The record-union., 1897-10-14
JOHN ARMSTRONG CHANLER.
AMELIE RIVES' DIVORCED HUS-
BAND INSANE.
Believes Himself the Incarna-
ton of Napoleon and That He
Would Win at Monte Carlo.

NEW YORK, OCT. I0.-JOnn AIIu-
strong Chanler, the divorced husband
of Amelie Rives. ana great grandson
of John Jacob Astor, is reported to be
insane in the Bloomingdale Asylum
Mr. Chanler left the city suddenly last
spring, and it was said by his friends
that he had gone to Europe. The fact
has leaked out that he was in Bloom
ingdale under treatment.
1t is deuied by his friends that Mr.
Chanler is insane, or that his mind is
affected in the least. He was taken to
Bloomingdale, these friends assert, to
gain a much-needed rest and treat
ment for nervous disorders. The affec-
ton of his nerves ard a general physi-
cal breakdown was due, they say, to
overwork
Harry Van Ness Phillips, his law
partner, and closest friend, said of his
illness to-day: THE report of Mr..
Chanler's insanity IS entirely unfound-
ed. 1 saw him yesterday. and con-
versed with him on business matters,
and he conversed in a perfectly ra
tional manner. His mind is not affect
ed in the least. Mr.. Chanler was sim
ply broken down in health, and went
to this retreat for rest and treatment.
He is now much improved"
Mr. Chanler inherited an income from
the Astor estate of more than $4,000 a
year. He was educated at Columbia
and Rugby, and has spent much of his
time since attaining his majority in
Europe. He is a member of nearly all
the clubs of New York. He married
Amelie Rives, the authoress, in 1888.
and the couple spent a long time
abroad. They were divorced in 1895.
The Evening World to-day pub
fishes an article signed by Arthur Bris-
ben, which says in part:
MIR Chanler was confined against his
will on an order issued in the regular
way by the court. Mr.. Chanler's fami
ly, in committing him, acted upon the
advice of physicians, and especially
upon the advice of the doctor who
had been for many years Mr.. Chanler's
regular physician. They also acted
upon the advice of DR.. Starr, a special
ist in mental diseases, and who signed
the application for Mr.. Chanler's COM
mitment. Mr. Chanler was committed,
not because of any overt act demon
strating insanity, hut because of the
fear of his relatives that his mental
condition might result at any time in
some violent outbreak.
soon after Mr. Chanler's commit
ment Senator David B. Hill, who has
known him for some time, paid him a
visit at Bloomingdale. Senator Hill,
after a long interview, decided that it
would be better not to interfere in the
matter.
''Mr. Chanler is not violent lunatic,
but it is alleged is subject to hallucina-
tions. Statements which formed the
basis of his commitment and halIuci-
nations included the belief that he hal
succeeded by will power in changing
the shape of his face and the color of
his eyes, believing himself to be the
reincarnation Of Napoleon, and that he
would make a great fortune by sys-
tenn Of play at the Monte Carlo gam
bling tables The affidavit upon which
he was committed AYERS that he was a
victim Of the hallucinations suggested
above, and furthermore that there was
insanity in his family-an aunt having
at one time been insane.
Mr. Chanler's main grievance and his
greatest objection to his commitment
follows: He declares that he is a res
ident Of Virginia, not of New York, and
that his commitment is Illegal in that
way. He further alleges that he was
lured to New York from Vfrginia--kid-
naped is the ter unused, although he
admits that it was done by well-mean-
ing but misinformed friends.
Mr.. Chanler's relatives and friends
entertain belief that he viii soon be
removed from Bloomingdale, possibly
to go abroad in the hands of careful
nurses and physicians.