The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-14
Is Mr.. CHAMBER INSANE?
rHE DIvORCED HUSBAND or
AMELfE RITES ~ An AsfLUh.
His Friends Say lie IL simply There FOR
Rest But other Reports Say lilo was
Committed In the Regular way

chanIer the divorced husband OF Ameiie
Rives and great grandson OF John jacob
Astor il renorted 10 be insane III the
BIoomingdale Asylum.
Mr.. Chanler left the city suddenly last
spring and IL was said by his triends that
no had gone to Europe. The fact has
leaked out that he is in Bloomingdale IN
7, "a denied by his friends that Mr..
ChanIer Is insane or that his nina IS az
fecf6d in the least. He was TAKEN W
PIoomingdale. his friends assert 10 gam
much needed rest and treatment TOT ner-
vous disorders. The affection OF MS
nerves ana a general physical break
down was due, they said, TO oNerworA'
WHAT. HIS PARTNER SAYS.
Harry Van Ness Phillip. ms IA" part,
ner and closest friend, said OF his friend
to-day:
",rhe report OF Mr.. Chambers insanity
"a entirely unfoinded. ] saw him yester-
dav and conversed on business matters,
and ne conversed in perfectly rational
manner. His mind is not affected in the
least Mr.. Chanler was simply broken
down i'm health and went 10 this retreat
for rest and treatment He is now much
improved.
It was given out that he had gone to
Europe in order that he might rest I'm alb
solute quiet and retirement. Only friends
and relatives who stood closest TO him
were aware OF his whereabouts. These
have called on him frequently.
Mr.. Chanler inherited an income from
the Aston estate or more than $4,000 a
year. He was educated at Columbia and
Rugby and has spent much OF his time
since attaining his majority I'm Europe.
L, fc t.at. % IL oil hn
inent clubs in New York After leaving
college he entered the profession Of law
in partnership with Harry Van Ness Phil
lip. He did not pay much attention 10 bus
mess until recently and allowed his part
ner to attend the management Of the
firms affairs. lie married Amelie Rives.
the authoress, in 1855. and the couple
spent a long time abroad. They were
divorced in 1895.
ANOTHER REPORT.
The Evening World to-day publishes an
article signed by Arthur Brisley which
says in part:
Mr. Chanler was confined against his
will on an order issued in the regular way
by the court. Mr.. Chambers family. in
committing him, acted upon the advice
OF physicians. and especially upon the
advice OF the doctor who had been for
y
clan. They acted further upon the advice
OF DR. Starr. a specialist in mental di-
sease. and who signed the application for
Mr.. Chambers commitment. Mr.. Chanler
was committed not because Of any overt
act demonstrating insanity. but because
OF the fear OF his relatives that his mem
tai condition might result at any time
in some violent outbreak.
He was committed to Bloomlngdale
rather than to a more quiet private re-
sort, because Of the fear that man OF
his determined character could be kept
I'm 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 directed that
IL would be better not 10 interfere in the
matter.
"Mr. Chanler is not a violent lunatic.
but. il is alleged. is subject to hallucina-
tons In the statements which formed
the basis for his commitment. his hallu-
cinations included the belief that he had
succeeded by will power I'm changing the
shape Of his face and the color Of his
eyes. believed himself to be the re-
incarnation OF Napoleon. and that he
would make a great fortune by a system
OF play at the Monte Carlo gambling Ia
bles.
.'The afidavit upon which he was COM
mltted averred that he was victim
of the hallucinations suggested above,
and. furthermore. that there was insanity
I'm his family-an aunt having at one time
been insane.
HIS GRIEVANCE.
mfr. Chambers main grievance. and MS
hi IN bis commitment fUl-
lows:
"Te declares that he IS resident OF
virginia. not OF New York. and that his
commitment IS Illegal in that way. lie
further alleges that he was lured TO New
YORK from Virginia kidnapped is the
term he uses. although he admits that Il
was done by well-meaning but misinform
ed friends.
"Afr. CHAMBERS relatives and friends en-
terrain a belief that he will soon be re-
moved from Bloomingdale. possible TO go
abroad in the hands Of careful nurses ana
physicians"