Sunday Washington globe., 1902-06-15

Mr.. Seth l.. Clark an old and well known
citizen, has had an experience with "ex-
pert Dr. Richardson which he will not for
get the balance of his life. Mr.. Clark was
laid up at his residence from an old wound
in the leg which affected his whole side
and made him helpless. He was at the
time a $500 department employe and was
being waited on by DR.. Woodward the
health officer, whose brother married a
daughter of Mr.. Clark. Mr. Clark's regular
physician was Dr. Corey but the health
officer took an interest in the case which
was anything but.friendly as will be seen
further along The doctor ran up a bill of
$50 for professional services and then
called in Expert Richardson DR.. Richard
son put Mr.. Clark through an examination
which excited his risbilities, and he de-
cided to have some fun with the expert"
Or. Richardson asked:
"Do you drink. Mr. Clark"
'Yes, sir drink. I have been 80 years
in the ordnance Office of the War Depart
ment"
Drink much7"
"Well when I am thirsty lift the bart.
to my mouth and drink out of the buug
hole
How much at timer"
About gallon, and if that quantity does
not slack my thirst drink quart of alcohol
on top of it," Whereupon DIR. Richardson
decided that the joking Mr.. CLARK was in
sane
At the time of the examination Mr.. Clark
could not lift tin cup and he supposed any
physician could easily see his condition
The next day Health Officer Woodward
testified that Mr Clark was iudigeut, had
no means of support, etc AT the time Mr..
Clark was drawing 81 200 per annum salary,
was the owner Of the premises 7I2 + street.
northeast, and held seven shares of tie
Capital Traction Company's stock. WheM
Mr. Clark was brought to court to be com
mitted to St. Elizabeth he concluded the
joke had gone far enough and asked to
speak to the Judge; butthis was prevented
and the Joker was landed in St. Elizabeth's
Meantime, his sou-in-law, the brother of
Health officer Woodward took charge of
his estate. firing Of St. Elizabeth's and
recovering the use of his side and limbs,
after some months he secured pass from
DR.. Logic and came over TO the city. He
visited lawyer Jefford and told him the
whole story. The lawyer was astounded
and tested Mr.. Clark in every conceivable
way, as we'll as investigated the facts. He
then notified him that he would take his
case without a fee, purely as a matter Of
justice as he had never heard of such an
outrage in his life. The expert hearing of
the proceedings about to be instituted, noti-
fed Mr.. Clark that he was discharged
cured that he owed the hospital s277. 90
for board from the date of admission to
the date of your elopement." Mr.. Clark re-
visited the hospital to secure information as
to whom he eloped with, and was inform.
ed that that was an expression of DR.. Rich
ardsons to indicate that he had left without
permission, whereupOn Mr.. Clark exhibited
DR.. Logie's pass and the incident was per-
emptorly closed.
Mr. Clark cannot see if he was INDECENT
at the time of his admission how he is in
debted to DR.. Richardson in the sum of
$277, besides his relatives inform him that
his board was regularly paid. Mr.. Clark is
a Civil War veteran aud but for the injury
to his limb would be as lively in gait as he
is in wit
However he is "cured" of practical Joking.
but as he says. himself he had no idea that
a sane man could be taken from his own
house and transferred to St. Elizabeth's so
expeditiously and without hearing.
He informs the GLOBE that one-third of
the inmates at St. Elizabeth are as sane as
DT. RICHARDSON AID that the hospital IS an
asylum for numerous individuals whose
families do not want them at home and
others who prefer to live there because Of
the good, easy time tAey are having as
lunatics He says that immortality is ram
pant and subject of general comment at
the hospital among the insane (?l inmates.
Mr. Clark is now a resident of Floris, Va
He has several children besides the
daughter referred to, one Of his sons is an
employe of Woodward & Lothrop's, and
another Is Mr.. Madison Clark, the we'll
known newspaper solicitor.
This case certainly calls for the scalp"
Of the Ohio expert. Goose flesh hardly de-
scrihes the condition Of our cuticle when
we imagine DR.. Richardson's eye resting on
US in expert fashion and our speedy transfer
to St. Elizabeths. There is no man safe
outside of Congress from an enforced resi-
dence at the hospital if Dr. Richardson is
called in as an expert to examine into his
mental condition
The President will hear Of "Rebecca" in