The herald., 1897-10-14
And lncarcerated in an
Asylum
AMELIE RIvEs' Ex-HuSBAND
JOHN JACOB AsToR's GREAT
GRANDSON
Thinks He Is Napoleon Reincarnated
and Able to Break the Bank
at Monte Carlo
Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
NEW YORK, Oct. 13.-John Arm.
strong Chanler, the divorced husband Of
Amelie Rives, and great-grandson Of
John Jacob Astor, is reported to be in
sane in the Bloomingdale esylum. Mr..
Chanler left the city suddenly last
spring, avd it was said by his friends
that he had gone to Europe. The foGe
has leaked out that he is in Blooming
dale under treatment.
1t Is denied by his friends that Mr..
Chanler is insane or that his MIND -
affected in the least. He was taken to
Bloomingdsale, these friends assert, to
gaira much needed rest and treatment
for nervous disorders. The affection OF
his nerves and general physical break
down was due, they say. to overwork.
Harry Van Ness Phillips, his law
partner and closest friend, said or his
illness today: THE report of Mr.. Chan
ler's insanity is entirely unfoursded. I
saw him yesterday and conversed with
him on business matters and he con-
versed in a perfectly rational manner.
His mind is not affected in the Least.
'Mr. Chanler was simply brokeu down
in health and went to this retreat for
rest and treatmen He is now much
improved"
Mr.. Chanler inherited an income from
the Astor estate Of more than $4,000 q
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 long time abroad.
They were divorced in 1895. The Eve
ming World today publishes an article
signeG by Arthur Brisben, which says
in part: "Mr. ChaCier was combined
against his will on, an order issued In
the regular way by the court. Mr..
Chanlers family, in committing him.
acted upon the advice Of physicians, ana
especially upon the advice OF the doctor
who had been for many years Mr.. Chan.
ler's regular physician. They also act.
ed upon the advice of DR.. Starr, a spe-
cialist i'm mental diseases, and who
signed the application for M. Chanler's
commitment. Mr.. Chanler was COM
mitted, not because Of any overt act
demonstrating insanity, but 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
visit at Bloomingdale. Senator Hill.
after a long interview, decided that 1t
would be better not to Interfere in the
matter.
"Mr. Chanler is not a violent lunatic.
but it is alleged is subject to hallucina-
tions Statements which formed the
basis of his commitment and hallucina-
tiors included the belief that he had sue.
ceeded by will power in changing the
shape of his face ard the color of his
eyes, believing himself to be the REIN
carnation of Napoleon, and that ne
would make a great fortune by sys-
tenn of play at the Monte Carlo gamb-
ling tables The affidavit upon. which
he was committed, ayers that he was q
victim of the hallucinations suggested
above, and Furthermore, that there was
insanity in his farnily-an aunt having
at one time been insane.
'Mr. CEanleT's main grievance and
his greatest objection to his commit
ment follows: He declares that he -
"a resident of Virginia, not OF New
York, ard that his commitm ent is ille-
gal in that way. He further alleges
that he was lured to New York from
Virginia-'kidrape is the term used
although he admits that it was done by
well meaning but misinformed friends.
"Mr. Chanler's relatives and friends
entertain, a belief that he will soon be
removed from BloomiC,gdale, possibly
to go abroaG in the hapds of careful
nurses and physicians"
SURELY INSANE
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 13.-Arthur
Cecil, aged 21, stenographer residing
with his parents at 10 Belvedere street
in this city, was arrested early this
morning in the act of breaking into
saloon after having driven his mother
ard sisters from his home and shot at
his father several times with rifle.
The unfortunate youth evinced signs OF
insanity yesterday al the office or his
employers and was taken home. Early
this morning he eluded his nurse, and
slippixg into a room in which his father
kept a loaded rifle, armed himself with
the weapon. After arousing the MEM
bers of his family young Cecil drove
them from the house. His father, hop
ing to inGuce the youth to give up the
rifle remained alone with him. The
maniac fired four shots at close range
at his father, fortunately without eff
feet, and then fled to Golden Gate park,
where he hid the weapon in some bush-
es. He was taken to the receiving hos
pital wherl arrested and has been very
violent since his aGrnis to that insti-
tuition. .sai
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