The Portland daily press., 1890-09-15
A SAD STORY FROM CALIFORNIA.
Henry p. Wood Sent to the Insane
Asylum.

The San Francisco Call and Chronicle of
Sunday. September 9TH. arrived here Satur-
day morning and tells this sad story in re-
gard to Mr.. Henry P. Wood. formerly of
this city:
Henry P. Wood. a prominent citizen of
San haiael, county seat 10 miles from San
francisco, senior partner OF the firm of
Wood, Christies0n & Co., was taken to San
Mateo today to DR.. Whiteville's private asy-
lum by j. z. Christieson to be treated for tie
hallucination that he has labored under for
the past two days, that somebody was try
ing to kill him by poison.
The trouble developed last Thursday.
While Wood was talking with some friends
he began suddenly to talk irrationally. He
was taken home and medical assistance
summoned. 1t was evident to the physic-
ians that the mans mind was affected al
though Wood was perfectly rational on ev-
cry subject except poisoning. He refused to
accept food of any. kind. On this subject
alone he was absolutely crazy. Friday he
was az ms ONCE Tor a short time. accom-
In business circles Wood has been regard
ca as one OF the ablest and most clear head
ed men In the county and his integrity is un-
doubted. He is native of Portland. Me-.
and 46 years of age. During the stock
prominent broker and member of the Pacific
Stock Exchange. He invested largely in
San Rafael property and his residence is one
OF the finest In that town. In 1886 Wood
again embarked in stock speculations but,
through the dishonesty of clerk in the firm
In which he was interested, he lost about
$4,000, which was only made good by Wood
mqrtgaging his San Rafael property.
Last Saturday, August 31st, Woods firm
offered a lot of choice San Rafael property at
auction, In which he was largely interested,
put the sale only resulted In the disposal of
lots to the amount of about 5000, while the
expenses OF the sale were about $1,000. This
worried him very much and it Is believed
that brooding over his troubles turned his
mind, for the sale should bave amounted to
over $25 000
Mr.. Woods eyesight has been bad for
long time, and at times 1t has been nearly
impossible for him to see. At the sale he
afsed kITrangely ana slipping up to constable
man! ~ as though in deadly fear. AS the per-
son pointed out was well-kuown and reputa-
BILE the officer thought this action rather
strange and uncalled for. There are num-
Der Of things now spoken of that went by
unn0ticed previously which go to show that
the mans mind has been losing its balance
for over week past.
There is general feeling of sympathy for
Mr.. Wood and his family in San Rafael, he
having q lovely wife and two interesting
children. A long needed rest may result in
his complete recovery and his restoration to
his family.
Mr.. Wood has visited Portland several
times since his taking up residence in
California. He is nonresident men,
Der Of the Cumberland Club and was
also a welcome guest there for, despite
the infrmty of poor eyesight, he was
always 50 bright and CHEEKY and instilled SO
much life and light into every coterie with
which he was associated, that one could
hardly realize how difficult it was for him to
seq what his nature could SO thoroughly
have appreciated. His hosts Of friends
here. will sympathise deeply with his wife,
who was Portland lady, who has met with
such a terrible calamity, and will trust his
affections will be but temporary.