The record-union., 1891-04-11
MISS ANNA DICKINSON.
THAT HER COMMITMENT WAS IR-
REGULAR IS DENIED.
No Credence Put in the Story That She
Has Been Mistreated by
Her Sister.
Special to the REcoRD-UN1oN.

ORSSl1a W tue
PHILADELPHIA, April 1O.-The story
that Anna Dickinson was a sane woman
when she was committed to the Danville
Insane Asylum, and that her commit
mltment was irregular; that the State
lunacy laws were in her case fiagrantly
violated, and that Philadelphia physicians
and officials were concerned in the in
justice done her, is officially and particu-
larly denied here.
The letter which Miss Dickinson saws
she sent to the Chairman and Secretary
of the State Board of Charities-Doctors
Morton and Wetherill of this city-was
received by DIR. Wetherill, who visited
her Immediately in company with the
attorney of the board, Mr.. Barlow.
DIR. Wetherill to-day said: 1--WE found
Miss Dickinson installed in the most
comfortable ward of the whole institu-
ton. Our interview was necessarily
brief, because she declined to talk to us,
or at least would say very little. When
not actually talking to us, she walked
excitedly up and down the room, giving
utterance to incoherent words and
phrases, and acting exactly in the manner
insane people are accustomed to act,
Neither Mr.. Barlow, DIR. Schultz nor
myself had the slightest doubt that She
was deranged."
From perusal of her story and from
knowledge of her case, do you think
she is entirely sane now?''
Speaking from what 1 saw of her only,
l will say that it is very probable she is
insane at the present time. DIR. Seward
of New York vouches for the opposite
view of the case, and in the absence of
another examination of Miss Dickinson
| - L.
dition.''
VICTIM OF BASELESS DELUsIoN,
CHICAGO, April 10-Miss Frances r.
Willard, President of the National
Women's Christian Temperance Union.
said to-day that she did not know what to
make OF the report in regard to the unjust
incarceration of Anna Dickinson, She
does know that, of her own knowledge.
Susan Dickinson has been a most gen
erous, faithful and loving sister. She has
always been regarded as a most consci-
entlous, high-minded Christian woman.
Miss Willard could not believe that Su-
san Dickinson was capable of the base
conduct attributed to her, and does not
see what she could hope to gain by such
a course.
The plan for the fund which is being
raised is that it should be placed in the
hands of trustees, only the interest to be
paid to Anna Dickinson, and that it shall
be kept as permanent fund for the pur-
pose of aiding any woman who has given
her life to the public and is no longer able
TO care for herself.
Miss Willard has two letters of recent
date from Susan Dickinson, in one of
which she speaks of Anna having sud-
denly and violently turned against her.
as is usual in such cases. Miss Willard
thinks Anna Dickinson is the victim of q
baseless delusion.
MISS SUSAN DICKINSON.
SCRANTON, (Pa.), April IO.-Miss Susan
Dickinson was in this city to-day in con-
sultation with friends relative to the
statements made by her sister to a re-
porter in New York. Miss Dickinson
said she had telegraphed DR.. Seward that
he would be held in damages for the in
jury he is doing her sisters mind, con-
tlrming her delusion, and also that
friends in West Pittston and vicinity will
testify that she has devoted her life for
years to the welfare and interests of
Anna.
She answers all charges made against
her by Anna, and says the latter has
been demented for some time, but it was
only when she became violent that she
concluded to have her placed in an
asylum. She says Anna was not roughly
treated.
In conclusion, Susan says she sees now
that her friends told her truly when they
said she was foolish to devote her life to
Anna. Hereafter Anna must find faithful
servants wherever she can.
Miss Susan does no explain why. when
the Scranton Republican first gave to the
world the story of her sisters insanity.
she sent strongly worded denial of it to
every paper in this region, claiming that
the report was cruel outrage.