Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-24
MADE BY THE INSANE.
furious Tools to Assist Them IN
Garry Ont Their Fancies.

Curious Tools to Assist Them IN
Carry Ont Their Fancies.
From The Hartford Courant
Ut. Il. A Down of this city I'm his official
capacity as a member of the state board
OF charities, visits periodically the various
insane asylums of the state. and ne has
mao an opportunity that few men have of
studying insanity in all its aspects In tho
course OF MS YisitatiOns he has gathered
one OF the most unique collections tbat US
ever GOT together. 1t consists of a number
Vi pflmtlNe tools manufactured bv the in
mates Of insane il stitutions for n1Irnnsas
OF escape or defense or attack MANY in
go Ieupie are possessed of the delusion
thai they are the objects OF some specisl
prosecution, and in order to project tbern
selves against their supposed persacufor or
IN order 10 be prepared to attack him when
Trey chance to meet him they work in So
Citt i-hd prepare for themselves some very
ui-qne weapons. More cnmmonly their 81
lcftS are expended in making tools for pur-
PGSes OF escape. The materials which they
49, nv al hahd Tor this purpose being very
matted, they are compelled to use what
ever they can find, and the greatest in
StLHty is often exercised by men that 10
ei'e casual observer would seem quite in
e.iIi3etthr Or. Downs collection Of these
primitive weapons and tools is quite COM
piehensive in its lire. ana each article in
/ carries with 1t a thrilling story of es-
cape or attempted escape
There is i screwdriyer made from n
spoon "hlcn patient at an Opportune mo-
ment struggled t. his room from Tho din
ing table. He broke off the spoon lust
above the bowl and under cover of the
iptse Whch prevailed at times ground
down the handle on his stone window sill
until ii assumed the form of a screwdrfver
Win this he removed the screws which
held the slat at the side of his window and
H'dGe ms escape in this manner. This man
was harmless patient. who was troubled
with recurrent attacks of excitement and
VINO TOOK pleasure at such times in wit
Messing the fright which he inspired IN
these who thought him DANGEROUS
The next article in the collection is an
In provlsed dagger and sheath, the dagger
made from a nail with a piece of rag for
handle and sheath made from a chicken
pche. Inc weapon was found on the per-
son OF the maker and was taken before
ne had time to complete the dagger by FL
ing down the point on the nail
Another improvised weapon is a dirk
made from long nail with the end well
sharpened and rag wrapped around tho
other end to serve as a handle This In
strument was as sharp as an ordinary knife
and would be a formidable weapon in the
hands of a crazy man.
Perhaps the most unique article in the
collection is key made from a piece of
Grange peel. This apparently harmless tool
was made by female patient and was dis
covered before she had an opportunity to
test its efficiency. The prison officials found
on trial that this key made from dried
orange peel would unlock readily almost
any old and worn lock.
The doctor has also a key made from
wood and one made from wood and a piece
of orange peel and others made from the
handle of a backing box, from a small
staple, etc, all of which will unlock old
locks with more or less ease. Screwdriyers
seem to be the instrument which the in
mates consider most useful, and there are
several strange varieties of this tool in
the doctors collection. They are made
ne lS lint ~.
heel of womans shoe and heel plates and
clothes hooks.