The Washington times., 1901-07-20
MRS. CLAPP'S Case HEARD.
She is Adjudged Insane and Com.
mitted to st. Elizabeth's.
Rambling Testimony of the Former
Society Woman Peculiar state
ments i'm COurt-Mrs. Daviesj Sons
Care for Her-Other Commitments.

Mrs. Catherine w. Clapp. the wife of
| Robert Woodbridge Clapp. was yesterday
committed to St Elizabeth s, Hospital for
the Insane for treatment after an enquiry
relative to fer mental condition had been
| held by Justice Bradley, sitting for pro-
bate business. 4 large number of per-
sons other than those interested in the
| proceedings attended the hearing.
Mrs. Clapp was dressed in a gown of
| white material, cut low neck and short
a secret order of which she is a men,
Der. During the course of the proceed
ings she frequently interrupted the wit
nesses testifying relative to her mental
condition with the statement that they
were Incorrect in their testimony. She
also requested Justice Bradley to allow
her to make statement. When assured
by the court that this privilege would be
accorded her, she remained quiet until
her husband was called to testify. She
interrupted him several times, but he
took no notice of the remarks.
During his testimony Mr. Clapp stat
ed that he was unable to bear the expense
of providing for the care of his wife at
a private institution. This irritated Mrs.
Clapp, who said that she objected to be-
ing sent to pubnc institution when her
husband was able to pay s., 900 a week
for her care and treatment Justice
Bradley reminded Mrs. Clapp that her
husband stated that he is unable to pay
for her care and treatment Then"
said Mrs. Clapp, III get one that can,
and that's settled right now"
When finally Mrs. Clapp was given an
opportunity to make statement in her
own behalf, she insisted, before begin
ming, in knowing the name of the justice
she was addressing. Justice Bradley in
formed her that it was not necessary
that she should be informed and request
ed her to relate her story Mrs Clapp
then asked that she be allowed to stand
while she spoke. This privilege was ac-
corded her and she then turned to the
newspaper reporters present and request
ed them to record her statements cor
rectly. as she had been misrepresented.
she said, by a certain press agency.
In speaking Of her recent trip to New
York. Mrs. Clapp stated that she did not
wear n bonnet, because only servants
wore them. She also stated that while
there she suffered from a heat stroke"
Turning then to the reporters, she said:
Boys, you know there is a great differ
ence between a heat stroke and a sun
stroke" She also stated that thirty-five
years ago she married William ]. Laland
of the Grand Hotel, New York She had
however refused to marry Kim, she de-
clared. before she accepted him.
At this stage of her testimony Justice
Bradley informed Mrs. Clapp that he did
not desire to hear any more details of
her story. She insisted on continuing, but
the court declined TO hear her
1t is stated that Mrs. Clapp was at one |
time well-known society woman of this |
city, and frequently entertained most |
lavishly. Robert w. Clapp. her hus- |
band, is a well-known business man of |
Washington. He and his wife were in |
New York about ten days ago and while |
there Mrs. Clapp was lodged in the in
sane pavilion at Bellevue Hospital. She
was arrested on complaint of a clerk OF /
the Hotel Roland, on East Fifty-ninth
Street
On reaching Washington Il few days !;
afterward Mrs. Clapp was sent to the
Asylum Hospital, from
which she was transferred To the insane
asylum last Tuesday. Mr.. Clapp, in his /
petition. alleges his wife is a lunatic of
homiciddl and otherwise dangerous ten
dencies and unfit to be at large in the
Justice Bradley appointed Drs. ]. Ram
scy Nevitt and D. Percy Hickling to ex-
anime Mrs Clapp. 1t is stated that Mrs.
Clapps sanity was called in question by |
he local authorities about five years ago, |
md that she was adjudged insane Ey a |
narshals jury. Drs. Hickling and hewitt
estiiied in regard [, Mrs. Clapp's condi-
ion on that occasion. and they We're Sc |
ected to examine her again because of
heir familiarity with her case at that
lime.
Both physicians testified yesterday that
Mrs. Clapp is of unsound mind and a fit
subject for treatment in asylum for
he insane. Her commitment was there
upon ordered
In the case Mrs Sarah r.. Davies.