The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-24
GILBERT'S INSANITY.
A Statement That Seems to Justify
His Confinement.


MACON, GA, Dec. 2S.--A special to the
Telegraph from Albany says: with re-
gard to John d. Gilbert, who Is now con-
fined in the asylum. the following state
ment is necessary to show the true state of
the case, after the publication Of the Gil
bert letter: Mr.. Gilbert does belong to one
of the first and best families of the state,
but the story, as published, has not the
shadow Of truth about it as far as his rela-
| tives here are concerned. Mr.. Gilbert was
| reared in Albany, and was young man OF
tine business qualities before his sad mis-
| fortune overlook him. MIR. Gilbert became
an habitual drinker, and the loving in
tuence of devoted wife and
kind, considerate, patient brothers could
| not stop him i'll his downward cour G.
| Finally he became violently insane and
made violent attacks on Dr. W. w. Bacon
and others of his friends. Ee was tried for
| lunacy according to the laws of the state,
and sent to the asylum for the protection Of
| himself and his family, and the whole board
| OF physicians OF Albany will testify that he
| is tit subject for his present quarters. II
any does, your correspondent knows Mr..
Gilbert, and held conversation with him at
the Central depot when he was at home
last. was waiting for train, and Mr.
| Gilbert approached me and wanted to
pawn his gold watch for Is cents
or half pint OF liquor. l demonstrated
with him and told him to 80 home to his
| wife and children. No" said he. 81
will die if don't get drink, and if you
won't take the watch some one else
Will. l am not in fit condition
to 60 to my family and am going back to
Milledgeville where can be cured" His
| quotation from Hon. Lewis Arnheim is MOI
| true. His wife and children are in danger
of their lives when he is at home, and ii
will be found, if Mr.. Wright listens to the
story Of the distorted mind and
makes an investigation, that Mr.,
| Gilbert's story is not true. As to being de
tained by his brother, it is true, and his de-
| tention was sanctioned by his deeply
| grieved wife and every one of Albanys
| good citizens, and their actions in the case
are through the kindest of feelings toward
| the patient and his wife and children.
| Your corresr ondent is per onally a.
| quainted with the patients family relatives,
| knows well Gilbert's periodically violenl
| condition, and that the story written by
| him is untrue. DIR. Powell is well ac-
| quainted with the particulars of the case
and can get all the proof necessary to jus
| tify Gilbert's dete tion.
Gilbert's wife and children have a com
| Portable home here, where they now reside
| 1t is for the best that he should stay where
| he is until kind providence restores his
| reason.
SIN an interview with his wife, she said I:
| Il never expect to live with Mr.. Gilbe
again, for | con ,ider him unsafe, and a fl
subject for the asylum, and he ought t,
l.have been in the asylum long before ne was
| sent there. he is a confirmed morphine
inebrate and was for years before any one
knew it. 1t was first administered by q
| physician and became habitual with him.
have known him to eat dollars worth in
a day He claims it has a pleasant efRec
/ and allays bis thirst for liquor
colbert escaped from the asy-
lum once, and went to Angus a,
sold his watch and came home His brother
are very kin to him, and would have trie,
to keep him at home had he not returne
under the influence of liquor or morphine
| He is uncomfortable at such times, and
when he arrived here about a month
ago he was Immediately placed undeI
| arrest at the request of DR.. Powell l am
very sorry there has been any publicity ol
the matter, but your letter shows up tn
| true state of the case, and is but doing
| justice to his brother. "Mr. Gilbert should
not be allowed to write such letters for pub
lication or anything el g."
| MAY MARCH ON MARCH 4.
| WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.--The Bibb Blues,
a colored military company of Macon, hav
| applied to the Inauguration committee for
information about quarters about March 4.