The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-07-27
CHARLES Il. HOYT INSANE
BRILLIANT FARCE WRITER COM
Knitted TO HARTFORD RETREAT.
Case Heard I'm Probate COurt-Statement
Made by Mr.. Hoyt Before Judge Free
mana Pathetic Scene.

| man IA EUVhctlC SCENE
| Hartford, July 26.-There was a pa
| thetic scene in the probate court, this
| forenoon, when Charles H. Hoyt, the
| playwright, appeared before Judge
| Freeman to show why he should not
| be detained in the retreat for the In
sane, in this city, as patient Inc
| gifted writer, whose brilliant wit and
| humor have made millions of people
happy, entered the court accompanied
| by DR.. Stearns, who is in charge of the
retreat, and attended by two nurses
! from the institution. He was very
| neatly dressed in a dark striped suit.
His hair was tastefully combed, and
his mustache appeared to have had re-
! cent attention from barber. He wore
heavy gold rings on one Of his fingers.
Mr.. Hoyt showed unmistakable signs
of suffering from a disorder that at
| fected his nerves and mind. His sin
| guarly delicate features had an anX-
| ous, appealing expression that was
| very affecting.
Dr.. Stearns introduced Mr., Hoyt to
Judge Freeman, who was seated at his
desk. The judge courteously acknoWl-
edged the introduction and invited Mr..
Hoyt to take a seat at the other side
of the desk opposite him. Mr.. Hoyt
with a gentle smile, took the chair to
which the judge pointed. DR.. Stearns
occupied a chair a few feet from his
patient, The only other persons in the
court room were three reporters.
Judge Nreeman, in order that Mr.. Hoyt
might be entirely fee from the re-
straining influence which their pres
ence might possibly have on him, or
dered the two attendants to remain
outside in the ante-room. Judge Free
man did not waste any time on pre-
liminaries, but invited Mr.. Hoyt to tell
his story.
Mr.. Hoyt spoke in low tone of voice,
smiling occasionally with a quiet amia-
bility. He spoke slowly and his enun-
citation was very clear. He was coher
ent, and the continuity of his statement
was maintained remarkably we'll One
of the gentlemen who were in the ante
room, and who were near enough to the
PLAYWRIGHT to overhear what he said,
was Assessor P. Davis Oakley. Mr..
Oakley has frequently heard Mr.. Hoyt
speak and he said after the court
proceedings that his voice sounded
very natural to him. Mr. Hoyt. during
his address to the court, shifted very
nervously in his chair. He would
stare steadfastly at the judge and
then turn to the doctor or to the re-
porters. When he was bringing his
statement to close he asked the court
what warrant there was for OBTAINING
him, and then turned to the reporters
on his left and repeated the question
to them. Mr. Hoyt began his statement
by saying that he was no lawyer,
though he had studied law for two
years. He looked at Judge Freeman as
he made this statement, and, thinking,
perhaps, that the judges expression
indicated a doubt, said that he had
studied law for two years with the
chief justice of New Hampshire. Judge
Freeman did not ask Mr.. Hoyt why he
did not continue his legal studies, but
the playwright thought that such
query naturally suggested itself and
answered by saying that at the end of
two years the chief justice said to him,
"Now you have got all my stories and
have got yours, and l guess you had
better get through" A smile lighted
up Mr.. Hoyts face when he told this
incident. Mr.. Hoyt, referring to his
coming to Hartford, said he was lured
to this city, and that he would never
have come here If he had thought the
purpose Of taking him was to put him
into the insane retreat. 81 know very
little about Hartford" said Mr.. Hoyt,
land I know but very few people here"
He paused to think of those whom he
knows here. and then said: II know
James E. Craig, who is associated with
William Redfield in business. / know
Will Redf1eld too I do not know
that | have seen Mr.. Craig since my
wife's death" Mr.. Hoyt said he could
not just then recall the names of any
more Hartford pe0ple whom he knew.
He said he did not know any more peo-
pie In Hartford than he knew In other
towns which he has visited, He said he
had not had an opportunity of consult
Ing with a lawyer, and that he was
very anxious to have legal advice be-
fore his case was disposed of He re-
ferred to his business partner, Mr. Nc
Kee. saying that he could not under
stand his course regarding him. Mr..
Mckee is a good business man. I am
lOl llutll III DuSlleSS dllduS. MY WOTk
is in writing farces, and If / am good
for anything at all it is for that, per-
hapG'' said Mr. Hoyt, with a degree Of
modesty that belongs always to gen
uine merit. He said he had placed him
self in charge OF Dr. Dana of New
York, who, he said, is the greatest spe-
cialist in America.
at is on DIR. Dana's certificate that
YOU have been detained" said Judge
Freeman.
well, | don't want to say anything
to detract from DR.. Dana's reputation,
replied Mr., Hoyt, but he still insisted
that he should not be kept against his
will in the insane retreat. 'Now, your
honor" said Mr.. Hoyt, when he was
bringing his statement to a close, lis
there anything to warrant my further
detention?' He turned to the reporters
and repeated the question to them.
DR.. Stearns asked Judge freeman If
he wished to hear anything more. and
Judge Freeman said he didn't At
sign from DIR. Stearns Mr. Hoyt rose in |
his chair to leave the court room, He |
fingered a moment, standing facing the |
judge, and his face assuming an ex-
preston of intense mental anguish. he |
said in a falteling voice: Your honor,
| have had great deal of trouble |
have lost my wife and child, and / have
had other troubles DO not add to |
them :"
Tears glistened in his eyes, and his |