The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-09-29

I he came to be missed from his accustomed
haunts. It was given out hat he was in
Europe: but in the fall Of 1897 he became
very Ill. end then the fact Of his c~onfine-
ment in an asylum became known.
HIS ESCAPE.
Mr.. Chanler was never under close sur
veillanoe. He had Q most luxuriously
equipped apartment. furnished at his own
expense, and here hi had books Of his own
choosing. He wa allowed much freedom In
his long walks about the grounds. the at
tendants exercising but q careless super
vision over his movements. While taking
one Of these walks. IN November q. 1900.
Nj. Chanler suddenly disappeared There
wa not . trace Of his whereabouts A Wig
orous search was at once instituted, but
beyond reports that he had been seen In va
aous suburbs Of New York, and sven in the
metropolis not . trace Of him was dis
covered.
A letter received by the superintendent Of
the asylum from Mr.. Chanler. stated that
he would return to the asylum as soon as
he had attended to certain matters: but he
neither returned nor could he be found.
At first It was thought that he had gone
on q trip abroad But a close watch Of
steamships IN both sides Of the Atlantic
failed to discover him. and tho idea Of q
foreign trip had to be abandoned.
Then the impression became general that
he had either committed suicide or been
killed by accident In the course Of his wan
derings Many theories were advanced, but
pot one Of them was in any measure cor
3ect. None guessed that he was within a
6sw hours ride Of New York, in his right
mind. in improving health, and, with WON
derful persistence. carrying out a plan hat
would clear him Of the suspicion Of in
sanity.
HIS sroRY.
It was not until the other day, when he
made his appearance In court, that the true
story became known. This u It, a. It IL
told by his attorneys:
o the 18th of March. 1891, Mr.. Chan
lef. then q citizen Of Albemarle County,
Virginia. visiting In New York. wa
committed to Bloomingdals Asylum. at
White Plains. N. z, on an order Of q
Judge Of the Supreme Court of that
State.
o Thanksgiving evening. 100. after
numerous f~ruitless efforts to secure le-
gal counsel. having managed to borrow
from . friend q few dollars, he escaped
from the asylum and went to Philadel- |
phia. There. under the guiss Of an at
torney representing Q client. no submit
ted his case to . distinguished neurolo-
gfst. Doctor J. Madison Taylor, and upon
Doctor Tsylor.s expression of willing
ness TO assume charge Of his alleged cli-
snt he disclosed his identity.
In order to afford Doctor Taylor am
Ma tfFaA and npNneA,nNA~ 60 1
ton. Mr.. Chanler Of his own motion and
without compulsion repaired to q private
sanitarium in Philadelphia. under the
charge Of Doctor Taylor, n remained
thrs for six months. During this time
number Of eminent a~lienists. neurolo-
gists and psychoiosists were called in
consultation by Doctor Taylor. and tho
records Of the proceedings in Louisa
County disclose the unanimous opinion
Of al these experts q to Mr.. CHAMBERS
sanity.
"IAtR. having placed himself IN touch
with his counsel By correspondence, he
came to Virginia n lived At Lynch
burg up to September - when hs re.
turned to his home, county Of Able
marie. where he now h, and where pro-
ceedingB win Be Instituted, under tho
Virginia statutes. to demonstrate be-
fore Q court Of competent Jurisdiction.
md In Affirmative manner. his entire
sanity.
M. Chanier. who. since his ESCAPE
from Bloomingdale. has been believed by
many persons to b dead. md BY many
others to BE- living abroad. IL the picture |,
Of vigorous physical health, while his
SOUND mentality 70 vouched for b. such