The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-01-22
COLONEL CHAMBERLAIN INSANE
Once a Prominent Republican
Politician.
His Political Downfall and Social
Disgrace.
The Ex-United States Bank Exam
liner Being CARED for Prl-
vateIy at st. He
lena.

brain which in many a French novel
has led to dreadful climax. The inor-
dinate use of champagne has dethroned
the reason OF multitude OF bright men,
but to absinthe can be attributed more
cases Of insanity. It is not only dead
lier when its influence mounts to the
seat Of the soul, but. being cheaper, it is
more easily procured. William II.
Chamberlin drank this decoction Of
brandy and wormwood to excess. He
had position that thousands envied.
He was we'll connected socially; polite
ally. he was prosperous; he was hand
some of face and vigorous in physique;
he had loving wife and a happy home
his name was sounded with praises; and
now, disgraced in reputation and
wrecked in health, his mind has disap-
peared and he is being cared for as
lunatie.
Colonel Chamberlain-he bore the
title because of his position in the Ma
tional guard-was one of the leaders OF
the Dirigo club, and was chosen the first
president of the Union League club
when the Dirigo organization changed
its name. He organized the California
branch of the National league OF Repub-
lican clubs, having been selected for the
work by General Clarkson. He was q
candidate for the Office of postmaster of
this city when Harrison was elected
president, but, not securing the place,
he was appointed national bank exami-
ner, in which position he was allowed to
make fees to the amount OF $4,000 q
year. He was looked upon as having
fine political destiny. Suddenly the
prospect changed. He was removed
from the Office OF examiner because
he had not attended to his duties
and had got money from the
banks which he was delegated to over
look in the interest of the public. He
waa sued for about 5000 because of his
connection with the national league OF
Republican clubs. It was discovered
that about $500 had in some way been
misappropriated during his presidency
of the Union League club. He was
sued for the sum found due. A civil
action was instituted against him by
one of the national banks on promis-
cory notes which had been cashed for
him on account of his authority as
examiner. Judgment was obtained in
some Of the numerous suits in which he
was named as defendant. The action Of
the Union League CLUB was comprom-
ised, friends paying part of the sum Tor
which he was delinquent. He did not
have a cent. The suit has not been
dismissed, though.
A year ago he was taken to st. Helena
to recuperate. o. J. Preston of the rich
| lumber firm of Preston & McKennon is
| hie fsther-in-law, and his mother, who
resides in Oakland, has some means.
! Consequently he received excellent med
ical treatment in Napa county, but the
decay of his brain was not arrested. He
got gradually worse, and now he is
undergoing the restraint of an insane
| man. Nobody has ever recovered from
paresis, and there is no expectation that
Colonel Chamberlain will be an excep-
ton to the rule.
| since he left school. His father, who
was long register OF the United States
land Office in this city, supplied him with
Transcript over dozen years ago, but
he did not succeed as an editor, not
getting enough dollars to pay his en-
ployees. He was then about 25 years
Of age. A position in the Office of the
| Southern Pacific railroad company was
| secured for him, and apparently he was
in receipt OF good salary there. He
was fond of military dress and endeav-
ored to get the appointment Of adju-
tsnt-general in 1882. The place was
conferred on General Sheehan, who
was willing to make Colonel Chamber
lain his assistant, but out of delicacy re-
| Trained from unbosoming himself.
Colonel Chamberlain afterwards told
him that he would have accepted the
title of assistant Acknowledgements had
it been offered him. Then came the
Blaine campaign, in which Colonel
Chamberlain showed his military &C.
complishments as drill master of the
Dirigos. Thenceforward he had local
Pnote.
Gentlemen who were intimate with
him here have been aware of his men
tai condition for some time, but out of
regard for his relatives have spoken
cautiously on the subject. Friendship
for him has waned. Those who were
his best friends keep silent when he is
talked of; they have nothing in his
favor to utter.
As he was not an extravaganza Hpender
in the company of his usual associates
at the club-rooms or elsewhere, 1t was
supposed that he did not have any vices,
and when his downfall came surprise
was expressed as to what he could have
done with the money which had not
been accounted for. 1t was gradually
learned that his habits were not
30 temperate as many had
thought. The failure of the
California National bank of San Diego
brought the neglect of his duties to the
attention of his superiors at Washing
ton, and his removal soon followed.
The district over which he had charge
as examiner included California, Ne
vada, Utah and Colorado. 1t became
apparent that he had not given the eu-
pervieion to the banks in this territory
which WAS necessary to prevent fraud.
| He got favors from some of the banks,
| which discounted his notes.
The votaries of absinthe have tired
look. Colonel Chamberlain got into the
habit Of excusing the weary appearance
of his face by telling his acquaintance
that he had been kept up until the
small hours of the morning porting over
the books OF bank. They chided him
on his devotion to work, but his plea
was that he could not avoid the strain.
By temperament he was restless, and he
did exert his nervous force, but insidu-
GUS draughts were the main cause of his
| physical and mental breakdown.