The San Francisco call., 1897-10-17
That Appears to Be the
Condition of Mrs. Van
Duzen.
Arrested Because She Carried
$4457 in Coin on Her
Person.
Judge Hebbard Refused to Sign the
Commitment and Will Hear Fur
ther Testimony.

morning to be examined in regard 10 her
mental condition, the courtroom was
filled with people who presumably were
her friends, so anxious were many OF
them to offer her some consolation or
assistance.
Mrs. Van Duzen, who is over 20 years of
age, was arrested on Friday evening for
having $4457 on her person while wearin G
ragged and dirty dress. 1t was intlmated
tha: she had begged on the streets, but
there was no direct testimony 10 that
effect.
The charge against her was insanity,
and it was made by an attorney named
Tomsky, who tried to justify himself by
explaining that he holds a judgment for
a boui $500 againt Mrs. Van Duzsn and her
husband, Edward Van Duzen, for rent
and that he was bound to collect what
was due his client, Mr.. Strong.
In her examination it was evident to
all unprejudiced persons that the old
woman was clear headed, though as
Attorney H. II. Reid argued, it had TO be
| admitted that she was eccentric and
| somewhat miserly in her disposition. Still
| he submitted that that was not sufficient
reason for sending her 10 an insane
| asylum, thus illegally depriving her OF
/ her liberty.
He did not dispute the right of Mr..
| Tomsky's client 10 collect the debt due
| him, but that could be done by having a
guardian appointed for the old lady.
After squaring all her debts she would
still have enough left to provide for her
during the remainder of her life. either
| by having il invested by her guardian or
by pure aslng the privileges of a place in
| tho Allenheim or IN some similar lnstitu-
tion.
Notwithstanding this, Mr.. Tomsky ap-
! peared desirous of having the old woman
declared insane, though 1t was difficult TO
understand his motive after he had been
informed that the legal rights of his client
might be as well protected under the plan
suggested by Mr. Reid.
Drs. Windele and Rethers seemed to
think she was insane. "Oh, yes, she's oil,
Judge" remarked DR.. Wlndele. Subse-
| quently Dr. Windele conceded that ii she
was 'off," she was mighty little off,"
Judge Hebbard did not think the woman
/ insane. as vas evidenced by his line OF
examination. He asked Mrs. Van Duzen
/ why she did not get better clothing when
| she had so much ready money, and the
| old woman replied with some dignity that
she preferred 10 choose her own apparel
/ Indeed, she was so quiet and self-pos-
| sessed that her very appearance and man.
| ner dis proved the charge OF insanity. She
! explained that she had her money in the
! Hibernia Bank until about two months
| ago, and drew 1t out because the news
| papers published some items saying that
| some OF The Tobins we're going to Europe.
Those who heard her gathered the i'm
| preston that had been reading the
society gossip where the migrations of the
| younger member of the Tobin family
were incidentally mentioned.
"How did you get this money!" asked
! the Judge.
ii worked for it, your Honor" replied
Mrs. Van Duzen.
''W here did you work?"
"ln different parts OF the city, wherever
l could secure employment. L have re-
| sided in this State Tor over forty years"
Mr.. Red thought such precision OF die
| tion and mentality as this did not betoken
a mind distraught, but he would have no
| objection 10 the appointment OF guardian
! II necessary 10 protect her property.
NJ. j. Gallagher was sworn as a witness.
! He testified:
Mrs. Van Duzen's husband is Edward Van
| Duzen, who used 10 work for my father before
L was born. Alter my IA ther died he worked
| Tor me. When Mr.. and Mrs. Van DGZen were
eyicted from their home about SIX months
! ago let them come to my house to live A
| short time ago Mr.. Van Duzen got very sick
and was taken 10 the City and County Hos
| pitai. lie is there now and very sick. did
not know that Mrs. Van Duzen had this
| money. She was allowed to come and go as
| she pleased, and hel ped to care for my chill
dren. She was with my wife and children
every day, and never acted as ii she was in
sane in any respect. II she was crazy she
| gave nj sign OF it When her husband asked
| her for money she told him to go and work for
| money for himself Sometimes she talked to
| herself, but l never noticed what she said.
| She was very quiet and did as she pleased
| about the house. When she wanted any gro
ceries 10 suit her own taste she went 10 the
store and bought what she liked
| Attorney w. a. S. Nicholson handed
| the court a written request, signed by
Edward Van Duzen, asking that NJ. J.
| Gallagher be appointed guardian of his
| W fe, Mrs. Van Duzen, which Judge Heb
| bard returned with the suggestion that if
such action were srable application
| might be made to the Probate Court
Mr. Tomsky said that he had an idea
| that Mrs. Van Duzun had large amount
| of money in h-r possession before he filed
| his complaint, as the Sheriff deputy who
evicted her from his clients house told him
| that the old lady took a lot of gold coin
from her mattress just before it was
| thrown ont on the street. He was afraid
| Mrs. Van DuZen was in danger OF being
| fobbed, and for the protection of his cli-
ents interests he wanted to see that what
ever money she had was properly cared
| for by the authorities.
| MIR. Gallagher was pointed out TO Mrs.
| Van Duzen, and she was asked if she had
! ever seen him. To this she calmly replied
| in the negative, much TO the surprise of
| those " ho knew that she had lived at Mr.
| GallagheI's house for several months. Mr..
| Gallagher tried to explain to the lady tha
| he had nothing to do with her arrest and
| the taking of her money from her, but she
evidently did not believe him. for with
| quiet scorn she said: ~ do not know him.
| He is no friend of mine."
There was considerable manifestation
| of impatience 10 have he insanity pro-
| ceedings over. but Judge Hebbard deliber-
arely pus he'd the commitment from him
and said: Let the accused be returned 10
the City Receiving Hospital, to be there
restrained until next Monday morning at
haif-past IL O'Clock. Request The matron
of the hospital to observe her Conduct
closely, but 10 allow her as much liberty
as may be consistent with her saie-keep-
! ing AK DR.. WE'LL to see that her money
is placed where IL may be produced on
| the order OF the court"
] After court adjourned NJ. ]. Gallagher's
petition to be appointed guardian of Mrs
! Van puzen's per on and estate was filed
in the Probate Court by attorneys Nichol.
son and Reid.
|
| Surrendered Hims