The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-07-27
Pathetic ScsnsWhsn Playwright Asked
Court Not TO Lock Him Up.
HE PLEADED HIS CASE VERY WELL
His Bearing That Of q Man Much Shattered,
But His Remarks Were Rational Through
out the Trying Ordeal

Hartford. July 27.--Judge of Probate
Harrison B. Freeman yesterday commit
ted to the Retreat for the Insane Of this
city, Charles III. Hoyt, the playwright
who was present at the hearing and pro-
tested against the action. He was
brought to Hartford on Tuesday from
his home In Charlestown, N. H., and was
committed temporarily.
lie asked to be present when his case
should be heard and permission was
granted. He was brought into the pro-
bate Office in the Halls of Record By Dr.
Henry Il. Stearns, the head OF the 5nsti-
tuition. lie was clothed In a suit of blue
flannel through which ran lines of white.
His bearing was that OF a man much
shattered. His remarks were slow In ut
terance but his meaning was clear ana
his words well chosen. lie was seated In
a chair opposite the Judge. His remarks
were rational. He looked ur from under
his eyebrows while speaking.
He played constantly with his thumps
and his eyes wandered about the room.
Mr.. did most of the talking, with
interrogations by the judge now and then.
He said he hoped he would not be COM
mitted until opportunity had been given
TO him TO procure counsel. He admitted
that ais condition was such that he need
ed rest and medical attention. but he said
he did not think he required permanent
confinement When asked II he had any
relatives he said he believed he had
cousin in Vermont. He had not COM
municated with her I'm many years
though.
$50 far as I know she is the only reia-
tive I have In the world. But why shoui1
i be deprived OF my liberty
To this the Judge replied that Hoyt him.
self had admitted he needed rest ana at
tention. and that physicians or learning
had said as much.
"I will commit you until you are well,
and when the doctors say you are so,
there will he no trouble In your getting
ont again" said Judge Freeman.
"But with whom will II rest 10 say
whether I am well?" said the playwright.
..The physicians who are In charge or
any physicians that you want, repned
the Judge.
anv nhysician whom he would like TO
have examine him. Hoyt reflected mo-
mont and then mentioned DIR. Pease or
tho Hoffman House, New York.Hoyt then
said:
~ don't. want to be shut up. i do not
know inst what TO do. ! don't know
w. L
and at the end of the year asked the
LAWYER with whom ! was studying how
he thought ] was getting on. lie said,
We'll, Hoyt, / know all your stories, ana
YOU know all mine.
Hoyt smiled family and said:
s,rhat is what he thought had learned
in my year of study, so i gave up the
law. But | do hope. judge. you will grant
q stay of proceedings for few days and
Ter me consult "A lawyer. II you knew how
was iuveigled into coming here you
would understand the matter better. L
have been taken advantage of by those
whom | considered my friends My part
ner. Mr. Mckee. came TO me some years
ago as advance agent for one-night stand
companies From that advanced him to
partnership.
sHe was to have an interest by paying
me so much from time 10 time. He made
a couple of payments. and that was all,
but have let the business run along just
the same / am not business man,
Judge. What ability possess, If pos
sess any, Is In writing plays. I cannot
manage them. Mr. Mckee is a good man,
as you will find on looking into this mat
ter.
~ supposed was getting along all
right added Hoyt. IT was under the
care of Or. Dana. who Is an eminent
specialist I'm this line"
sDr. Dana thought you should be con-
fined Mr. Hoyt." said Judge Freeman.
Mr. Hoyt was silent for a few moments,
and then said: ~"
''I cannot help that. Nor am here TO
decry DIR. Dana's ability. but think
ought not TO be committed I am about
as much stranger in Hartford as could
he anywhere. Let me see whom do
know here?" He thought short time
and said:
81 know Mr. ]. w. Craig think he Is
of the firm OF A. Il. Redfed, also know
William Redheld and Henry McManus."
In reply to Judge Freeman's question.
he said he had not seen either of them
for some years.
Just as he was to leave the room after
hearing the decision he turned about and
said pathetically:
81 have had great deal OF trouble
Judge. lost my wife and my chill"
Then he grew quiet. "I don't want TO
make any trouble" he continued and then
he appeared to be breaking down and DIR:
Stearns touched his arm and he looked
around and bowed himself out.
Drs. Frank l.. Lawton and Gideon c.
Segur. who have examined Mr. Aoyt
says he has paresis The institution where
Mr.. Hoyt Is to be confined is one of the
finest OF the country and was once the
home OF Angelina Allen. IL is said that
the citizens of Charlestown, N. H., feel
much aggrieved over Hoyts condition
Many OF his friends there contend that
he Is no worse of at present than at any
time during the last two years. and they
think he should he allowed his liberty
Letters received from Charlestown say
that there Is n sentiment there I'm favor
OF contesting the legality Of the commit