The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1886-10-09
LIFE In A MAD HOUSE
Az Described by One Who Had
Been There.

Fact and fiction sometimes touch,
and the most improbable incidents in a
sensational novel or incredible scenes
Of thrilling melodrama are often re-
produced in real life. About . year
ago I was confined in one of our
country lunatic asylums. have no
personal grievance, was properly re-
strained and kindly treated, but while
there some peculiar facts came to my
notice which think will interest the
public generally and especially tho rela-
tives and friends of lunatics. II such
things can occur in public asylums,
what may not happen in private ones.
where the unfortunate inmates have
no chance to complain of their treat
ment? Shortly after my reason had re-
turned. heard the superintendent say
to 4 patient, who was surrounded by .
group Of supervisors, overseers OF the
poor and other officials:
IL think that this is . clear case OF
kidnapping"
Ny curiosity was aroused and
asked him. ~ soon as could find an
opportunity to speak to kim privately,
about his case.
II commenced" he replied, - suit
against my father for alienation of my
wifs's affections; he thought that the
easiest way Of settling the matter was
to shut me up here. I've never been
insane for moment and it's a strange
state of affairs that Sane man can be
treated ~ I've been. Don't you think
%, too?
"what doctors examined your" I
asked.
.Drs.-and-," he answered,
naming two well known Long Island
physicians.
Don't they know the difference be-
tween insanity and reason?" was my
comment on this statement"
"They ought to-" he said; they've
had experience enough. I'm inclined
TO think that they took my fathers
word for it, for my examination was
careless and superficial. I've engaged
. smart lawyer, however, and hope to
be released soon."
questioned the keepers, with whom
was on very good terms. about this
patient, and they all declared that he
had never shown the slightest sign Of
insanity and all thought that it was q
shame to have placed him in the
asylum ct all. Yet he was kept there
for over two months, when he was
finally released. II his father had been
ahra~d ouounh A. mt b;v,n Il, /. v,r;v.<.
asylum he would probably have been
confined there until this day. Itseems to
me that this incident shows that there is
something radically wrong in our in
sanity laws. Any two physicians,
young or old. expert or inexperienced.
can deprive . man of his liberty and
sonsign him to living death. I'm
principled doctors in the past have
been bribed to certify TO the insanity Of
sane persons and may do 80 again in
the future. This case proves that, even
when honest, they may, through care
lcssness or ignorance, imprison men in
their right minds. 1t is placing Alto
gether too much power in individual
hands There is not any good reason
why any one accused of having an un-
sound mind should not always have .
regular jury trial, 90 that, with the aid
Of an able lawyer, he can have an OPP
portunlty to show the facts OF the case
As the law now stands he can have q
trial in special cases, but that il not
enough. There should be = public
hearing of the matter under all circum-
stances.
Here 10 another remarkable case.
A patient who told me that he never
was insane, but that his father shut
him up because he went on occasional
spreos, was shortly after his confine-
ment made night Waterman. A crazy
night Waterman! This fact alone Il
evidence enough Of the truth of his
story. He naturally took advantage Of
his position to escape, and made Z
voyage to Florida As q sailor. On his
return, although in full possession Of
al his senses, he was arrested As An
escaped lunatic. He had been kept in
the ssylum whom vas there for over q
year st the county's expense. He was
etruns, healthy, able and willing to
support himself. yet he was imprisoned
without rhyme or reason. and when he
asked for his release Was Quoted with
blausible nromisea. which were naves