Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-08-20
FRED BECKER'S
MILD INSANITY
RATIONAL ON MOST SUBJECTS,
BUT DOUBTLESS MENTALLY
UNBALANCED.
COMMISSION DECIDES TO
SEND HIM TO ASYLUM,
Has Been in Asylums Several Times
Delivered Himself to the
Authorities.

The mental condition of Fred w. Beck |
err was examined into before the county
commissioners and Drs. Schwartz and
Sullivan this afternoon and at the conclu-
sion of the investigation Becker was pro-
nounced insane. His case. however, is
not bad and with proper treatment he
may 10Y
Becker came Originally from Oregon,
having been born at the Dalles, but in re-
cent years has been living in the state of
Washington with his parents. In March
he came to Butte and became an agent
for a piano firm. A short time tgo a
change in his actions vas noticed. He
seemed to realize the fact that he was
not right, or one day last week he walked
into the cour house and turned himself
over to the sheriff. He is a strapping big
man, being about six feet 4 or 5 inches
high, 235 pounds in weight and raw bon-
ed. A day or two ago the sheriff receiv-
ed a letter from j. P. Becker of Ellens-
burg, WASH, stating that the tone of the
Butte Becker's letters to him indicated
that something was wrong. The letter
also said the Butte man had been in the
Washington asylum several times since
1892, having been released the last time
only about a year ago. On one occasion
he had escaped from them and when they
found him he was $50 miles away and
nearly frozen to death. The writer of the
letter described the Butte man and ask
ed that he be taken care Of, as his mother
was much worried about him.
AT the examination Becker was Dues
toned about himself and while he talked
rational enough on some subjects his
speech was generally of a rambling ma
ture. He tolerater no interruption when
talking and sucked a cigar like a thor
oughbred. He had some wounds on his
head and hands and was asked by what
means he had come by them. ut was like
this, gentlemen" sale he. yesterday I
was up in Jail and Jesse James n an
other man came in and were going to do
me. One of them had a club and he struck
me with it. Jesse James struck at me and
l put him out in two econds. They are
jealous of me up there because 1 am a
better cowboy than they are"
At this juncture lie produced a piece of
leather resembling a cat-~o'-nine-tails,
with the exception that its tails num-
bered only three.
"They We're going to hang me with
that said he, tossing it over to DR..
Schwartz.
with this?' answered the doctor, ex-
amining the leather.
''Why, yes; I could choke you to death
in three seconds with that" remarked
Becker; but DR.. Schwartz did not permit
him to the sincerity of his
convictions.
What have you done during your
life?" said DR.. Schwartz, taking up an
other subject.
well, now, gentlemen answered
Becker. eff you VII ask me what I have
not done I can tell it quicker" Then he
smiled. He was not pressed for an an
swer.
During the examination Becker got up
and looked at the maps on the walls, and
on leaving the room shook hands with
Chairman Clark of the board and several
others and thanked all for what they
had done for him.
He was ordered to the asylum.