The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-05-02
PROTESTED
AGAINST BEING
RA|LR OADED
Queer Case of Anna
CoIgett.
SAYS SHE WAS NOT INSANE
THREATENS TO HAVE WARDEN
HEATING BUSTED.
Objected to Summary Imprisonment
in an Insane Ward, and Her
Screams Secured Her
Speedy Release.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call,
l. \

Oakland OIQCe san FRANCISCO Oall,
sos Broadway, May l.
Mrs Anna Colgett, residing at 1904
Fourteenth street, was locked up in the
insane ward at the Receiving Hospital
for a brief period this afternoon, pre-
sumably at the instance of her husband,
but the scene she created, accompanied
by pitiful screams, resulted in her hus-
band relenting and she was soon re-
leased
Now she charges Insane Keeper Keat-
ing with depriving her of her liberty
without warrant or good cause, and will
bring the attention of the Supervisors to
his alleged unwarranted haste.
Mr. and Mrs. Colgett called at the Re
ceiving Hospital shortly after > o'clock.
The husband handed the keeper of the in
sane a letter from DR.. w. p. Mauzy in
forming him that this is the case 1
spoke to you about a month ago" The
trio then walked into the insane ward,
and the keeper, with Mr.. Golgett, quickly
left the room, turning the key and leav-
ing Mrs Colgett imprisoned.
Papa, papa, open that door for Gods
sake!' cried the woman, beating with all
her might against the door at the same
time. Her screams interrupted the con-
sultation her husband and the Insane
Keeper were holding in the hall, and re
suited finally in her release. AS she
stepped out her face was white with
rage, and she realized apparently the po-
siuon in which she had been placed, and
she did not propose to be railroaded to
an insane asylum summarily.
This is an outrage TO society said
Mrs. Colgett. and ! do not propose to
stand 1t. l shall report this matter TO the
Supervisors. The idea of suggesting
that | be locked in that room over night.
Why, ! would lose my reason. l supposed
lo.v u. gs,v,,
ined by some physician to see what
could be done for the nervous troubles
from which l have been suffering. Such
cruel treatment never was heard of be-
fore, and she requested her husband TO
accompany her home inStanter.
Insane Keeper Heating, smarting under
the womanS rebuke, turned to the nus
band and remarked with anger, The
next time you want us to do something
for you. you ought to know what you
want and don't come here and make a
fool of me- Keating's explanation to
the Woman-that he had turned the key
husband privately, did not work as a sol
ace, and she insists that he shall be re-
moved from his position.
Il have suffered from nervous troubles
the past year, said Mrs. COlgett after
the scene, ''and l become very fidgety at
times. but | have never been violent" to
all of which her husband assenungly
nodded.
Dr. Mauzy, Mrs. Colgett's physician.
when asked as to the woman's mental
condition, manifested reticence. Il do
not care to talk about it. 1t is all ques-
ton of opinion. 1t is private case. and
might as well be dropped right now"
Insane Keeper keating's discontinue
over the incident was great. II talked
with DR.. MauZy a month ago about this
very case said he. Il was justified in
doing what ] did. Mr.. Colgett came with
this letter. He claims she tried to kill
him once. She couldn't be examined to-
day, anyway, so / was going TO hold her
until tomorrow, but her husband weak
ened. If she had been given a dose of
dope or something. we could have held
her here and she would have been quiet"
Mrs. Colgetts husband is a gardener
by occupation, and they have a family of
grown-up children. who will no doubt
take somebody to task for their mother ;
treatment.
The methods in vogue in the insane
lately inquired into by the Grand Jury
with considerable scrutiny. The inquisi-
torial body meets again next Wednesday,
and il is likely that a partial report will
be forthcoming