Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1903-07-29

the proper ward
That OF the afternoon Of the dav fol
lowing her admission. confinement being
deemed unnecessary by the physician in
charge OF her ward. Mrs Thurman was
removed to the Center ward" and Civ
en- the entire freedom of the grounds
and buildings, a far a. they can be given
to patient, where she remained until
the day of her discharge.
That on or about the 18th dav Of Nav
1903, the friends and relatives Of Mrs
Thurman rails ed the question OF her san
ity, and also the question that the com
mission committing her had not made
the examination required by law. and
that the proceedings Of said commission.
and the commitment under them. were
absolutely illegal A Superintendent
Of the Hospital I suggested. that instead
Of any legal steps being taken. that she
be allowed 10 remain in the Hospital for
such time as would allow the physicians
by actual, daily, observation of her. TO de
termine FIR themselves the question Of
her sanity. As stated above. her trouble
was alleged to be violent homicidal and
suicidal mania, with paroxysms recurring
at regular stated periods; and in my
opinion. and in that Of my assistants. il
was most desirable that we should have
the opportunity Of observing the patient
during two Of these alleged periods
" hen this ar~raltf,, --o- ~. a.. n
Thurman she at once saw its force and
cheerfuily consented TO leave the matter
entirely in our hands. Her friends.
wishi 2 to have the matter Of her sanity
conclusiyely settled and set at rest. con
CURED in our view.
That both my assistants and myself.
watched her case with the very closest
scrutiny and care. leaving nothing IN
done that would enable US to properly
diagnose her case.
That from May 9Th, 1903. until June
ssth, 1903, she was under our daily OBJ
servation, and as not the slightest svmp-
tom or manifestation Of insanity oc-
Cured during that time. and as two Of
the stated, recurring. periods had passed
without the slightest change being man
ifest from her normal condition we
then being thoroughly convinced that
she was perfectly sane. on said lastnamed
date, Mrs. Thurman was. on our own
motion. discharged from the Hospital.
| stated in her discharge that she was
not insane, and that no manifestation OF
insanity had appeared while she was in
the Hospital
That during the time Mrs Thurman
was in the Hospital herconduct and con-
verssiion was always that Of an unusual
ly intelligent, refined. cultured. Christian
lady; and during the entire time she was
here, she never uttered one single nm
kind word, or made a harsh or bitter
criticism, even against the authors Of
her suffering. That her consideration.
for. and conduct towards. those around
her was such, that she endeared herself
10 patients, nurses. and all with whom
she came in contact. And il appeared
10 be her constant effort 10 do n in her
power TO make lighter and more bearable
the burdens. and the suffering and soy
row of the unfortunates with whom she
was surrounded.
That Mrs. Thurman is "a woman OF
unusual intellect, strength of character
and self-control. is conclusivelv shown
by the fact chat she did not break down.
or her mind give way. under the ordeal
of the peculiar circumstances attending
her commitment and admission.
That on June Goth. 1903. l wrote to
General Charles Thurman al Berrvville.
Va. that Mrs. Thurman had been recon.
mended for discharge, no symptom of
insanity having been manifest since she
had been in the Hospital, and that she
requested me 10 state that upon her dis
charge she desired TO go To Bristol. Va.
to visit her sister. That after sufiicien,
time for this letter to have been received
by General Thurman, and for tlese let
tiers TO have been written and received
by me, l received several letters from
parties IN Berryville. stating that Mrs
Thurman was insane, though sane 3
times, and one stating That il was III
impression in Berryvile that Mrs. Thur
man was mentally unbalanced. but IA,
writer did not state il as his opinion.
That on June 25th. 1908, not havip.
mp 10 that time received reply 10 M,
letter 10 Gen Thurman, again wrou
him. substantially TO The same effect
thinking my former letter had not beer
received, and sdded that June 9Th wa.
the date fixed for her discharge, anl
that she would be discharged on thai
day unless be came for her. This las
letter crossed in the mails Gen. Thur
mans reply 10 my hrs, letter which ]
received on June SNth, 1908, snd which
is as follows,
BERRNvIIE. VA, June 9ith. 1908.
/ DIR. BLACKFoRn.
Dear Sit; Enclosed find check fol
/ Fifteen dollars for ticket 10 Bristol
/ Think desire TO Visit sister was good
/ Until question of her future home car
/ be Settled.
/ \ on can say o her will confer Will
/ her brother in law Mr. T. II Scucker be
tore / take any action. and viii allow
/ her all the law viii give without an,
+ trouble or expense.
Rc>pt
CHNELk> rutRNNN
ThA; a,y las, letter was never an
swered, and This is the only commuui
cation received from General Thur
man