The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-13
INSANE FROM OVERWORK.
A Commission Declares that Attorney
General Hord's Mind Is Deranged.
Possessed Of Mania Of Dangerous Nature, =
Is Found Necessary to Send Him to
the Insane Asylum.

It was with much surprise that the friends of
Francis T. Hord, Attorney general OF the State,
learned yesterday, that he had been adjudged in
sane and sent to the State asylum. His CONVEX
sation and conduct in public gave no indication
that his mind was unsound, and az he con-
tinued to perform .ine duties of his Office
in manner apparently faultless. up to within
few hours of his being taken into custody, the
announcement of his transfer to the Insane Hos
pital was astounding information even to many
who were brought into daily contact with
him. 1t has been known to his more intimate
friends. however, for some time that he
was a sufferer from nervous disorders
of facilitating nature, and that
his disease, aggravated by overwork and exces-
sive indulgence in the use of tobacco, had been
growing more serious in character; but 1t was
not suspected that his sufferings had brought
him to the verge of insanity. In conversations
with visitors at his Office he has, within the last
few days, been unusually entertaining The Of
fetal opinions given in answer to questions sub
mitted to him have been explicit and sound,
while his arguments IN the Supreme
Court, in cases involving the interests
forcible. So far as the public could observe. his
conduct has been that of perfectly rational
man. but the manifestations of his nervous dis
orders have been noticeable He seemed to be
never at ease. He complained much of
sleeplessness, and, without success. re-
sorted to various practices to obtain rest
Treatment became necessary, and ne was per-
suaded to go to a santarium at Cincinnati last
fall, where he was placed under the care of DR..
Evarts but he remained only about six weeks,
as he fretted so under the restraint that inn
provement in mis- condition was impossible 1t
was supposed that trip to Europe would benefit
him, and he was induced to go, but
he returned in few weeks and went to work
again in his Office as hard as ever. The culmi'
nation of the continuous wear upon his nerves
was a mania, which began to manifest itself
before his trip to Europe, but grew more violent
as the disease fastened itself more
firmly upon him, until finally. through
fear that he might commit murder,
it became necessary to procure his removal to
the asylum. This was done on Tuesday even
ing, with such secrecy however, that it did not
become generally known until yesterday morn
ing.
The proceedings for his examination by
the commission which adjudged him in
sane, were instituted by Dr. L. w.
Comstock. the dentist, whom Mr.. Hord
had been pursuing and threatening
occasions he had assaulted the Doctor. once
in last June and again in November, the last
time endeavoring to shoot him. Several times,
recently, Mr.. Hord had followed him with
threats of violence, and his mania of a supposed
wrong. with which he charged the Doctor, had
led him to watch the movements of the latter at
night in DISCUSSES The affidavit upon which
the proceedings were based, declares that public
safety demands that Judge Hord should be
placed under restraint. The papers state he ia
fsty-on years old, that he has been married
twenty-seven years, and has Ave children. The
commission which passed upon the evidence con-
sisted of Justices Feibeman and Smock and DR..
Wands
The papers showing the finding of the COM
mission were served on Judge Hord Tuesday
evening, at o'clock He was sitting in the Office
of State Statistician Peelle at the time and was
telling Mr.. Peelle and a friend about his trip to
Europe. His talk was not only rational,
but Ss h hs Description 1ssa Of Of the ub Ds1ss
interest to his listeners. While he was talking,
Deputy Sheriffs Corbaley and Long stepped into
the Office, Mr.. Corbaley remarking that he de-
sired to speak with Judge Hord privately. The
what was wanted The papers showing that
he had been adjudged insane were handed
him. He read them over hurriedlv,
his manner showing that he was
greatly excited. He walked back into Mr..
Peelle's Office aud laid down a book which he
had in his hands when he was called out, after
which he asked the deputy sheriff who was ''at
the bottom of the proceedings An evasive
answer was given him. and he then asked per-
mission to go and see his brother, Oscar b.
and the two spent about twenty minutes in
consultation. He demanded to know who had
instgated the proceedings, declaring that he
would rather have been shot down than subjected
to such humiliation. His brother acknowledged
his part in the proceedings and assured the
Judge that what had been done was in
the interest of himself and family. 1t was
as a last resort that the steps for his
confinement had been taken, and the necessity
for doing so was quite as distressing to the fam
q q "a "a
piled that he would procure his own release by
habeas corpus proceedings, and would then kill
his brother for having caused his being sent to
the asylum. Without offering any resistance,
after the conclusion of the interview, he went
with the deputy sheriffs to the asylum. Upon
his arrival there he asked permission to examine
the papers in the case, and, when given to him,
he read them over very carefully.
He still manifested much excitement yester-
day, but last evening seemed to be somewhat
calmer. DR.. Fletcher, the superintendent of
the hospital, thinks that the Judges mama can
be cured, and that he can be released from re-
straint in comparatively short time
Governor Gray stated to a Journal reporter,
Judge Hord, he would take no
action in regard to the official relations of the
Attorney general with the State. He had not
whether it would, in any event, be necessary to
formally appoint an Attorney general, as there
is some doubt on the question of whether or not
the legally appointed deputy would not become
the Attorney general. Among the State officers
and in legal circles there is strong
sentiment in favor of the promotion
of Mr.. William b. Hord, the present
deputy, if it should be found that the appoint
ment of an Attorney general is necessary. Mr..
Hord is young gentleman of unusual ability,
and is fully competent to perform the duties.
having attended to all the business of the Office
during his fathers visit TO Europe He is
strongly commended by the Supreme Court
judges, who will unite in petition for his ap-
pointment if the Office should be vacated
The State Board of Education.
The regular meeting of the State Board of
Education began last evening with President