The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1899-04-19
TERRIBLE
STRUGGLE.
That Resulted in The Death of
Henry Frank
Is Recalled by the Death of Orestes
Douglas.

The remains of Orestes Douglas, who
died in the insane asylum at Hopkins
vile Of acute peritOnite, last Friday,
were brought to this city and were
inferred at the local cemetery
The deceased was a brother OF Mrs.
James +. Stone, OF Louisville. He was
81 years Of age at the time of his death
The funeral services were held at the
home of Col. David r. MURRAY, and were
conducted by the Rev. 7. V. Joiner. Mr.
and Mrs. James Stone, OF Louisville, on
account of the suddenees OF his death,
were the only relatives of the deceased
present.
Orestes Douglas was native of New
York state and was related to AlOnzo
Bishop, the former proprietor of the Tar
Springs property and the Cloverport
Hotel, and lived with the latter in this
city for number Of Yeare.
In the spring of 1874, after studious
course in in the law Office OF the late
Judge John Allen Murray, young Doug
las passed very successful examination
and was licensed to practice at the Han
cock county bar. EEL.
Shortly afterward he began to show
signs of mental alteration. This was
manifested by an abnormal desire to
read. He would indulge in excessive
study and his devotion to his books led
to physical and mental exhaustion
His condition became 80 bad that he
once wandered aimlessly about the
country on the Indiana side OF the river.
When ne was brought back to this city
he became possessed Of the hallucination
that there was to be a great race war,
and that he had been commissioned to
lead the whites. ..
Douglas was a magnificent specimen
of physical manhood He possessed the
strength of giant and the unsettled
state of his mind made him a menace to
the community.
When he first began to show tend
ency towards violence the citizens made
plans to capture him and put nim under
control until he could be committed to
the asylum.
At that time Henry Frank was the
most powerful man in this region. He
and Fred Walters were gifted with phe-
nomenal strength. 1t was arranged that
Frank should approach Douglas face to
face, and, while the latter was off his
guard, pinion his arms to his side and
hold him until assistance came. 20
The plan was followed out and Douglas
was removed to the Office of the Glover
port Hotel. .n -i.
There be was placed under guaro,
Frank and Walters taking turns watch
ing him. One evening, while Walters
was absent, the insane man caught
Frank mapping. With the cunning of
men in his condition, he crept softly to
the door and locked it, putting the key
in his pocket. After he had cut off
Franks opportunity for escape, he called
ou': "Now, you aad for it
Then commenced battle Of giants
The two men engaged in an exciting
death struggle with no one near to part
them They fought ferociously. Frank
did not want to main his adversary, and
instead OF telling him 10 the floor with
chair, relied on his wonderful strength
to subdue him. ....
The noise of battle and the cries of
rage from the mad man finally attracted
Walters, and it took the combined
strength of the latter and Frank to again
put Douglas under restraint.
The effects of the struggle we're fatal
to Frank. His chest was weakened and
made him an easy victim to consump-
ton. He never was we'll man alter
ward and died from the disease,
Before becoming unbalanced Douglas
gave promise to achieve distinction in
life. He had brilliant mind and was
the soul of honor. He possessed a
Chesterheldian manner and his courtesy,
his gentleness, his manly traits of char
acter endeared him to all who knew
him.
He was passionately devoted to his
chosen profession and his ambition led
him to excessive study
When the light Of reason was quench-
ed a wealth O. promise was blighLed and
a noble soul took its flight. The body
survived the divorce from the mind
twenty. five years.
Mr.. and Mrs. Stone haYe the sincere
sympathy of all.