Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-20
CAPT. CHEsTER's INSANITY.
An Army Officer Well known in this
City-Particulars of his Addiction.

Capt Jas. Chester, of the third artillery, who
became suddenly insane in New York on Satur-
day morning, as stated n TIE STAR Of that
day, is well known here, having been stationed
at the Washington barracks for some time. He
came before the public prominently during the
sessions of the court of inquiry into the aque-
duct tunnel construction. he being Lieut.
Townsend's counsel In the conduct of that
case he showed an extraordinary acuteness and
ability as a cross-exsminer, and his knowledge
of the law of evidence was frequently the sub
ject of eulogistic comment Among his brother
officers he was a prime favorite. he enlisted
as a private in the first artillery on December
second heutenancy, and transferred TO the third
artillery. He became a captain in September,
1850.
sUDDENNEsS OF THE ATTACK.
The New York Herald says: Capt. Jas. Ches-
ter, inspector of artillery of the department of
the east. has become insane. He belongs to the
third artillery. U. s. A. stationed at Governor
island. He Is a veteran and enlisted as vol
unteer before the breaking out of the rebellion.
He is about fifty-five years of age and rose to
his present position from the ranks His mind
was apparently in Its normal state Friday night
about ten O'Clock. when he was on the island.
He played several games of billiards with Ma jor
ing wrong was noticed about him. except that
he was restless and frequently strutted out
upon the piazza In a preoccupied wav. When
he left the major he went directly to his quar-
tiers after requesting Major Randolph TO call in
and see him later 10 have a chat" The Nor
forgot to call and heard no more of him until
he received a message saving that he was
locked up at the twenty-eighth precinct station
house on the Battery as lunatic Captain
Chester must have crossed on the IL O'Clock
boat to the city. for he turned up at half-past
eleven and hired a room at the Aston house.
At what time he left there no one seems 10
know, but in his room he left his vest contain
ing gold watch and chain and go in money.
At four o'clock yesterday morning he APP
preached the ticket agents window at the
south ferry and throwing down letter said,
give this to the press or policeman" and
rushed off. making straight for the Battery
wall. Policeman Henry ran after him and
caught him before he could reach the water
edge"
DEVILS AFTER HIM.
'The devils are after me, can't get away
from them!" exclaimed the captain, excitedly.
''They pursue me everywhere. They drove me
from Governors Island. They were in nv
room at the Aston house. | can't sleep for
them at night and they pull me about on the
street when I'm walking along" He con-
tinued to rave of devils all the way to the sta
ton house, and in the greatest terror pointed
them out to the policemen and implored them
not to let them get at him. In the letter he
left at the ferry-house he SAYS:
Fearing that may not get well. | deem il
my duty to myself and the citizens of New York
to tell the following story: | had been i'll for
some six or eight days in my own quarters, suf-
fering from disease which no one could de-
scribe by any other name than delirium ire
mems. L knew had not drank sufficient to
produce that condition. and was very much
alarmed at the possible condition of nv brain.
yerglng on insanity and insomnia. During
these painful periods of unrest | OBJ
served and naturally became acquainted.
to my cost. with a great number OF
figures on the wall. These | soon found
Were real living men and women, such as in
Europe would he designated devils. :
L found among them figures which had been
familiar TO me at other posts. On
one recent occasion they confined me in nav
own quarters. treating me with great cruelty
and preventing me from sleeping for six DAYS
and nights. The leader of the gang was named
Beelzebub. villainouS fellow, with whom
quarreled."
Major Randolph and DIR. Hager put in an
appearance at the Tombs police court after
Justice Kiibreth had held Capt Chester to be
examined as to his sanity. He was turned over
10 them and they took him TO Governor
island, where he now is in charge OF an at.
tendant.
e. Upon the basis of priceper line perl ,oOC
circulation, the advertising rates of THE EVEN
ING STAR are only about half as high rs those o.
other Washington papers. But cheapness il
not the only merit It's serrioe is better than
i Al