Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-09-23
JOHN ARMSTRONG CHANLER

The story Of the reappearance of John
Armstrong Chsnler has excited the
deepest interest. 1t is undenisble thst
10 the neiborbood of "Merrie Mills
and ''Csstle HILL" where come years OF
his life were spent, there are many who
have not wsvered in their conviction
that Mr.. Chauler was badly treated be-
fore the divorce which separated him
from Amelie Rives, worse treated by
that decree, aud outraged by his con-
6nemer t 10 BloomiDgdale.
la this last affair they saw nothing
less than O selfish effort on the part OF
his brother and sisters to get control OF
his vast means. Il must not be under
stood, however, that DO doubt existed
in the neigbborhood of "Merrie Mills"
his Albemsrle home, as to bis sanity.
To the early spring of 1897 bis studious
retirement wss intruded upon by o
brother, Winthrop Chanler. OF New
York, and a friend. who evadiDg the
valet, reached Mr.. Chanler's room by q
side entrance. They were received
with evident lack of welcome. During
their CONVEX alton The valet, who had
been orde ed to allow no one to enter
"Merrie Mills"unless over that servitor's
dead body, appeared on the scene prob
ably to make explanations. His master
interrupting the conversation for o
moment for that purpose, coolly kicked
bis man down stairs and quickly re-
s0me1 the interview.
For time ii seemed certain that be
would persist in his refusal to return to
New York, but upon the agreement OF
nis brother that be should be accom-
panied by his valet and be allowed alb
solute freedom, be at last consented,
end took hurried departure, driving
across the Southwest Mountain to board
a northbound Southern Railway train.
After the party had reached New York
his brother urged him to 90 to private
sanitarium for treatment, which he re.
fused to do until his valet assured him
that be would be there but brief time
aud his illness permanently cured
o nee In Bloomingdsle, all the world
knows his stay was for time limited
only by bis escape.
Another dispatch from Charlottesville
says: John Armstrong Chsnler, through
Counsel Woods. indig gnsntly denies that
he has any correspondence, direct or in-
direct, with his former wife, Amelie
Rives, either since his escape from
Bloomipgdale or at any time since their
divorce.
II is said that at the next term OF Al
bemarle County Court action will be
brought to have Chapler adjudged sane
If this attempt is successful ChaDler's
counsel will make an effort to get the
courts of New York to recognizs the
competency OF the order OF the Virginia
Court. II they can do this Chanler will
be free from danger of a second con-
6uement, and then his counsel will
proceed to recover bis property aod
force full accounting of all funds that
are in or have passed through the COM
mitteeman's hands. There is talk OF q
suit for damages on the ground OF con-
sDiracY and unlawful oollusion TO con-
fac Cnsoler In 40 ssylum.
A dispatch from New York says:
Speaking Saturday of John Armstrong
Chanler, who escaped from the Bloom
iugdale Asylum, Augustus Van Wyck,
one OF Mr.. Chambers attorneys, said:
"There Is no doubt that Mr.. Chanler Is
entirely compos mentis. Since his es-
cape from Boomingdsle, as has been
stated, he has been under the scrutiny
Of the very best specialists in this eoun-
Try. They have all expressed them.
selves as satisfied that he Is sound OF
mind and able to take care of his pri-
vste fairs. AS to his future course, l
am not ct liberty to talk. Since he has
been 10 Virginia be has been engaged in
preparing a book on psychology. When
it is to be published and by whom !
cannot tell just now" Mr.. Van Wyck
would not say If it was Mr.. Chanler's
intention to return to New York soop.