WAS at that time one of the managers in the foundry and machine shops ot Pillow
 dersey X Co, who owned the second largest establishment of the kind in the Dominion and who were regarded as among the wealthlest men in Montreal Nathaniel Hersey, one of the members or the trn and one of the wealthjest. was the uncle of James Hersey and tbe latter vas looked upon as one of the best men connected with the firm and tbs Erst liable to step into partnership. rates willed 1t otherwise, however. and the wife of James Hersey dled. This event changed his whole life and might m all probability be considered the direct cause of his situation to-day. He remained in Montreal for some time but his grief drove him from his once happv home and surroundings. He placed his daughter in the care of relatives and telling hls uncle he would not remain there any longer with the surroundings telling him of the happy days that had passed, came to America and eventually drlfted to the Pacific coast The strange Lfe of this coast diverted his mind to some extent from hIs trouble. but lis grief Was deep seated and made him man who was constantly unhappy. He was constant Tn hIs communication with his relatives in Canada, but every letter from the old home ooened the wounds of grief and he would at times from this cause become moros-. His daughter who Is now thirteen years old, he loved dearly but adversity had over taken him and his pIoud nature refused to permit him to return home or inform his relatives of his condition. and he continued to live not in hope but in despondency until his once well-bal- anced reason became almost dethroned and he is still growing worse. Yester- day he called for pistols and knife and the officers now regard hls case as serious.
 His relatives in Montreal were all l and were natives of the State l of New Hampshire. His uncle, Ma thaniel Hersey, with whom he was so | long associated Tn business, and whose | entire confidence he had, short time l ago sold bis interest in the foundries | and shops because he was growing old l and desired to return to bis native | State to end his days. Unfortu- | nately his days were few, and he. week | before last laid down and passed peace | fully to rest. In his will. however, he | gave his native town S50,0O0 in cash in | honor to the memory of his old home | from which be had been absent so many | years.
 Such is the partial history of the un- fortunate man now confined in the | county jail. and who Is at any time lia- | ble, from necessity, to be placed in | strait -iacaet, and subsequently placed in | a cell ID an insane asylum.
 There are doubtless many other men l in this Territory whose lives have been | equally checkered and unhappy. and | many whose lives are filled with TO- nance, but these faetS da not always | come to public noii-a. Tte,e aIe, no | doubt. many sleeyilJ r. tLe patter's i field in the city cemetery O. tlus city. | who could IT life have told an mt rest | ing and at the same time pathetic life | experience.