The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-07-26
AN ACCOUNTING WANTED
A Sensational Petition Filed in Be-
half of a Lunatic.
The Trustees of John F. Dricss' Es-
tate Charged With Neglect of Their
Ward and His Property-Henry F..
Moodnrd's Removal Apparently
the Chief Object of the Suit.

Augustus Achstetter, a brother-in-law
of John F. Driess. who on March 10, 1897,
was adjudged insane and committed to st.
Elizabeth's Asylum, yesterday, through his
attorney, F. Edward Mitchell, filed a pc
tition in the Supreme Court of the District
asking that the committee and trustees ap-
pointed by the court take charge of the
person and the estate of the subject OF
the enquiry be made to make an account
ing of their rusteeship. On the showing
made by the petitioner Justice Bradley is
sued an order requiring the trustees, Hen
ry F. Woodland and Mason n. Richardson,
TO answer the petition on August 3.
From the tone of the petition it would
seem that the proceedings are instituted
more for the purpose of having Woodland
removed than, for getting an accounting.
1t is alleged that he, having been the at
torney for Mrs. Driess in proceedings for
divorce instituted two years before the
commencement of the enquiry into the
mental condition CT Driess, he therefore
represents interests antagonistic and adj
verse to those of the subject of these pro-
ceedings. The suit for divorce against her
husband was instituted By Mrs Driess in
1885. but the papers in the case were with
held from publication. 1t is understood,
however, that the divorce was asked for on
the ground OF cruelty and non-support.
Soon after the suit was instituted the court
allowed the petitioner alimony in the sum
of SIS per month, and since that time lit
tie or no steps have been taken to bring
the case to a final hearing
1t is expected that the petition filed yes
terday will result in the reopening of both
the proceedings and the enquiry as to the
mental condition of Driess.
Nearly two months ago, on the applica-
ton of Achstetter. DRESS was released
from the asylum by DR.. Godding, the then
superintendent of that Institution. Since
his release he has been living at Mr.. Ach-
stetter's home. He is said to be quite sane
and able in every way to attend to his own
affairs.
The petition states that when DRESS
sanity was enquired into before a mar
shals jury he was not represented by coun-
sci, and that when he desired to make an
argument in his own defence he was told
by counsel for his wife that it was none of
his business and TO sit down.
The petition further states that the trus-
tees have neglected Driess and his estate,
which consists of three houses, valued at
Sl5,OOO, producing an income of $65 a
month. This neglect is ascribed to the I'M
friendltness of the trustees toward their
ward. Achstetter states that he cannot
conceive why Mr.. Richardson was ever ap-
pointed a trustee: Mr.. Richardson ap-
peared to be reluctant TO serve, neglecting
for a long time 10 qualify by filing his
bond.
Achstetter states that il is his informa-
ton and belief that Mr.. Woodland has en-
tire control OF the alleged lunatic's estate
and that the other trustees are only nom
inally caring for DRESS interests Il is
also alleged that during the two years
DRESS was confined In the insane asylum
although repeated efforts were made. no
accounting has ever been made of the mon
ey the trustees have collected, and that the
property has been allowed to depreciate.
The petition also alleges that while
Driess was in the asylum the trustees never
expended cent for his comfort. although
he never had more than one suit of cloth
ing at one time and was most of the time
without Undertaking except such as was
furnished 10 paupers by the Government.
II IS further alleged that the trustees re-
fused even to pay for pair of shoes after
they had consented 10 do so, which had
been purchased by the physician at the in
sane asylum. 1t is charged also that not
even one cent has been expended upon the
alleged lunatic.. Therefore. Achstetter re-
specially suggests that as the trustees
have so thoroughly neglected their duty in
the interest of the alleged lunatic that they
should be removed and others appointed in
their stead, and II the court does not see
ut TO remove the committee that 1t should
be discharged entirely and DRESS be given
the right TO manage his own property.