St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-04-11
The DOCTORS DIFFER
Anna Dickinson's Case Re-
viewed by an Insanity
Expert.
The Famous and Brilliant
Lady as She Appeared in
the Asylum.
Confused and Excited, She
Refuses to Talk to the
Doctors.
Miss Wizards Views and
Opinions Regarding Anna
and Her Sister.

piiiu DDA SiCldliS anu OlllCldlS hclt COll-
serncd in the injustice done her. is Off
fially and particularly denied here.
The letter, which Miss Dickinson says
Jhe sent 20 the chairman and secretary
IF the state board of charities, Drs.
Thomas G.. Morton and Henry NJ.
Netherill, of this city, was received by
Dir. Wetherill. who visited her immedi-
having shown it to DR.. Morton. Thomas
Barlow, the attorney of the board, ac-
sompanled DR.. Wetherill to DanvilIe.
In telling OF the visit, DR.. Wetherill to-
lay said: I'VE found Miss Dckn-
Jon installed in the most com
Portable ward of the whole institution.
The DanVille asylum, like other state
aSylumS. is Overcrowded, but only on
the mems side. There is room among
The women still for the comfortable ac-
eomlnodatiOn of a number of new pa
tients. Miss DickinSon's ward has a
handsome parlor and a large dining
room. Her room itself looked out upon
a beautiful view, was tastefully fur
nished, and had pictures. mirrors and
every decoration and appurtenanc.
that refined woman could desire. 1t
had all been put in order by the at
PENDANTS couple of hours prior to our
arrival. Yet it was already in such a
condition as is always found i'll the
apartments of persons
Violently or AcuteIy Deranged.
1t was confused and upset and in
keeping with Miss DickinSOn's appear
Rnce and manner. The interview was
necessarily brief, because she declined
to talk to us, or, at best, would say very
little. When not actually talking to US
she walked eXcitedly up and down the
room giving uIteTance to incoherent
words and phrases, acting in exactly the
manner that insane people are accuS-
toned to act. She told us that she was
sane and that DR.. Schultz, the superin-
tendent, suppressed her letters | told
her of our receipt of the letter she
mailed to us and that we had forwarded
to Howe IL Hummel, of New York. the
letter which she had incosed addressed
to that law firm. Mr.. Barlow did, as
she states. request her to sit down
quietly and talk 1t over, but he said
nothing about anticipating legal pro-
ceedingS, as she charges. Indeed, | am
positive that neither Mr. Barlow nor [
had any idea in mind regarding legal
proceedings. Very little more was said.
because she declined TO talk, walking
the floor in
eSTeat Excitement.
and reiterating that her lawyers had the
matter in their hands. On inquiry of
DR.. Schultz afterward what he thought
of her condition. he said it was his medi-
cal opinion that it was case of acute
insanity, but she had begun to improve
during her brief residence in the hos
pital.
In reply to the query as to what his
opinion Was at the time, DR.. Wetherill
said: Neither Mir. Barlow nor myself
had the slightest doubt but that she
was deranged. | have been studying
the medical aspect Of insanity since
1870 and Mr.. Barlow has been inter
ested in it. from Il legal standpoint,
since 1873"
''Do YOU say officially, and do you
stake your professional reputation on
Miss Dickinson's insanity while she was
in Danville?''
Yes, there Is no doubt about it what
ever
From a perusal of her story and
from your knowledge of her case. do
you think she is entirely sane now?''
"SDeakng from what | saw of her
only, will say that it is very probable
that she is insane at the present time.
DIR. Seward, of New York, | see,
VOucheS for
EIsc Opposite View
of her case. and, in the absence of an
other examination of Miss Dickinson. |
cannot speak positively of her condi-
ton"
She was released from the asylum
on discharge papers. and says that if
she returns to Pennsylvania she is liable
to rearreSt and incarceration. Is that
truce"
lit is not. OF course, if she were
manifestly insane and dangerous she
could be restrained for the safety of the
public. But the whole case would have
to be begun all over. The commitment
and examination would have to be
maIe all over again, and would be an
entirely new case. Miss Dickinson
now, in Pennsylvania. is as free as air.
aud can no more be deprive of her
liberty or placed under restraint than
You or l."
Frances Wizards Views.
CHICAGO, April 1O.-'I really do not
know what to make OF the report in re-
gard to the unjust incarceration of Anna
Dickinson" said Miss Frances E. Will
ard. president Of the Worlds Woman's
Christian Temperance Union to-day.
II have no authoritative information
upon which to base hypothesis" con-
tnued Miss Willard, land | was never
Ill my life more aStOniShed than when |
read the statement. What | do know is
that have been acquainted with Susan
+. Dickinson, Annals sister, for the last
fifteen years, and that to my knowledge
she has been most generous. faithful
and also beloved sister. There was the
most loving relations between the two
sisters, and have regarded Susan as the
lhalnStaY of the family. Anna was al
ways erratic, but Susan went on in the
even tenor OF her way and was always
to be counted upon. Susan has always
belonged to the society of Hicksite
Friends, and has been most conscien-
tious, high-minded christian woman.
/ could not believe Susan Dickinson
capable OF the base conduct attributed
to her under any circumstances, but
really, L don't see what she could hone
10 gain by such course. The plan for
the fund which we hope to raise is that
ii shall be placed in the hands of
trustees and that only the interest shall
be paid to Anna Dickinson, and that it
shall be kept as ii permanent fund for
tie purpose of aiding any woman who
has
Given EEerLiGe
to the public and is no longer able to
care for herself. Here are two letters
from Susan E. Dickinson which L re-
ceived recently" said Miss Willard.
In the one dated April she tells me
of Annas' removal, and says: L could
not 90 with her. because, as is so usual
III such cases. she turned suddenly and
violently against me, and until / have
the assurance that it is better instead of
worse for her to see me l shall watt
In the same letter she speaks with con
fdence of what she hopes will be the re-
suit OF her being under DIR. Frederick
". Stewards care and tells of a lady
who was similarly affected and who was
perfectly cured by his treatment"
Miss Susan closed this letter of April
3 to Miss Willard with: How earnestly
l thank you for all you are doing, and
Tor all your tributes to Anna in what
you write have 10 adequate words To