New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-21
ODONOHUE TURNED LOOSE.
AN INSANE MAN ALLOWED TO LEAVE
BELLEVUE.

RESULT OF THE CONTROVERSY BETWEEN THE
AGERs OF THE MANHATTAN STATE HOS
PITAL OVER THE CLEAN-CLOTHES
oUEsTIoN-REFUsED BY BOTH
INSTITUTIONS.
As result OF the controversy between the
Commissioners of Charities and the managers of
the Manhattan State Hospital. an insane man
was last night turned from the gates of Bellevue
Hospital into the streets of the city, and at last
accounts was roaming at large no one knew
where. The patient thus treated was the man In
whose case Justice MacLean had issued man.
damus, compelling the managers of the Man.
haitian State Hospital to disregard the rule OF
the State Commission IN Lunacy and to receive
him without new clothing
The controversy the custody Of the man
who was wanted at neither hospital at one time
reached stage In which the proceedings were
worthy OF a comic opera. All the doors and
gates OF the Bellevue Hospital grounds were
closed and barred, and the warden and his at
tendants stood guard as If the hospital was in a
state Of siege. The man who had been adjudged
insane was technically at liberty for time. and
he showed that he at least had some sense when
himself out OF the way.
Justice MacLean on Thursday granted the
mandamus which George l. Sterling the As
sstant Counsel to the Corporation. had asked
for but while 1t declared taa1 ti.s managers OF
the Manhattan State Hospital must receive p. j.
O'Donohue. one OF the insane patients at Belle
vue provided his body was clean and his clothing
was comfortable and free from disease germs.
there was n difference Of opinion among the law
yers "a to the application OF the rule about new
clothing to the other insane patients at Belle
vue The case OF O'Donohue had been made a
test case but Clarence J. Francis. who repre-
sented the Attorney-Genera in opposing the ap-
plicat ation for the mandamus said that similar
proceedings would have to be taken in every case.
ODONOHUEs ILLUSION
O'Donohue. who is said to be harmless and
enough when he is not hungry. Is the man
who was adjudged insane because he wrote
letters TO prominent Hebrews in the city de-
clarIng that he ought to be supported by them
because he had mark on his heel which
showed that he had been used to bruise the head
OF the serpent. and was. therefore. Ewes heel.
Mr. Francis on Thursday afternoon gave notice
to the Corporation Counsel that an appeal would
be taken from the decision OF Justice MacLean
in the case OF O'Donohue. and early yesterday
formal notice OF appeal served on the
County Clerk. Mr.. Francis said the notice
acted as a stay. pending the appeal and that
the Commissioners OF Charities could not en-
force the mAndamus In the mean time. Mr..
Sterling however. appeared to take a different
view Of the case. Acting by his advice the
Commissioners OF Charities gave orders 10 have
O'Donohuc packed off to the Manhattan State
Hospital
DR. Russell OF Bellevue Hospital. put Opono-
hue in,o launch and steamed up the East
River to Wards Island hour before noon.
when he arrived at the Manhattan State Hos
pltal with the patient he learned that DR.. A. h.
Macdonald. the superintendent OF the institu-
tion. was in the city consulting with Mr.. Fran
els Or Macy. who was temporarily in charge
OF the institution. did not dare To refuse TO re-
ceive O'DonChue when the mandamus was
shown by Or Russell. but he allowed the pa
tlent To remain In the institution under pro-
test. and said he might send him beck to Belle
vue again II he received orders TO that effect
from DR.. Macdonald.
PREPARING FOR ACTION.
DR. Russell returned to Bellevue Hospital with
flying colors. but soon Warden Murphy OF
Bellevue received Information that DR.. Macy
had had orders to send O'Donohue back. Mr..
Murphy talked with the Commissioners or
Charities over the telephone, and the Commis-
sioners called up Mr.. Sterling and talked with
him Then the Commissioners commanded the
Warden to take measures to prevent the re-
turn Of O'Donohuc TO Bellevue. At the time
the order was given President Croft said to
Tribune reporter:
I'VE are advised by the Corporation Counsel
that the notice OF an appeal In the case does nVt
.t1,s th.
Hospital people will have to obey the mandamus
In case OF an appeal the party appealing must
give a bond In twice the amount inVolVed anu
i'm such a case as this no amount can be given
The mandamus will hold until after the appeal
We have ordered the Warden not to allow
O'Donohue 10 be admitted 10 any part OF the
Bellevue Hospital grounds"
AT bellevue Hospital Warden Murphy deployed
his forces 10 resist invasion. All entrances 10
the grounds except the main gate In twenty
sixth-st.. were closed fast ana parred secureiy
The main gate was shut also. but attendants
were placed on guard there to admit ana let out
people who could not be suspected OF pelhg III
league with the enemy. ATTENDANTS were sta
toned TO patrol the river front. lest boat from
Wards Island might unexpectedly land ODono-
hue there Then there was spell OF waiting
and breathless suspense
ARRIVAL OF THE ENEMY.
About 4 u. m the steamer Aurora from Wards
Island was sighted by the watchers on the river
front The boat was heading for the dock at
Thirty -frst-st. instead OF the regular pier at
Twenty -sixth-st.. nrd when she touched at the
Thirty -frst-s dock and O'Donohue was taken
ashore by two attendants OF the state Hospital,
the men OF the Bellevue force felt that the time
for conflict was near at hand. Deputy warden
Rickard posted himself on the sidewalk In front
OF the gate In Twenty -sixth-st and waited Ihe
two attendants who had hold Of ODonohue
walked To First ave. stopped In a candy store
with the possible design Of avoiding suspicion,
and then marched boldly for the gate In twenty
You can't come I'm here" said Mr.. Rickard
with a grin. .,
I'VE want to see the Warden In person. said
Richard McCue the head attendant
MIR RIcka rd sent for the Warden, and when
Mr. Murphy appeared at the gate McCue said
10 him: mir. Warden. we are directed. by order
OF the Attorney General Of the state. TO deliver
this man to you Indicating ODonohue, with a
wave Of the hand). Here he Is. Take care OK
him."
II refuse to receive him. and am acting