The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-01-19


county jail Chief Bruels today re-
ceived a letter from brother of the
unfortunate man, Martin Odland, who
now resides at Madison, Wis but who
was formerly principal of the high
school at Deerfield, Wis. A special
delivery stamp was attached to the
envelope. The letter is as follows:
511 Francis St., Madison, Wis.
Jan. II, 1900.
To the Chief of Police,
Mankato, Mimi.
My Dear Sir: l have just read a
newspaper dispatch regarding Lewis
Odland, who is being held at Mankato,
and l hasten to communicate with you
concerning him. He is my brother
His home is at Meckling, Clay county,
S. Dakota. He is insane, having for
three months been confined in the
asylum at Yankton, S. d. He was
taken out last July by his brothers,
who live there and given chance to
work, as he rebelled against his con-
finement in the hospital, and in the
early part of October was allowed to
set off on foot for Madison, Wis, where
he had attended the state university
for two years, and where he wished
very much to stay. The authorities
of Clay county advised that he be al
lowed to go, as in their opinion he pro-
perly belonged In Madison, having ac
quired citizenship here while a student
in the university His brothers were
in way DESTROYS to have him come to
Madison, as they felt that he would
receive better treatment in the hospital
here than at Yankton. They were
anxious to have him accompany me on
the train, but he stubbornly refused to
do so. preferring to tramp it, and thus
provide himself with material for
literary work. 1t was thought he
would be able to take good care of
himself on the way, as he was intelli
ligent in most respects, and had
travelled as a hnbo in England, Scot
it seems he took a notion to go by way
of Minneapolis and ST. Paul, thus de-
laying his progress toward Madison.
He has communicated from time to
time with the post masters at Vermil-
lion and Meckling. S d, directing his
mail to be sent to such and such a
place.
Now, he must not be allowed to go
on that way any longer. He must be
sent either to Madison or back to Clay
county, S, D If the authorities here
are willing to receive bin, it is prefer
able that he be sent here. If not, he
must be returned to Dakota | shall
consult the attorney general here at
once, and write to ny brothers in 5.
D Dakota In the meanwhile will you
continue to hold him at Mankato?
hope you will not let go of him until he
is taken in charge by the proper
authorities. as tremble to think of his
running at large any more.
What he says of his education is
true. He has been remarkable
student, and his insanity is due to
overstudy.
Will you kindly inform me at once
what you haye done with him?
Yours very sincerely.
MARTIN ODLAND.
Odland continues to refuse food, and
is growing weaker, now being obliged
to lean against something when he
stands up.
This forenoon Gates Phillips was adj
mitted to the cell room of the Jail. tax
ing with him some milk, He repre-.
sented to Odland that he was an officer
sent to take him to Madison, and told
him that he must drink some of the
milk. Odland refused to do it as long
as he was confined in the Jail. Mr..
Phillips put up a strong talk and told
him that he had authority to make
him eat. Odland wanted to see the
papers that gave him such authority.
Mr.. Phillips told him to never mind
the papers, he had the authority and
proposed to use it. Odland held his
mouth shut. but finally opened it after
having been given little shaking up.
At first he would not swallow the milk
that was poured into his mouth, but he
was afterwards induced to do so, and
drank little of the milk. He had
claimed that he wanted to fast three
more days. Odland became quite
friendly with Mr.. Phillips and asked
him numerous questions. He said that
if taken to restaurant he would take
some soup.
DR.. Davis was notified of the change
and gave instructions to let Odland
have some soup, but that he was not to
be allowed to eat too much.
State Agent Gates arrived today and
after learning the facts in the case de.
cided to take Odland to Meckling, S.
D., and turn him oyer to his brother
there. In case the brother refuses to
accept him, Mr. Gates will take him to
the asylum at Yankton. Mr.. Gates
went to st. Peter this afternoon to look
after some matters, and will return
Monday and take Odland away.
This afternoon, Sheriff Gerlich got
Odland to take some more milk by
threats of force and by holding the cup
to his mouth. Odland declared that he
would take no milk until an ear of corn
with the husks on and big yellow