Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-03-24
FOR INSANE PEOPLE.
" Is FoH THEM ALONE THAT WE
HAVE ASYLUMS.
30 Says the Supreme Court OF Appeals In
h statasm Csss-Opinicps Rem
dered acknowledgements.

Avery novel case was decided in tho
Supreme Court of Appeals yesterday
morning. 1t was that OF Statbam against
Blackford, superintendent, and others.
This was an appeal from a decree
OF the Citcuit Court of the city OF
L~ynchburg. The petition Of Mrs. Maria
V. Statham asked for a peremptory writ OF
inandamus against DIR. Benjamin Black
ford. Superintendent OF the Western In
sane Asylum Allen W. Talley. tho peti.
toners committee. and William w. aud
Mary Statham, and sought 10 have a dis
charge from the asylum. Briefly. the
case seems 10 have been II IN which
Mrs. Statham, shortly after the death
oil her husband. was sent TO the asylum
q writ from tho County Court of Az
pomattox adjudginc her insane. which writ
was obtained by her son and daughter.
William and Mary Statham. These pro
ceedings were taken without any Know
ledge on tho part of Mrs. Statham and
without any defence from her. She had
considerable property. which was turned
over 10 q committee, Allen w. laliey, VINO
was appointed by the Court.
STILL UNDER THE AsYLUM's CoNTRoL.
Subsequently tho petitioner was granted
O furlough by the Board of Directors OF
the asylum and sent to L~ynchburC, where
she resided az the home of her son. The
dispositions Of several physicians snow
that from that time she has appeared TO
be IN perfectly sane condition.. she APP
piled TO DIR. blackboard for her discharge.
but he refused 10 see her and stated that
he still held her under the jurisdiction OF
the asylum az the request Of her son ana
daughter, William W. and Mary Statbaln,
and her committee. Mr.. Ialley. Tho
Superintendent also said that he hhd been
informed that she had parOXysms or re-
current mama. Ihe petitioner therefore
prayed that "A mandarin. be granted 10
her and that the parties defendant he re-
CURED TO show cause against nor PRAYER
that the question Of her sanity might Do
properly tried by the court and by, a
Jury, If necessary. 70 this petition all the
defendants dcmurrcd, and the ClTcult
Court sustained the demuTrors.
DTCIsIoS or TIE COURT.
The Supreme Court Of Appeals reverses
tho decree OF the lower tribunal and or
dcrs the issuance of q writ IN accordance
with tho petition. II taxes the Iigh
ground hat a. II Is admitted that pits.
Statham IS sane and Is only detained be
cause her children. William and Mary, ana
tho committee wish u, size Is entitled 10
her discharge and a proper ~certhcate.
II SAYS. In a case Ike tins the
court ought not 10 lend n ready ear
10 ANYTHING but tie very .rlsht.'
The opinion asserts positively that the
asylum is the place FOR insane and hot
sane persons, and * therefore no place
for those Of sound mind. 4 rule against
the Superintendent of the Western Insane
ASYLUM was dismissed. The opinion was
prepared bv Judge Lacy and concuTred IN
by Judges Hinton and Fauutler0y. Judges
Lewis aud Richardson dlsscnted.
Other Opinions Bondered.
Trumbo's administrator against CITY
Street-Car Company. From tho Circuit
Court OF Augusta county. AinrIneu.
Judge Lewis delivering opinion.
Eoach against Blakcy. From the Cir
cult Court of Greene county. AihImed,
Judge Lacy delivering opinion.
Saunders against lrunty. From theClr-
cunt Court OF Franklin county. Affirmed,
Judge Iauntlcroy delivering opinion.
Harris against Harris. From the Circuit
Court 81 Alhcmarle county. Reversed,
Judge Hinton delIy ring opinion.
NorfoiS and Western Ka lrOad Company
against Torrcncc's administrator. Fur
thcr argued by t.. B. POOre. Esq, for de
feudqn; IN error and Judge W. n. Mann
for plaintiff III error and submitted.
Richmond and DanvIlle Railroad Com.
pany against lcamHns. Argued by Cap
tala Charles VI. Blockforl Tor plaintiff III
error and Il. ". Pea;ross for defendant IN
error.