Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-19
WAS IT HYPNOTISM !?
The Last Chapter in q Case Which
Caused Widespread Comment.
P.V. KEITZ CASE NOT CREDITED BY
Christine Hornberger, Who Alleged He
Controlled Her Mesmerically.
RESOLVED INTO SIMPLEST INSANITY

A recent remarkable case of alleged mes
merism or hypnotic force has been recalled
to the public mind by the death of Peter V.
Keitz, of No. 81 South Twelfth street.
About nine months since Christine Horn
berger, powerfully built and not at all ILL
looking young woman of the Southside,
bobbed into public view, dragging Mr..
keith with her, very unwillingly upon his
part. Christine claimed that Keitz had
mesmerized her so effectually that his infu-
ence was apparent, absent or present. I'm
pressed in this manner, she proceeded to
make Keitz's life burden. She waylaid
him at all times, and even dragged him out
of bed at all hours of the night to listen to
her iucoherent protestations of love, and
finally became so demonstrative that he was
forced to invoke the police. The girl was
arrested and received jury trial
Her testimony created a national sensa-
ton. She alleged that Keitz had mes
merized her. and that ker own volition had
completely disappeared under the influence
of his hypnotic power. Her side of the
story was so strongly put that, despite
Keitz's angry denials of the possession of
any such power, great many people set it
down as a well-satisfed instance of the
FORCE OF MEsMERIC POWER.
The Jury found she was mentally un-
balanced, but the Judge sent her home with
some good advice. She said at the
time that, although she intended to combat
her delusions, she was afraid that Keitz's
power over her was too strong. Sure enough,
in few days Keitz wrathfully complained
of renewed attentions. The girl was then
examined by physicians and committed to
Dixmont.
Had Keitz's death disenthralled Christine
Hornberser's reason, the case would have
been one of thesmost remarkable on record,
and those skeptical of the existence Of mes
meris or hypnotic power would have been at
their wits end to explain the hypothesis.
For this reason q DISPATCH reporter went
to Dixmont yesterday to discover what
effect had resulted from the death of keith,
and whether the mind of the woman had re-
gained its clearness by deaths removal Of
her source of insanity.
DR.. H. v. Hutchinson, Superintendent
of Dixmont talked readily upon the case:
"I have been watching the patient ever
since her detention here, and have thought
that she was an interesting psychological
study. was present when she saw and read
the item in THE DISPATCH announcing the
death of Keitz. 1t
MADE NO DISTINCT IMPRESSION
that she did not believe he was dead, and,
when pressed for a reason, said he could not
be dead, as she still felt his influence upon
her. So the case resolves itselfinto simple
matter of illusionary insanity.
SIT is a peculiar fact that those who have
kindred delusions with hers in regard to
persons never cease to defend their theories.
There are many insane people who in lucid
moments can be brought to believe facts.
But those who have 6elusions reject any
and everything that may be in opposition
to their pet notion. 1t is a very common
form of insanity. This young woman has
been a very mild patient. In fact, patients
with delusions are as rule quiet and un-
"We have one patient who is firmly con-
vinced that 1 am Mr.. Parnell, and who
never calls me anything else until the moon
changes, and then she addresses me as An
drew Carnegie"
The Hornberger incident having been ex-
hausted, proposition to go through the
hospital was agreed to gladly. DR.. Hutchin-
son was questioned in regard to William
Thaw's connection with Dixmont. The
D0cJOl SAID. Mr. InaW malntnlneQ several
patients at Dixmont, and we. of course, feel
some curiosity in regard to his directions,
legal or otherwise. He was generous
friend of the institution
FREEDOM FOR CERTAIN PATIENTS.
Passing into q long corridor with cosy
rooms at each side, DR.. Hutchinson stated |
that with some doubt in the matter, it |
had lately been determined to allow |
the quieter female patients free access |
to portion of the grounds of the institu- |
ton opening directly upon the high road. |
The experiment had been perfect success,
none OF the patients manifesting the slight |
est intention of escape. and the fresh air and |
sunlight having very salutary effect upon |
the health of those deemed safe to be trusted. |
The reporter glanced into the garden and |
saw the group OF women disposed on settees
Or moving around with as much self-posses-
sion as if at tea fight or tennis party. |
The only element of irrationalism was con-
tributed by tall woman who was moving
rapidly around shaking hands with every
body in grotesque fashion.
81 wish you would urge the public" said |
DR.. Hutchinson, "to contribute reading
matter to the hospital. We could profit
ably use Almost any amount of light or in
'tructive literature, and we feel sure that a
yenerous resnonse will he nade tn this "a