The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-20
Simon Greenspan Sentenced to
the Insane Asylum Today
The Unfortunate Mans Mind a
Complete Wreck.
MALADY INCURABLE.
Has Slept But fan Hour or Two
Each Night
For Over Ten Days-ThOughts
Dwell on Fabulous Wealth.

Simon Greenspan was adjudged in
sane by jury in the probate court this
forenoon. He was brought to the court
house in a closed carriage from the
home of his wife near Quincy and Sew
enth street. He is more violent than
he has ever been and it required the
constant attention of two strong col
ored men to control him. They have
been in constant attendance since last
Wednesday and as there was no sign
of Improvement in his condition Mrs.
Greenspan asked that he be tried for
his sanity.
As Greenspan was taken toward the
court room he recognized a friend and
started toward him. One of his at
tendants started to prevent him from
doing so and the insane man fought like
a wild beast until overcome. A pecu-
liarity of his condition is that he never
fzgls to recognize any one with whom
he has been acquainted.
Here, Sheriff Cook you keep these
two men away from me-" said he to the
sheriff as he entered the court house
door. They are not deputy sheriffs
and they have been abusing me for five
days Keep your hands off, say. Keep
your hands off"
But one of the cOlOred men grabbed
him and hustled him into the presence
of the probate judge.
Judge, you are just the man want
10 see SdAQ EollllOl- want 10 COIl-
mence divorce proceedings against my
wife. She has had me confined in
room five days and has had these ne
grOes watching me. I have been sick
and what do you think of a wife who
will not stay with her husband when he
is sick. am going to get a divorce.
All right" said Judge DOlman as he
began to copy the names of the jury
men.
SAY. Judge" continued Greenspan,
I am going to start this afternoon on
TO go along I have made contract for
all the passenger trains in the world
and we will start today by way of st.
Louis, Chicago and New York Do you
know that am the richest man in the
world. Ny income is $50 900 600 a day"
Greenspan was led out of the room
into the sheriff's office while the jury
was being empanelled. There he met
Dr.. Grubbs.
Doctor" said he ct am glad to see
you. Did you know that am the rich
est man in the world and that I have
an income Of $50. 000. 900 a day. I am go
ing to build two hospitals with 1 900
capacity each, one for the white people
and one for the cOlOred and I want you
to have charge of both of them. Then
I am going to buy the block between
Eighth and Ninth streets on the east
side of Kansas avenue and build the
finest opera house in the world. I am
going to buy from Fourth to Ninth
streets and build a 1, 900 room hotel and
each room will have a bath. I am go
ing to start a packing house that will
employ $4,000 men and everything that
the people here want. I am going to
pave every street in the city and every
ROAD IN the county with asphalt and
have seen Mr.. Shafer and have closed
the contract with him.
Then turning to a deputy sheriff he
Informed him that he would give each
man who accompanied him on his trip
around the world a present of 500, 900.
When brought face to face with the
question him
How much are you worth?" he ask
Il have an income Of $5O.OOOOOO a
day" said Simon.
DO you own any railroad trains?'
Yes, own them all and intend to
carry people dollar cheaper than they
have ever been carried
Are you going to take a trip around
the wOrld?"
Yes. I am going to start this after
noon and / am going to have the finest
car you ever saw and the finest liquors
that are to be had anywhere"
Then the insane man caught sight Of
Lawyer Bergen
Hello. Mr.. Bergen, I intend to give
you $4,000 and take you with me on my
trip" said Greenspan.
Ed Bennett who was in the court
room received a similar promise.
The witnesses testified while Green
span was out Of the room.
Members of the police force told of
Greenspan's strange actions last Tues
day evening.
Irving Scott of the Cremerfe told how
Simon had entered his place last Tues
day evening and had created a dis
furbance.
Oliver Richardson, one of the attend
ants, said that Greenspan had slept on
dy an hour or two each night since he
has been in confinement He told of his
rawlings and his delusion that he is very
wealthy.
The jury at once brought in verdict
~ temporary insanity supposed to be
Induced by drink and also found that it
is not hereditary.
DR.. D. B. Eastman, who was foreman
of the jury said afterward that Mr..
Greenspan's trouble is undoubtedly
paresis and that hes thinks that his
chances for recovery are slight
Two weeks ago Simon Greenspan ne
gotiated a loan of $4,000 for Mrs. Stach
who lives near HOltOn- He went to
Holton with her and closed all the ar
engagements, having had the ahstra cts
examined before he left Topeka. When
everything was completed he gave his
check for the amount and it was pro-
tested 1t is now believed that this was
the beginning of his insanity.
A story is being circulated today to
the effect that Simon Greenspan is
feigning insanity, but the medical men
laugh at the story. 1t is to the effect
that Mrs. Greenspan, who it IS well
known, is very wealthy has decided to
secure a divorce and has accumulated
the necessary evidence Her husband
heard OF the movement and to block
the movement pretended to be insane
a divorce can not be secured from an
insane person
Mrs. Greenspan was not in the court
room when her husband was tried.
Simon Greenspan is now occupying a
cell at the county Jail. The asylum is
filled but room will be made for him and
he will be taken there this afternoon
or tomorrow.
increasing with cOnSidera bic rapidity in
the United States The writer continues: