The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-07-08

~ .-s...s
The commitment of Tony Hart to
the State Insane Asylum at Worcester,
Massachusetts, late last week, occa-
stoned sorrow among his friends in this
city, but little surprise. Now that the
unfortunate actor has been put away
the Mirror is free to make public facts
in the real history of the case, which
have hitherto been suppressed by the
desire of his family. "'
Il was two years ago that the first
symptoms of his dementla appeared.
He was engaged to play at the Standard
in wlerd piece called the Maid aud the
Moonshiner. o. the last night he was
all at sea in IBIS lines. and gotthrough
his part so badly that general astonish-
ment prevailed among those who knew
how perfectly reliable and self possessed
he had always been on similar occa-
sions. The trouble was attributed to
nervousness, but with repetition of the
performance his memory continued to
break down.
1t was in the fall of 1886 that Mr..
Harris condition excited the alarm OF
his firm friend and physician Dr.. T. S.
Robertson. The latter made a careful
examination of his patient and
promptly diagnosed the case as ore OF
we'll defined paresis. DR.. Robertson
communicated his views cCnfdentially
to the writer of this article at the time.
Mr.. Hart ana MS Harris Immediately
relations when first informed Of the dis
covery, secuted the idea. They would
not believe that the incurable disease
had attacked the actor. But DR.. Seguin
and DIR. Allen McClane Hamilton, the
famous specialists in b, ain and nerve
disorders were called in consultation,
and they agreed entirely with DR.. Rob
ertson's diagnosis. In spite OF this,
however. the relatives refused to con-
slider the opinion correct, but Mr.. Hart
was sadly convinced of its ruth.
With certain brief remissions the dis
ease steadily progressed, until a year
ago Mr.. Hart, who then closed his last
season with play called Denny
was incapacltated from the further pur-
suit of his profession. His conduct
speedily became such as to attract the
attention of his friends, who foresaw the
fate of the once popular, genial and
be ELUSIVE and boisterous, his talk
stammeriDg and incoherent, while the
muscles of his face became inert !
through partial paralysis.
After his benefit IN March last at the |
Academy he became steadily worse.
Friends advised Mrs. Hart to have him |
committed to an asylum for treatment |
and restraint, but she steadily refused |
so long as a glimmer of reason re-
and devoted herself to his care
With unremittlng patience. A few |
weeks ago his malsdy took a more VIC
lent form. He frequently tire atened |
to take his wife's life, and one day be
was taken home from the police sta
ton where he had been led after sus
tanning violent fall. Mrs. Hart was
persuaded to go south for short time
to procure some rest, and Mr.. Hart
went on to his native town of WOrces-
ter. Mass, to stay with his own family.
His disease making constant head
way, they finally had him placed in the
asylum there. Mrs. Hart, meanwhile,
has returned from her visit in Virginia
and is st Worcester. .
Fortunately for the future care OF
Mr.. Hart, the amount raised for him
by the Academy benetit-about 81 ,000-
will, no doubt, last as long as 1t Will be
required for defraying the expenses OF
his treatment. Paresis IS absolutely in
durable. 1t is prog CessiVe-it never al
vows lu6 NlCIllu W MAKE q SIdI0 dS dluoG
its inroads, although it sometimes halts
for brief spell. Often the patient
lives for years before death overt4kes
him. Witness the case Of BARLEY |
Campbell, who may not die for long
ME. ..- us..n 4... ...
Mr.. Harris illness was no doubt
largely due to business anxiety and the
worry consequent upon his spar ition
from Harrigan S interests. Pareses are
but in his case this theory
secms to have the most lisely basis. Mr..
Hart was a capital actor. In the de-
lineation Of Irish and negro characters
DC, was inimitable. In his personal
relations he was generous, amiabie and
socially inciined.-MlTr0r. ..'
-.st g; ----L--.- ...-