Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-14
ARMSTRONG CHAMBER
THE wELL~KNowS NEW YORKER
SAID TO DE INSANE.
BE is IN BLcOHIEGDALg LSYLUH.
Has inatiops-Insists That He
Was Lured from virginia 10 New
York-His Friends Deny That His
Mind In Affected.

NEW YORK, October is-John ARM
strong Chanler. the divorced husband
Of Amelie Rives--the Princess Troubetz-
koy-and the great-grandson Of John
Jacob Aston. Is reported TO be insane in
the Bloomingdale asylum.
Mr.. Chanler left the city suddenly last
spring. and II was said by his friends
that he had gone to Europe. The fact
has leaked out that he Is In Blooming
dale, under treatment. II is denied by.
or that hic mind Is affected in the least.
He was taken to Bloomingdale. his
friends assert. TO gain a much-needed
rest, and treatment for nervous disor-
ders. The affection OF his nerves. and a
general physical breakdown. were due,
they said. to overwork.
Harry Van Ness Phillip. his law part
ner and closest friend said OF his friend
to-day: "rhe report OF Mr.. Csenler's
insanity is entirely unfolnded. l saw
him yesterday. and conversed on business
matters, and he conyersed in a rerfect-
ly rational manner. His mind is not
affected In the least. Mr.. chanler was
simply broken down In health. and went
to this retreat for rest and treatment.
He is now much improved.
1T was given out that he had gone to
Europe in order that he might rest In
absolute quiet and retirement. only the
friends and relatives who stood closest
to him were aware of his whereabouts.
- 4
Mr.. Chaner inherited an income from
the Aston estate OF more than $4,000 n
year. He was educated at Columbia ana
Rugby. and has spent much of his tine
since attaining his majority In Europe.
He is a member OF nearly all the proml-
nent clubs Of New York. After leaving
college he entered the profession of law,
In partnership with Harry Van Ness
Phillip. He did not pay much attention
to business until recently, and allowed
his partner to attend to the management
OF the firms affairs. He married Ameiie
Rives. the authoress. I'm 1883, and the
couple spent long time abroad. They
were divorced in 1895.
CONFINED AGAINST HIS WILL.
The Evening World to-day publishes
an article signed BY Arthur Brisley.
which says In part:
mir. CHAMBER was confined against his
will, on AN order issued In the regular
way by the Court. Mr.. Chanlers family,
In committing him, acted upon the ad.
vice OF physicians, and especially upon
the advice of the doctor who had been
for many years Mr.. Chanler's regular
physician. They acted further upon tho
advice OF DR.. Starr. specialist In mon
tai diseases, and who signed the APP
e,If1 10. f.rgu .k.,ls
Mr.. Chanler was committed. not because
OF any over act demonstrating insanity.
but because OF the fear OF his relativef
that his mental condition might result
at any time In some violent outbreak.
HE was committed to Bloomingdale.
rather than t. a more quiet. private re-
sort, because of the fear that "A man OF
his determined character could be Kept
in confinement only by the most rigorous
and systematic supervision.
soon after Mr.. Chambers commitment.
Senator David Hill. who has known him
for a long time. paid him visit at
Bloomingdale. Senator Hill decided that
it would be better not to interfere in
| the matter -lr
MIR. Chanler is not a violent lunatic.
but, il is alleged, is subject 10 halluci-
nations. In the statements which formed
the basis for his commitment his hallu-
cnations included the belief that he had
succeeded by will power In changing the
shape of his face and the color OF fis
eyes, believed himself TO be the reincor-
nation OF Napoleon, and that he would
make a great fortune BY system or
play at the Monte Carlo gambling tables.
''The affidavit upon which he was ON
mitted averted that he was victim OF
the Authorizations suggested above, ard
Furthermore, that there was insanity In
mis- famlly-an aunt having at one t'me
been insane.
"Mr. CHAMBERS main grievance, and
his greatest objection to his commitment.
follows:
He declares that he IL resident OF
Virginia. not OF New York, and that his
commitment is Illegal In that way. He
further alleges that he was lured 10
New York from Virginia. Kidnapped
is the term he uses although no admits
that IL was done by wel-meaning. but
mislnformed friends.
Mr.. Chanler's relatives and friends en-
terrain a belief that he VIII soon be re-
moved from Bloomingdale. possibly 70 go
abroad. in the hands OF careful nurses
and physicians"