Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-08-03
HOYT WELCOMED HOME.
Hundreds of PeOI le Met the Play
wright at CharlesIOWn, y. II.

the insane, in which he was confined in
that city. Judge freeman stipulated that
| Mr.. Huyt should be placed under the care
of physician selected 10y his friends, and
that a guardian be appointed to have
charge of his property.
Mr.. Huyt was committed to the retreat
after a hearing in the probate court, last
week. The case aroused intense interest
| at Charlestown, n. H., the home of Mr.
Hoyt, and when hearing in the case was
granted upon the application of George II.
Dickinson of Atlanta, Ga, a large num-
Der of Charlestown residents came TO Hart
ford TO give testimony. The petition
alleged that Mr.. Hoyt was brought to
Hartford on the strength of fraudulent
promises, and that he was confined in the
retreat against his will. The hearing took
place Tuesday.
Mr.. Hoyt arrived at his summer home
in Charlestown Wednesday afternoon at
3 As O'Clock, on the White Mountain ex.
press. He was received with great en-
thusiasm, several hundred people being at
the RAILROAD station to greet HIM. The
! playwrighrs party included George II
Dickinson, who came to Hartford from
Atlanta, Ga, to procure Mr.. Ho,t's re-
! lease from the Hartford insane retreat;
! Judge William f. Henney, a Hartford
lawyer; DR.. .. G.. Young of Charlestown,
TO whose charge Judge freeman of Hart
ford delivered Mr.. Hoyt; DR.. Henry Nc
! Manus of Hartford, Herman Holt, George
! ;. Bond, the Rev. T. ID. Howard ami
| Frank w. Hamlin, all of Chlrlestown, and
| Tom Davis, Mr.. Hoyt's faithful gardener.
The day was one OF intense excite
ment for that little village, and but for the
fact that a request had been telegraphed
ahead to make the reception home AS quiet
as possible, there probably would have
| been larger celebration when the train
! drew in. As it was, Mr.. Hoyt was greet
ed very quietly when he alghted the crowd
| following respectfully while he walked to
his fine residence, which is near the sta
ton.
Mr.. Hoyt and the party with him went
into the house. Presently old Tom Davis,
the Hoyt family gardener for 80 years,
came out with radiant countenance and
beckoned to the people who had crowded
on to the lawn, but stood at a respectful
! distance, to come nearer
Come here, ye," said he. "He wants
to see ye, and Mr.. Hoyt addressed them.
He was moved TO tears as he spoke and
| thanked his fellow citizens for their wei
come home He said he was glad to be
with them again in his beloved Charles
town.
There were tears in the eyes of many in
he crowd when he finished his brief
| speech, and all crowded forward to shake
the hand of their ilustrious townsman.
He shook hands with 100 or more, until
DR.. Young suggested that he would tire
himself too much by continuing At the
end Of the handshaking there were three
cheers given by the crowd for Mr.. Hoyt
and three for &. II. Dickinson. Then Mr..
Hoyt suggested that three cheers be given
for Charlestown. They were given with
heartiness
During the reception Mr.. Hoyt kissed
| some babies that were presented to him,
as well as two or three young girls, who
blushed at the honor conferred on them.
After the reception Mr.. Hoyt went into
the house with his party and the villagers
! gradually melted away.
For the rest OF the day nothing else was
talked about in the town than the return
OF Mr.. Hoyt. The symp lthy Of all Charles
| town has been with Mr. Dickinson in his
efforts to have Mr.. Hoyt re-establshed in
his legal rights. In the evening the Young
men celebrated by building big bonfire
in the village street.
The people of Charlestown, who felt
that Mr.. Hoyt had been enticed away from
home and placed in the retrea, at Hartford
against his own will, organized Saturday
to secure his release. Five hundred dol
lars was subscribed, and a committee OF 20
prominent men appointed 10 20 To Hart
ford 10 oppose the appointment Of a guar
dian over SIR. Hoyts person and estate.
| The people Of Charlestown were uuani-
nous in believing that Mr.. Hoyt was of
sound mind and capable Of taking charge
OF his own affairs.
MIR. Hoyrs personal friend, George II.
! Dickinson, manager Of the Atlonta, Ga,
journal, arrived IN Hartford Sunday and
at once consulted lawyer and began
taking legal steps 90 secure Mr.. Huyt's re-
lease. Mr.. Dickinson formerly lived in
Charlestown, and he and Mr.. Hoyt were
newspaper workers together in Boston be-
fore Hoyt made success as a playwright.
Mr. Dickinson held important positions
with leading New York daily papers be-
fore he went TO Atlanta. DR.. Dickinson
believed that Mr.. Hoyrs condition would
be greatly aggravated by confinement in
the institution at Hartford. As a result of
Mr. DickinsOn's efforts the hearing was
held on Tuesday. The officials of the Re-
treat did not appear at the hearing, and no
action was taken by Mr.. Mckee of New
York, Mr.. Hoyt's partner, whose action
T.
HOyt to Hartford. Mr. Mckee claims
that he acted as a friend OF Mr.. Hoyt, so !
that he would not svuander his property.
Mr.. Hoyt owns real estate valued at |
$4,000 in CharlestOwn, and the total |
value of his property is $780, 600 to $780, |
600. He has made immense sums of mon |
ey, but has spent it lavshly. In some |
years his income has been over 500, 900. |
and last year it was $4,000.
1t is generally admitted that Mr. Hoyt |
is in poor physical condition. Some re- |
ports say that his mind is affected, but |
that there is no necessity of placing him |
under restraint. Another story is to the |
effect that he victim of paresls. He |
has certainly been able to transact his bust |
ness at the bank and in general affairs at |
CharestOwn this summer. 1t is said that |
Hoyt has made recently several wills,
which he afterward destroyed. He has no |
relatives, except two second cousins.
9pORmTNH