The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-10-16
n sTAANGE LUNATIC.
New York Letter.

New York Letter.
Experiments arc being constantly conducted
to improve tile condition Of the insane and to
discover q universal cure for tho disease. 1t
matters not how deeply person may DC in
volYed in decisions, there always remains some
reasoning power, and it is the belief Of not q
few alienists that if the proper material can be
brought to excite this power it can be built
upon to such an extent that IL viii restore the
patient to sanity. In following out this idea in
general way this strange malady was recent
ly cured at the BlOomingdaie Asylum In an
unique and peculiar manner, by DR.. Hammond
The patient was John II. Haskell, southern
gentleman, who formerly lived NJ Atlanta He
is highly educated ,and came OF on old family
noted for pride. lie carried himself from
childhood with an aristoCratic bearing, and
was noted for his integrity, Intelligence and in
teliectual ability. There Is 80 history Of in
sanity in the family. Mr.. Haskell married
when quite young, and has an interesting faIni-
ly of several children. lie is about 30 years OF
age. About year ago, following tho death OF
Mr.. Haskells eldest son, there came sudden
and unacconntable change in his disposition,
thoughts, desires and mode Of living. He
squandered money foolishly, few into pas
sion at the least thing, and exhibited great pro-
fapty, changed his intentions momentarily
and astonished the wives OF several Of his in
innate friends by offering his hand and heart
IN marriage. lie was very restless, and his
facial muscles were constantly In motion. He
asked pointed and insulting questions, talked
about his family affairs greatly to his interiors
in social position, was untidy in his dress and
filthy in his habits and appropriated every
thing to his own use to which he took fancy,
without regard 10 ownership. He finally
threatened to kill his wife, who was heartbrO-
ken at his unfortunate belief that she had
poisoned him, and as a precautionary measure
he was removed 10 the asylum. a month af-
ter he was put In duress he reached naniacal
stage. lie dressed Rrotesquely, assaulted the
attendants, smashed furniture, tore the cloth
ing from every enc he could reach, considered
himself In full dress in q white plug hat, drew
vile pictures, selected the devil as his friend
and companion, burned off his hair and wLis-
kers, fell deeply in love with every woman he
saw and spent much OF his time heaying fuel
into the furnace that supplied the intense heat
and kept tho lake Of fire burning in bades. Ho
was better and worse at intervals, and though
dirty in inclination and habit, he still main
tanned nearly all the time that cOurtly grace
that distinguished tho southern gentleman Of
the old school. II was very ead spectacle 10
witness the strange and disgusting antics of
one who had been so truly good and noble.
His many delusions after q time conferred In
the idea That his happiness on earth ami In
heaven depended upon the removal OF his head
and that OF his attendant. Ito talked about
this necessarily, aud IL took up so much OF his
time that many OF his former maniacal demon
STATIONS seemed 10 be, as IL were, forgotten.
Dr. Hammond considered the condition OF the
patient an excellent one for experiment, and
carried out the patients notion IN tho most re-
alistic manner possible lio proceeded 10 cut
off the patients head. a large sword was pro-
epIed and while tue patieBt was firmly held
the cold steel was run aropad bis neck several