The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-22
SAYS he WAS KIDNAPPED.
ARTIST ALLEN SEEKS RELEASE
FROM 4 SANITARJUM.
Appeals TO Clarence LexOw TO Help Him
20 FreedOm-Says He Has $40 900
IN New York and Can Pay His Debts
Physicians Say That He Is Insane.

TusstciaHs Suy huut btc - husuuc.
When the commissioners appointed by
Supreme Court Justice Keogh met at the
office of ex-Corporation Counsel Michael j.
Tierney at New Rochelle yesterday to in
quire into the alleged incompetency Of
William S. Allen, former society man
and artist, who had country residence at
Rye. Mr.. Allen made the assertion
that he was kidnapped and imprisoned
in a sanitarium, and that he Is prevented
from communicating with his counsel
Mr. Allen comes from wealthy New York
family and he says that he is cousin Of
Mrs. Jack Wilmerding The proceedings
to declare him insane and incompetent
we're brought by his uncle. +. II. Sutton.
| rich resident of Bloomfield, n. j. He
has a sister. Mrs. James H. Ward, who is
travelling in Japan. Mr.. Sutton is repre-
sented by Samuel G. Herman Of Manhattan.
Mr. Allen asked that he be represented
by counsel and the commissioners, who are
Mr.. Tierney and Arthur Ludlow Clark,
adjourned the case until Dec TO give him
an opport unity to confer with his counsel,
Clarence Lexow. with whom he says he
has been intimately acquainted for twenty
six years
Mr.. Sutton testified that his nephew was
suffering from hallucinations and that
he believes he is pursued by creditors
who are trying TO get Possession of his
body
DR.. rutland. proprietor OF a sanitarium
at Westport, Conn, testified that Allen
had been an inmate there for about six
years and that he was suffering from
paranoia. DR.. Samuel Beyea of New
Rochelle, who examined Allen only a few
hours before the meeting, agreed with
DR. Rutland.
Allen was brought in and allowed to ties =
tify. He said that he and his sister were
| orphans. that they had inherited a fort
une and were brought up in luxury. The
witness said he was educated in art in
London andParis and studied in several uni
| versities in Germany. After his return
| from Europe he established a studio in
New York. where he did illustrating for
! magazines. He said he made $4,000 in
| illustrating one book and that he was also
a painter and had studio at Newport 4.
where he had painted pictures for o. H. p.
| Belmont and other society people. He
went To Newport in 1898, but, owing 10
eXtravagant living. met WIZ reverses
| and ran heavily into debt
The alleged incompetent says he has
500 90 III trust, left to him by his grand
mother. Ethel Linda Allen. OF this $4,000
! IL in the United States Trust Company and
another $4,000 in the Farmers Loan and
| Trust Company.
Allen said that he was kidnapped from
the home of his sister in Rye by two New
| York doctors, who took him To Connect
! and placed him In the sanitarium At
| first. he says, he was allowed tho priv
J lege of the library. but for the last nine
\ months he has been confined TO hall room.
| Il have a 5000 library at Rye, raid the
witness, "and there are enough pictures
| locked up in my sisters storeho,ise to pay
| all my debts | have written TO my sister,
who is travelling in Japan. but have re-
| ceived no answer. The only explanation
can ma Ike of these proceedings is that my
| relatives have no regard for me"
Allen says that Lawyer Herman is his
| brot her-in-law. He made no direct charge
against anyone connected with the pro-
| ceedings.
| The relatives deny that Allen was pre-
| vented from communicating with his
! lawyers. They say that IL he regains his
| liberty he il sure to make trouble for him
self and them, and that il is not safe for
| him TO have possession Of his estate. be-
cause he will throw his money away
After the close Of the hearing to-day
| Commissioner Tierney took Allen iato his
| private Office. where he dictated a letter
| 10 Clarence LeXow. Mr.. Tierney was so
much impressed with Aliens story and
! with his refined manner that he also wrote a
| letter to Mr. LeXow. in which he said he
| would hold the case open 10 give Allen an
| opportunity to present all the testimony
! that he could obtain in his own behalf.