The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-25
A CRAZY MILLIONAIRE.
Pitiable Condition to Which the Once Envied
Robert Garrett Has Been Reduced.

New YORK. Sept 24-"One fine autumn
morning, fifteen years ago. says writer in the
Commercial Advertiser of this evening "the
author Of this sketch stood ct the corner Of
Charles aud Baltimore streets. in the city Of
Baltimore, waiting for q street car. A young
man who was perfect athlete in appearance
stood waiting for the same car. The conductor
seemed to know the handsome young man, and
they chAttsd pleasantly together for several
blocks. There was tde glow Of health on the
young mans cheeks; his eyes spsrkled with in-
telligence; his face was broad aud honest look
ing. There was CHEEKY ring In bis voice. His
step as he got off the car was quick and elastic.
His whole makeup was that OF q prosperous
young business man.
Yesterday I was walking along country
road which runs near the border Of one OF the
nost picturesque lakes in America Tho lake
is In New Jersey. Surrounding it are lofty
mountains. their sides covered with q thick
growth or pine and cedar trees. IL 10 lonely
spot, and at the point where / stood there 60
sign OF human habitation. AS i stopped mo-
ment admirine the wild scenery Of the place,
heard tae grinding OF carriage wheels. A mo-
ment later a carriage turned a bend in the road
and passed me-. Besides the driver there were
three men in the same carriage. Two men
looked like prize fighters The third man sat
with bowed head between them. He looked old
auo leeDle dis bair WAe promatufeiy
grizzlsd. His face was hsggard, his cheeks
pale, and his eyes had q vacant,
wild look in them HIS form waslean and bent
His companions watched him narrowly. AS the
carriage passed me this man had his hands
clasped in front of him. He seemed wrapped in
deep study. A moment later he raised his head,
threw NJ his hands, and. with o frenzied look,
started from his seat as If to leap from the car
riage At the eame time he uttered terrified
shrek. The two rough-iooking men caught
hold Of him and pressed him back into his seat
He sank back helplessly, with q pitiful scared
look. The carriage passed on TO another bend
in the road and out of sight The prematurely
old man had again bent nearly double. with his
hands covering bis face if he was crying.
''The young man that saw fifteen years ago
in the Baltimore street-car, aud the bent hag-
gard man in the carriage yesterday, were one
and the same men. The man was Robert Gar
rett. But what a change has taken place iu ff-
in the form or face Of the man In the carriage
yesterday to indicate the young, spriehtly and
wel-dressed Robert Garrett Of fifteen years ago.
nor that the man had once besn the president
Of a great railway and power In The financial
world. Robert Garrett is now prisoner in the
old Miller mansion at Ringwood, n. j.,
and. in spite of what is said by his
physicians. IL is evident that he never
will be well man again. BE may live for years,
bat his reason is permanently detbroned. He
is IS completely restrained Of his liberty as a
convict. He is never allowed ont Of sight OF the
two men, who look like prize-fgnters. They
are hired 10 watch him and prevent violent out
breaks of his mania Their services fire.
ouently in demand for that purpose. Only .
few days ago Mr.. Garrett. had a violent spell in
the Ringwood House. He then came near break
inc away from his burly attendants aud jump
ing from q window. A servant who Was in the
room at the time was knocked sprawling by the
oem al yaifliapaire