, 1888-01-12
Seeks Freedom From an Asylum

eeKS from an Asylum.
BosToN. Jan. 1l.-Gen. Butler is en-
gagged in an effort to secure the release of
a rich American from the Mclean insane
asylum in the city Of Somerville. The
rich mans name is j. Cleves Dodge. He
went from this country to Paris, some
years since, and returned a few months
ago to look after his property in Boston.
MIR. Dodge was committed to the asylum
two months ago by Judge McKim, of the
probate court of Suffolk county, upon the
application of Mr.. Dodge's partner in
business, Henry A. Young. Subsequent
ly, upon the application of Young, the
latter counsel, Alex S. Wheeler was APP
pointed Dodge's guardian by Judge
Brooks, Of Middlesex county, IN which
the Mclean asylum is situated. As Mr..
Dodges wealth is estimated at 800, 900
the guardianship was an important ques-
ton. Gen. Butler yesterday appealed
from the action Of Judge Brooks, and the
case will be ventilated in a few days before
a jury in the supreme court, when Mr..
Dodge will be brought forward on a writ
of habeas corpus. Mr.. Dodge is over
htty-nlne years of age, and for the last
twelve or thirteen years has lived in Paris.
He was born in Vermont, and was for
some time engaged in business in La
fayette and indianapolis, and afterwards
in Chicago, where he did quite an extern
sive business in boots and shoes. Most
of his property was still later accumu-
lated in Boston, where he did a
very extensive wool commission bust
ness in company with Young.
During the last few years of the partner
ship Young had entire charge, Dodge
being abroad, and the %latter's object in
coming home was to make a personal ex-
animation Of his securities, etc. He al
leges that he was not permitted to be
present at any hearing before committed
for lunacy. After getting to the asylum
he was handed a Taper purporting to be a
citation to appear at a probate court in
Cambridge on the first Tuesdayin Deem
Der to show cause why a guardian should
not be appointed for him. In this cita-
ton he was described as a citizen of Som
e%rville, though he had never before lived
there, n had no property there but his
wearing apparel. He was not permitted
to be present at any hearing, but he was
atterward informed that a decree was
made appointing the guardian. The
reasons upon which the appeal is based
are;
iISti budt lC 10 SduC dIu CilpaDle OF
managing his property; second, that the
court appointing the guardian had no
jurisdiction, as a legal residence is not
changed when a person is held by force.
1t set forth, that though Mr.. Dodge has
made frequent demands upon Young to
deliver his estate, Young still unlaw-
fully and against Dodge's will fraudulent
ly withholds from him a large part of
his estate, amounting to several hundred
thousand dollars. 1t is alleged that the
bonds required of the guardian are not
proportionate with the amount of money
involved. Mr.. Dodge was committed
upon the affdavits of Drs. Jelly and
Ayre, two celebrated experts on mental
disease. The certificate stated that Mr..
Dodge was broken in mind and body, ir-
ritable and excitable, experienced diff
Guilty in articulation and resisted control.
He also labored under au erroneous im
preston that he was immensely wealthy.
The cause of his arrangement is pu. down
to the excessive use of tobacco.