Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-11-17


a long editorial on the case calculated to
excite public sympathy and to confirm the
suspicious which had been aroused. Some
parts OF that editorial now read curiousy.
For instance, the several theories as to the
disappearance were taken up, and first that
Humphrey has run away Granted for
moment But let us ask, what did he run
from, and where did he run TO? His home
relations were pleasant, his habits were
exemplary, his associations and work were
congenial There was no need for him 10
run away nor was there anything so lar as
is known that would make him desire TO
do so. The evidence that he is
voluntary exile from home hangs 10y a
slender thread Many other similar pub
LEGATIONS might be quoted
In the Legislature Of 1892.
The natural distress of the parents caus-
ed the case to be kept constantly in the
minds Of the Rutland people and when
the legislature of 1892 convened a still
more determined effort was made TO secure
an investigation by the state just about
that time the public suspicion had been re-
newedly aroused by the statements OF an
insane woman, Mrs. jackson by name,
who was for several years confined in the
BrattlebOro institution was afterward tax
en- to Waterbury, and was there discharged
as harmlessly insane person. After her
discharge her condition became very much
worse and she oracularly declared that she
knew all about Humphrey: he had been
stripped and horsewhipped for trivial
offence which he had committed, and had
then killed himself to cover his shame.
\ story was also revived of the death OF a
patient in the institution which had never
been reported, this patient having met a
violent death during the night at the hands
of another patient On this general basis
the case went 10 the legislature. 1t was
referred TO the committee on the insane,
composed OF members of both houses. who
summoned witnesses and heard evidence
at Montpelier, and made careful enquiry
and investigation upon their customary
visit 10 the institution at Brattleboro. In
their special report 10 the legislature the
committee carefully canvassed the whole
subject, including the sensational stories
mentioned. and in conclusion they said
eve fail TO ind evidence tending to show
a clue That would Justify the appointment
of a committee 10 make any further inyes-
tigatiou< or the appropriation of any
money for this purpose. We therefore rec
ommend that the petition be- dismissed
The case OF the elder Humphrey and his
wife excited much cOmmiseratiOn al Mont
pelier bur the ieyel-headed members of the
legislature plainly saw that there was moth
ing which called Tor action 10y the state or
which justified the accusations Of foul play
which had been SO freely made
Few observations.
Here the mystery ha, rested until
Arden Humphrey 20. good and ready TO
solve 10 himself. Whether the poor old
father whom he had distressed and i'm
pOyerishcd, saw him a Ions way of and
ran and feel. on his neck and kissed him.
We are not informed II is o. be hoped.
however, that in place of the fatted calf a
vigorous use OF the primitive single was
introduced. There ought To be law pro-
vidluC a term in the house of correction
for such al offence.
1t is TO bee said. in passing. that, while
Humphrey is 50 reticent since his return
the indications are that. in lea wing his best
clothes and his money, he meant TO have 10
appear that he had committed suicide
He had complained 20 his associates before
leaving that his father took al. his wages
and that he had got tired OF IT, The state
ment is now revived that this is why he
made break for liberty SO as To- con-
troll his own earnings. The reason loses
II, main force, however. when BE- is remem-
bered that he was very near his majority.
when no one could claim his wages
The noteworthy feature Of the case j.
that. although Humphrey was employed
outside the asylum. and had no connection
with the patients, and 1t was DO more
strange tina, he should disappear from
there than from the employ of any other
concern in Vermont, the public mind could
not be- disauuscd of the idea thai because
be- was employed al ar asylum his disar-
pearance was douby mystery and became
a state affair of which the state should
assume the responsibility
We had thought 60 pOin, the moral OF
this tale, but having finished the story j,
occurs 90 u, THAT j; has no moral unless
tn, reader has gathered j, as he has gone
along II. tomorrow. some employe OF thu
Bratteboro Retreat. or the State asylum al
Waterbury. were To choose 10 disappear
We suppose there would be the same story
Of creduiity and superstition over again
Human nature seems 10 bee built that way