The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-06-29
Peculiar Phase of Gen. A. B.
CampbeIl's Lunacy.
BroOding Over His Wife's Death
Coupled With RemOrse
HIS MIND.
Particulars as Told In a Los
Angeles Paper.
He Became Raving Violent and
Dangerous.

following account Of General A. T.
CampbelPs lunacy:
General A. B. Campbell, the vel
known attorney and political orator.
was taken to the county jail last night
while laboring under tremendous men
tai excitement, which is believed to
have been superinduced by Droodlng
over the death of ms wife ana only
son, and his belief in spiritual com
muniOn with them since they died On
Saturday night he delivered a speech
at Hazards pavilion during the Nc
kipley ratification, which was far from
being up TO his usual standard, and it
helped TO upset him.
For the last three weeks the general
has been somewhat affected mentally
and 1t would cause him to become bOis-
ferrous at times. At 1890 yesterday
evening he rushed out of his lodgings
on Spring street. near Eighth, and be-
gan to rant in loud voice on the side
walk He offered violence to several
people who We're near by, and it was
only after a severe struggle that he was
handcuhed by officer FOwle and con
veyed in the patrol wagon to the cOun-
ty jail where he was booked for in
sanity
He was shouting at times during the
night end would occasionally become
quiet after his violent OratOrica1 efforts
Today his condition was the same and
his rawlings brought many people to the
outside of the county jail, where he
could be heard at times half 2 block
away. These parOxysns came and van
ished, and when not affected ne spoke
quite nationally but it was easy to be
seen that he used the cunning and self
control which maniaCs are so apt to be
endowed with.
General Campbell was brought into
the court room in his shirt sleeves at
noon. His hands were confined in
mufIs- He was exceedingly quiet I'm
Ger Sheriff Clements accompanied the
unfortunate man. When Judge Smith
entered, General Campbell quietly re-
Quested to be permitted to say q few
words before the case was heard. ard
thon proceeded to answer very ration
ally all preliminary questions. He said
that his father had suffered on several
occasions from mela1chciia mania and
had died While so affected ct the age
of g. The general said he himself had
never suffered from nervous troubles
and had none now.
DR.. futile testified that he had gone
to the house of M Young at AIhan-
bra in response TO a telephone message
on sunday night and found Mr.. Camp
/ bell in his night shirt. raving Violently
he brought him back after giving him
some bromide The doctor testified TO
several other attacks of violence Which
had overcome his patient on subsequent
occasions General Campbell listened
attentively to this testimony and vol
unteered the statement that he ascrib-
ed his trouble to fatuIence, of which he
has been q sufferer for twenty-five
years The general then cross-exagn-
med the witness ably enough and
wound up by asking him if ne believed
him insane The answer was. Yes.
sir upon which the cross examiner re
/ Piled that that was what he wanted to
know Considering the violent manner
ir which Campbell had been raving q
few minutes before in the county Jail
mis- self control appeared wonderful.
DR.. Campbell. the county coroner.
next testified that he had understood
the general to tell him yesterday that
he was under the influence of his dead
Wlfe's spirit. Otherwise he appeared
quite rational. In the evening the pa
tient became very excited over what he
called the occult power" but he quiet
ed down and they finally walked out to
supper me general went home and
the coroner soon followed. where he
found the patient extremely violent
and handling young man rather
roughly. When DR. Campbell told that
General Campbell had great facial mus
cular control and could initiate the face
of his deceased wife,the patients cross
examination was directed to make it
/ appear that the doctor also believed
that when he had seen the generals
: face reflected in the looking GLASS he
/ had honestly taken it for the deceased
/ lady S. There lies the secret of the
I generals alteration of mind and it
/ very nearly caused his caution to be
! overcome by his earnestness while
/ questioning DR.. Campbell He Quoted
/ down Immediately
When the evidence vas concluded
/ General Campbell requested permission
/ to talk privately to judge Smith and
1 was taken into his chambers He re
Quested that the muffs be taken off his
] hands, but it was thought prudent not
I to do so, as q DarOyysm might over
come him suddenly When he returned
to the court room he addressed the
| medical examiners and proposed to
I show if his hands We're released that he
] is under the control of spirits and yet
J not insane. He promised TO refrain
4 from violent acts if not molested
The matter was left with Under Sher-
/ ifr Clement, who did not consider it
I wise to do so. Then General Camp
! bell went into a dissertation on spirit
] ual control. under which he claims to
/ have acted for the last six months.
/ Spirits. he said. wrote his correspond
/ ence and did all his work for him. He
could bring the faces Of his familiar
4 spirits before his audience. If he could
do that the court would be convinced
4 that he was not insane. If he could
I was excellent and the department very
] gentlemanIy 1T was soon apparent that
/ the poor general is non cOmpOs mentis
| at present. at least, and labOring under
! hallucinatiOns.
The case excited great interest and
\ the court room was fun of people.
/ Judge Van Dyke came in early during
4 Smith and listened with great atten-
/ ton to General Campbells expose.
] While telling his story the general tried
I to hypnotic DR.. AinsWOrth. one of the
/ medical examiners. and seemed quite
disappointed that he did not succeed.
There being no doubt about Camp
J belPs lunacy. he was ordered to High
lands The certificate was signed By
/ Drs- Ainsworth, COchrane and Brain
/ erd.
Free Silver Convention.