Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-31
SANE AMID MADMEN.
Annie McCOrmick's Terrible Expert.
ence I'm Connecticut Asylum.


A Bridgeport, Conn, special to the Phila-
delphia Press says: There is much interest
here in the case of Miss Annie McCor-
mick of this city, who in now in
New York, after having been pro-
nounced sane by special committee appointed
by Judge Fem. An appeal has been made by
prominent citizens to have an investigation
made at the Middletown insane asylum to as
certain If there still patients in that insti-
tution who are unlawfully or inhumanly con-
fined.
Miss Mccormick carried on q dressmaking
establishment in this city for several years, and
as her patrons were mostly wealthy and fash
ionabls people she accumulated what was to
her competency. sister in Falls village
looked with Jealous eyes on the success
over plan to obtain portion or the whole OF
the dressmaker's wealth. She went before q
magistrate and made application to have
Annie incarcerated in an asylum as an in
sane person. She employed young ply
stefan, who interviewed Miss Mccormick,
and afterward certified that she was Of disor-
dered mind. On the strength of this certif-
cate she was arrested and sent to Middletown,
and aconservator was appointed to take charge
OF her money. In vain she told the officials
OF the institution that she was the vic
tim of conspiracy. They heard just such
stories every day, and would not listen to her
accounts of the way in which she had been
treated The asylum physicians would make no
examination Tor themselves, but depended
solely on the certificate issued by the
Bridgeport doctor, and Miss Mccormick
was locked up. She received no treat
ment for her alleged disorder, and no one
appeared to care whether she lived or died.
She says now that the terrible tortures of mind
ment were sufficient to set a sane person crazy,
and it is wonder to her that she did not
break down.
For whole year Miss McCormick endeavored
to nnd some way to communicate with outside
friends, but there was no opportunity. She was
closely watched, but this was the only special
attention she received Had it not been
for her strength Of mind and great cour-
age she would still be an inmate OF the asylum,
but her perseverance and watchfulness
had its reward and at a favorable OPP
portunity she escaped from her room by means
OF rope, which she twisted from the torn
covering Of her bed. She let herself down from
third-storH window, and, addressed, she
fed as far as she could before daylight. Then
she hid herself from observation and travelled
again whole night. At the house of poor
but honest farmer she told her story,
wife willing to give her some additional cloth
ing, and received directions how to reach the
town OF Goshen. Arriving there, she found
friends who were sure OF her sanity, but who
nau peen poWerless 10 prevent ner incarceration,
They gladly aided her to get to New York, and
proceedings were at once instituted by the Rev.
julius Nelson, DIR. S. ii. Platt and Judge Car
roll to have her again put in possession Of her
property, which fortunately had not been ap-
propriated by her sister. She has now been
declared sane, and the authorities have no fur
ther claim upon her.
Gov. Bulkeley has referred the case to the
state board of charities and instructed them to
place the responsibility where 1t belongs. 1t
will be interesting to learn if there are other
cases of similar kind in the asylum at Middle
town, and the board will probably make q
thorough investigation.
Miss Nora Farrell, of Norwalk, who has been
confined in the asylum, has effected a release in
peculiar way. She was placed in the asylum by
relatives ten months ago. but soon regained pos
session of her mental faculties She wrote a
note explaining her situation and condition,
and placed it in the drawer of sewing machine
which was to be sent away. The machine came
into possession of c. W. Kennison of Middle
town, and, after finding the note, he caused
thorough investigation of Miss Farrell's case to
be made. the result being her discharge from
the institution.