Morning journal and courier., 1885-08-17
John McCulIough's Mind Gone Be-
 yOnd Recall.

D1AfAD AV W VAAD IT OAeAk H41s John McCuIIough,s Mind Gone Be-
 yond Recall.
 NEW YORK, Aug 16.-It was visiting day yesterday at the Bloomingdale insane asylum and the theatrical friends of John McCul- tough were out in force, and Mir. McCul- tough received them in his room in the sec end story, one of the pleasantest in the asy~ lum, from the view of the park and grounds afforded at the window. Dr. Sanger Brown officiated as resident physician in the absence of Nr. Nichols, who is on his vacation.
 "What is the present condition of MT. Me Culloughs" asked reporter of Dr. Brown. ssI am not at liberty to state what Mr. Nc Cullough's present condition is, and my req son for withholding information from the public is that MT. Mccullough is, to cer- tain extent, in his own house and entitled to all the protection we give every private patient. I can understand very readily that the public wish to know what MT. McCul- 1ough's condition is and to a certain extent are entitled to know; but anything divulged regarded his habits, eccentricities and actions which would be ia- ble to bring pain to his wife. family and friends, will be withheld by me and by everybody connected with this insti- tuition. Positive instructions have been given by Captain Connor and other intimate friends to not allow members of the press to approach MT. Mccullough. When I am re- quested by those having the authority to speak of MT. McCullough's misfortune will do bT7tr, hafor 1noxU af Ina public will understand my position and that the stand taken by me and others in the asy- lum is the correct and only one under exist ing circumstances"
 Dr. Brown invited the reporter into the ward directly underneath the one occupied by the once famous tragedian. Henry E. Dixey, the actor, and other former compan- ions were making their regular weekly visit. Said well known playwright to the report the facts in my possession to the public, for I do not see what possible harm can result from it. Of course, let it be understood that I do not want any notoriety, for I don't wish to wound the feelings of sensitive friends. I called on tom ever since he was struck down. The conversation was on the light and cheery topics. John, as I always called him, rises a little before B. m. and breakfasts at eight o'clock. His appetite is excellent, and in many cases where the symptoms have been more aggravated this has been regarded as a hopeful sign, but not so in his. He is ab- porary recovery, and the fact is con- cluded by all physicians. To the lay man who is not a specialist, and has not been informed of MT. McCullough's disease, a casual glance would reveal little or nothing of the incurabls ma!ady from which he is suffering. It is softening of the brain, pure and simple He rides in the park whenever his attendant feels that this recreation would be pleasant to him. He seems to be much attached to his servant and likes the institu- tion."
 ssDoes his recollection ever go back to his acting periods" asked the reporter. "No, that is a blank page to him. Occasionally fond of the opening soliloquy in act 1st of Damon and Pythias,' which runs:
 Philistius is president at last
 And Dionysius has o'erswayed him.
 Well, 'tis what expected,
 There is now no public virtue left in Syracuse
 Sometimes he will repeat the whole so- liloquy and at other times he will stop at the first line and glance so piteously into space that heart of adamant would melt at the sight. Then, again. he imagines he is in Philadelphia, Chicago and once in a while in this city. He is very tractabIe, easily per suaded and never violent. He is allowed to carry a cane. Many imagine this is for pro- lection, but such is not the case. This man of once magnificent physique is tottering, helpless, unfortunate imbecile, without ever, up to this stage, becoming idiotic. He sits on the lawn, rides often and sees his friends, who have all been very kind to him. He may live six months, and pos sibly three years, I am informed by com potent medical authority; but the John Mo Coullough of old is dead to the world for ever"
 As the reporter passed down the lawn he looked back and saw the once popular artist standing in the window and leaning on his walking stick and gesticulating with his left hand At that distance he looked much as in the pose when he trod the boards Vir- ginius and brought the house down with tre- mendous applause. Mrs. Mccullough is in Philadelphia and visits her husband only oc- casionally