Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-10-10
MRS. MACKEY RELEASED.

MhS. MACkEf hELEASED.
Katherine s. Msckey, wife of Judge
TOomss J Msckey, was released from
st. EIzAbeth's Asylum for the Insane,
10 WsshiF gtoD, yesterday, upon the
order IF Justice Cole, This action was
taken by the court upon the petition OF
Mr.. Mackey for a writ OF habeas cor
pus with view OF securing the release
OF his wife.
Mrs. Msckey, who had been in al
tendance during the proceedings, re-
turned to ST. Ell zabeth's Asylum in
charge of one of the attendants. Al
ter hearing the decision of the court,
however, Judge Mackey lost no time
In going TO the asylum and taking his
wife into his own care.
In addition to the leading argument
made by Judge Mackey, he made a
most pathetic and eloquent appeal to
the court to res ore 10 him his wife,
Judge Mackey was much affected and
moved TO tears as he spoke OF the mu-
tusl affection which exists between
himself and his wife.
During the course OF the investigation
Judge Mackey protested against the
detention of his wife 10 the asylum on
three grounds. Firei, that the act un-
der which she was com mmitted is uncou-
stitutioOsI; second, he questioned the
jurisdiction of the court 10 the prem
ses, and lastly, that Mrs. Mackey s
mental condition is not such as TO war
want her detention, nor was it such as
to cause her commitment 10 St. Eliza
beth's Asylum last spring. IL dis
posiOg Of the petition, however. Justice
Cole stated that he would not pass up
on the first TWO questions. but would
only consider the matter In connection
with Mrs. Mackey's present mental
condition. From the testimony offered
ne said be believed that her mind Was
not strong, but that it was not 10 such
a condition as to warrant her coDtne'
ment in an asylum. In fact, he be-
lieved, he said, that che would be bet
tered if permitted to 90 and live In
some rural district, where she would be
benefited by the country atmosphere.
That the court did not discuss and
Dsss upon the other two questions raised
by Judge Mackev was great disaI :
poiDtmeut to the number OF members ti
the District bar, who patiently sat
through the entire proceedings.
Mrs. Mackey was committed to the
asylum at the instance of her father,
Col. George A. Porterfield, OF Charles
town, W. Va 10 May last. Iu The pc
ition asking for her commitment II was
alleged that she was an INDECENT, add
that it would be dangerous to allow her
to be at large. When she was served
with summons to appear before the
court Mrs. Mackey left the jurisdiction
and when next heard from was in Alex
andria. Iu her testimony before the
court yesterday she stated that she wa7
induced by her brother to 60 to
Washington, and when she did 80 che
was committed to the authorities at 81
Eizabeth's Asylum. Judge Macke,
protested against his wife being com
mitted to the asylum, and has since
been seeking o have her re eased.
The fret witness called yesterday
was Deputy United States Marshall K.
S. Farmer, who testified concerning the
service of the original papers in the case
Mr.. NJ 4ckey then offered bis wife, tb'
subject of the inquiry, as a witness
She answered ali the questions asket
her promptly and intelligently. Sh'
said:
al was born March Is, 1870; was re
siding at 211 First street noithwes
when the first papers in this case wef'
served on me, in May last; was livins
with my husband. l had been here ONLY
two days. l came with my father. H'
told me he would take me for car rid
but took me to physicians office. Th
doctor told me thai | might have cor
cussion of the brain, and l replied
"Well then, might ss we'll snap buI
lat in nv head | am now kept In th'
Chestnut ward at st. Elizabeth's Asy
lum. There are six others, who are 10
sane persons, locked 10 the room will
me.
0Wheu l left Washington | went t
Alexandria, Va. From there my breth
er told me he would take me to Fairia'
Court House, Va. aud we got on a car
When got near Washington and saV
the monument knew | was not goinI
to Fairfax Court House, and trI' d u
| lump from the car. My brother he'd me
and when we got to the stotion II
Washington he put me in carriage AM
took me to the asylum"
Speaking of her treatment a. 81
Elizabeth's Hospital Mrs. Macke!
said that until lately che was made u
wash her hands and face every morn
ing in trough. Since she bad beeI
removed into the Chestnut ward sh
was furnished bowl to wash iD. Sh
also said that her husband had slway
been very kind to her-in fact nearl.
killed her with kindness.
Since she has been confined at s.
Elizsbeth's Asylum Mrs. Msckey sal
that none of her relatives had visite
her. Her father wrote to her once, bu
that was 10 reply to letter ssking hio
10 take her to his home in West Vii
einis. He refused 10 do so. Her hus
band was very considerate OF her com
fort. would visit her, write to her. an
bring and send her fruits and flower
and clothes. :,
All her troubles, Mrs. Mackey said
she brought on herself. She wante
| ko.oo xyhtoh cha did M