The morning call., 1893-06-15
AN ASYLUM TALE.
A San Diego Settler Sent
to Napa.
is INSANITY DOUBTFUL.
The Curious Case of a Land Pre-
emptor in the Southern Part
of the State.

Some parties in San Diego County have
discovered brand-new way to get
settler off a pre-emption Claim, II all ac
counts be correct.
The settler who had the experime ent tried
on him is l.. w. Laab, an inn nnocent-lookinG
German.
The steamship Santa Rosa. which ar
rived in port last week. brought Laab tI
San Francisco in care of the steerage stew
ard. He was On his way 10 the Napa In.
sane Asylum, and therein lies the story.
Several years ago LaaD located claim
near San Diego consisting OF 100 acres Of
Government land.
1t was a fertile piece of ground and
Laab planted out an orchard, built house.
barn and chicken yards and settled down
TO live IN peace the remainder of his days
One of his neighbors, 1t is claimed
always had longing for Laabs posses
slons and desired to come into their own
erShlp. lie made several offers to Laab
which were promptly refused. Reports
were IN circulation soon after this that
Laab was crazy and liable to do his neigh
Dors bodily harm If not taken into custody.
A great many people believed that Laa
really was insane and stunned him on
every occasion. Reports were also circu-
lated that he was dangerous and would
ties did not arrest him.
Laab pleaded that insanity was not
hereditary in his family, aud that he had
no more idea of killing anybody than an
innocent child.
Notwithstanding his protests the Sheriff
OF San Diego suddenly appeared on the
Laab presumption one day and took the
German into custody. Laab was spirited
away to san Diego, fined in cell in the
county Jail, fed on crackers and water and
treated ike common criminal until the
Santa Rosa arrived in San Diego Bay.
In spite OF the fact that Laab was alleged
TO be very dangerous man the Sheriff
had no hesitation IN turning him over to
the steamers Steerage steward, with in
structi0ns to the latter 10 deliver the pris-
ouer 10 the authorities OF the State Insane
Asylum. who would meet the Santa Rosa
at the wharf in this city.
Laab was by no means violent when
taken on board the steamer, although he
vehemently declared that he would make
it warm for his enemies when he OBJ
tanned his rights.
This is Laab's side Of the story, given
by dlsinierested witnesses, among whom
are several members of the Santa Rosa's
crew.
On the trip to San Francisco Laab con-
Quoted himself IN the steerage as any sane
man would. Before his departure for
Napa. on arrival in this city, he invited
the officer who took him in charge at the
wharf into an adjacent saloon for a drink.
While IN this saloon Laab made very
clear statement Of his case to a number OF
bystanders. His custodian assured him
that on arrival at Napa his case would be
Investigated Immediately.
1t was evident from all appearances thai
the German was no more insane than
any of those present. He recijed in
concise manner his trouble and stated
that the whole scheme was Job TO rail-
road him 10 the insane asylum, SO that a
dummy could jump his claim.
-Four months ago Laa6 invested several
hundred dollars IN number OF chickens
and also purchased stock. His home is
estimated to be worth several thousand
dollars, and if placed under cultivation
would be very valuable piece of property.
as 1t includes some of the richest land in
San Diego County
At the asylum in Napa the managing
physician gave it as his opinion that Laab
was not insane and assured him that he
would have his rights restored as soon as
an investigation could be made.
1t Is possible that Laab NAV have been
Temporarily insane, and that it was per-
tectly proper to send him out of the county.
but OF course ;hat will have to be proved
by the testimony 10 follow, as will also
Laab'S version OF the affair.