The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1906-12-20
SANE BOY IN ASYLUM
Investigators Make Startling Dis
covcry at Harrisburg Institution.
ccNFlnCp WITH CRAZY PEOPLE

;hlrteen-Year-Old Lad Locked Up
With Insane Adults On Order Of
Judge-WesIthy Insane AS Pau
pers.
Harrisburg. Pa. Dec. lS.-A pitiable
discovery was made by the legisla-
tive lunacy commission while inves-
tigating conditions at the PennsylVa-
MIA hospital al Harrisburg
Leon Brobst. bright-eyed, intelli-
gent 10y OF IL years. it was admitted
by DR.. H.. h. Ortiz. superintendent OK
the institution. was confined IN the
asylum. He was the only boy in the
hospital His only associates were in
sane men. almost all Of bad morals.
Or. Orth declared the boy was not in
sane. or even weak minded. Yet the
boy was confined in the ward. lie
was I'm fun possession OF all his facul-
ties. and was unusually bright for
boy Of his age.
The members OF the institution were
astoundcd Mr.. Walton at once or
dered the boy TO be- brought before
the commission.
What is your nance" asked Mr..
Walton.
Leon William Brobst." answered
the boy. in singularly musical voice.
His. head erect. his brown. melancholy
eyes aighted with hope he stood be-
fore the investigating committee.
wonderfully manly little figure.
Il i've in Reading went on the
boy. in answer 10 questions from Mr..
Walton and John r. X. Scott, attor-
ncy lor the commission. I'm the
only child my parents have. They
live al SOL Franklin street in Read
ing"
why are you here? What is the
matter with you?" was Mr.. Walton's
query.
"Nothinr." said the boy. I'm in
with a loi Of crazy people. but I'm all
right can read ana write, and 90
sums i'm arithmetic.
Mr Walton demanded to know how
the boy had gotten into the asylum.
ur. Orih replied that it was on court
order. This was produced 1t was
signed by Judge James \ Ermen-
trout az Reading. The ground on
which the boy va sent to the asylum
Was a deed Of violence
MIR. Walton asked Leon what he had
done. Run after wagons. was IN"
reply lie was given paper aud pen
I'll. In swinging. legible hand he
wrote his name. Better than any
man here can DO IT," was the comment
OF Mr. scott
And this boy IS mixed in with era
~ men. They are his only associates.
rs enough 10 make him crazy" won
dered Mr. Walton.
I'm in with them. but | don't pay
any attention 10 these fellows said
the boy. He was assured every effort
would be- made by the commission to
secure his discharge. He left the room
claDping his hands.
Mr.. Walton said the ease OF the boy
illustrated the woeful lack OF accom-
modatons. even for weak-minded boys
or girls. Or Orth exhibited letter
from Judge Ermentrout. saying the
boy had been confined at Glen NILS
for 20 months. lie was refused admis-
sion TO Elwyn.
Your institution wrote Judge En-
mentrout. was supposed to be the last
resort. Can you suggest a remedy
place OF treatment to meet the boy
case. or must we acknowledge the state
cannot provide for such boys outside
OF PRISONS
Nj Walton said he intended TO make
a personal investigation Of the Brobst
case. 1T IS an outrage for the boy
10 BE- confined in the asylum. said Mr..
Walton. He is held virtually as
prisoner. II Is a high-handcd out
rage. | intend that the matter be fair
Is prohed. and am determined to ind
out the full particulars OF the case.
Before the commission met Speaker
Walton said that the commission had
received many anonymous letters. tell
ing how rich families in Philadelphia
lad rid themselves OF their imbeciie
and weak-minded members.
These letters gave information that
the IDIOT members of prominent fami-
lies had been committed as charity pa
tents TO the state insane asylums.
That these wealthy persons schemed
10 save the pittance they would be
Obliged to pay the state, Mr.. walton
says. is positive. Perjury was commit
ted by some when afTidayits were made
10 the effect that the imbeciles and
the idiots were paupers. and their rel
atives poor and unable TO pay for their
support. As further evidence that they
deliberately planned TO have their in
sane cared for at state expense with
out mourning the fear OF exposure. Mr..
Walton said that the patients were
shipped to Warren and Dixmont, asy-
lums in the far western end or the
state where their identity and con-
nections we're unknown.