The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-05
WERNER SADCONDITION
BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY'S CLERK
TAKEN TO THE CITY HOSPITAL.
Temporarily Demented I'm This City
Theatricals and Horse Flesh
Among His DelusiOns.

George Werner, clerk of Bartholomew
county, and a prominent citizen of Column
bus was taken to the City Hospital late
last night, suffering from temporary aber-
ration Of the mind. Mr.. Werner came here
Friday evening from West Baden springs,
accompanied by friends. 1t was noticed
several days ago that he was slightly de-
mented, and he was quietly removed to
West Baden in the hope that the change of
surroundings and the healing waters of the
springs might benefit him. But he contin-
ually grew worse and it was deemed advis-
able to bring the unfortunate man to this
city and place him in a private hospital.
Friday night Mr. Werner spent at the
sanatorium of DR.. Sterne, on East Michl-
gan street. He was mild and tractable and
the attendants experienced no trouble with
him. Yesterday morning, after breakfast,
he announced he would take a walk and
started out alone. He did not return to the
sanatorium, but was found by his friends
during the morning. With him is his chief
deputy, N. w. Breeder, and his brothers-in-
law, Messrs Otto and Roth. All day yes
terday the demented man wandered about
the city, his friends keeping close by him.
His whims were humored and his friends
took every precaution to avoid exciting
him.
Werner is a great admirer of good horse
flesh, and one of his decisions is that he is
here for the purpose of buying some fine
animals. Another one of his vagaries is
in a theatrical line He thinks he is about
to organize a company of players and that
he will have a theater. He tells his friends
that his troupe will be of such superior
character that an admission of S.
will be charged. Under the pretense
of showing him some fine horses Wer-
ner's friends got him to go to the police
station yesterday afternoon. He spent an
hour about the station, but was not locked
up His brother-in-law objected strongly TO
this procedure, insisting that II was unnes-
sary to place him under restraint. During
the evening Werner escaped from his
friends ana his absence for a time gave
them considerable alarm The entire party
took supper at a restaurant on illinois
street and after they had dlned Werner
said he would go over to the telegraph Of
flee in the Bates House and send tele
gram to his wife. He wanted her to meet
him in the city last night. His brother-in-
law Roth, accompanied him to the hotel
and instructed the operator not to send the
message. While Roth was talking to the
operator Werner left the hotel and was not
seen again until nearly 10 o'clock. The po
lice department was notified TO look out
for him. One of his friends, however, To-
Gated him at the Union Station about 10
o'clock, where he was waiting for his wife
to arrive. o.
While waiting at the station Werner saw
a hackman with a team of large grays.
He admired the horses and quickly ar
ranged to purchase them. Believing that he
was to try his own team, Werner was in
duced to start for ride. He refused to
get into the carriage but took a seat on
the box with the driver. His friends climbed
inside and the vehicle was driven to the
City Hospital. There Werner consented to
spend the night to the great relief of his
friends.
DIR. f. W. Hays was called to see Werner
yesterday evening and hurriedly diagnosed
the case In the opinion of the physician
the mental arrangement is only temporary.
He thinks that with rest and proper treat
ment Mr. Werner can be brought around
all right. 1t is said by his friends Werner's
condition is partly due TO a use of alco-
years of age and has q wife and children.
He IS said to be of the leading citi-
ZenS of Bartholomew county. Some time
ago he met a very painful accident and
some of his friends think this may have
had something to do with his present con-
dition