The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-02-14
A Soldier Lunatlc.

Hospital for the Insane OF Western
Tennessee, the N. Y. Recorder has the
following:
Probably the most picturesque crazy
man in Tennessee is Gen. Thomas ?.
Smith, of Williamson county. Gen.
Smith was the youngest brigadier in
the Confederate army and was dash
ing soldier. At the battle of Frank
lin he received sabre cut on the head
from a federal trooper, and it wrecked
his mind. 1t was several years after
the war when he had his first delu-
sion. He imagined he was an Indian
chief, and in truth he looked like one
when he decked his long, black hair
with feathers, painted his face with
polkberry juice, and, mounted on
spirited horse and arm with long
hickory bow and culver of arrows,
went galloping over his estate. He
kept up that practice for several
months before he was confined. FL
nally he sent an arrow through the
arm of an inoffensive old man and
then tried to scalp him, and the au-
thorities broke up his fun.
He was sent to the asylum, and, as
his insanity was Of the intermittent
variety, he was a most estimable and
entertaining gentleman when sane.
He became great favorite with the
superintendent, DR.. Calendar, and his
wife. The General was made trusty
fer the keepers and soon learned to know
that his paroxysms Of insanity were
| always presaged by the delusion that
he was drilling regiment Of soldiers.
One afternoon he was noticed drill
ing his men in buckram, but he quiet
ed down and it was regarded as safe
to let him attend dinner given by
Dr.. and Mrs. Calendar. He took the
hostess into dinner, and after the
soup had been disposed Of, show.
ed her a butcher knife about two feet
long.
This sight sent the cold chills chas-
inc nm and down Mrs. Calendar s
back, but she realized that it would
never do to manifest any apprehen-
sion, so she dissembled and said
"Why, General, what are you going
to do with that big knife?''
ri am going to kill Calendar" re-
piled the General, complacently toy
ing with his fish.
Mrs. Calendar had more cold chills,
but she plucked up heart Of grace and
said imperiously:
s'Gen. Smith, I am surprised that a
gentleman of your culture should think
of being so rude as to kill another
gentleman in the presence Of lady" F"
"Pardon me, madam" said the Gen
eral, with courtly contrition. 81 had
forgotten it; but it probably would be
unpleasant for you to see me kill Cal
endar. He might bleed, and the sight
of blood is obnoxious to most ladies'
Pardon me, a'am. I'll put it off un-
til you retire." and the General re-
sumed the discussion Of his fish.
"Gen. Smith" F." said Mrs. Calendar,
"give me that knife
1T cannot, madam, said the
General, IT will have use far it pres
emily"
"Fie! Fie, General Do you forget
that a Southern gentleman never re-
fuses lady's request2'
IT am rebuked again, madam and
again beseech your PARDON replied
the martial lunatic, and he handed
| Mrs. Calendar the knife with the air
of Chesterfield, requesting her to be
sure and return it to him after
dinner, as he needed it to kill Calen-
dar.
Mrs. Calendar left the dining room
as soon as possible and, sending for
her husband, gave him the knife and
told him all what had happened.
Then her nerves gave way and she
tainted.
The General was secured after a
hard fight and had en- attack OF acute
insanity that lasted several weeks.
When he is himself Gen. Smith
likes to tell how he frightened a city
man who was hunting birds on the
asylum grounds. The General was a
trusty, and strolling up to the sports
man asked him "What luck?"
'None at ALL" replied the town
man, "1ny dog finds the birds all right
but can't hit en-"
The dog came to point just then
and the General, who was examining
the strangers gun, advanced, and as
the covey rose dropped bird with
each barrel.
The city sportsman was delighted.
"By Georgc!" said he ''you're bully
shot. Suppose we keep together and
you do the shooting and I'll furnish
the gun, and we will divide all the
game.
Gen. Smith had reloaded the gun
and, facing the stranger, said: My
friend, do you know who's got your
gun?"
"Why, no; who?' said the urban
Nimrod.
can escaped lunatic from that asy
lum over yonder,' replied the Gener