The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-02-16
INSANE BUT WORTH FORTUNE
Ferdinand SCh|enter Is Released
From Stei|aCoom Asylum.
WAS CONFINED THERE FOR THREE YEA S
WILL BE TAKEN BACK TO HIS
OLD HOME IN SOUTH
DAKOTA.
WAS CONFINED THERE FOR THREE YEA, S

After spending nearly three years In
the state asylum for the insane at
Steilacoom, aged Ferdinand Schleuter,
who it is discovered is the owner of
valuable property in Potter county,
South Dakota, is to be taken in charge
by his friends, who will take him back
to his old home and care for him,
says the Tacoma News.
Superior Judge Griffin this morning
signed an order empowering Stephen
Simon, who came to this city for the
purpose, to remove Schleuter from the
asylum, and the former, accompanied
by Sheriff S. P. Hurley, also of Pot
ter county. left this forenoon for Steil-
accom-.
This request of Schleuter's friends
was not granted without opposition,
however, for Attorney RawsOn, repre-
senting A. J. Goddard, candidate for
nomination to either the office of city
comptroller or city treasurer on the
republican ticket, and guardian of
Schleuted, was in court and interposed
several objections which, however,
We're overruled by the court. Goddard
will later be asked to file a report of
his work as guardian and administra-
tor of the money found on the person
of Schleuter when he was placed in
he Of Oh, nVif fn,, =
ment to the asylum.
Goddard Doesn't File Report.
According to the story told by the
records in the case, Schleuter left his
home in South Dakota, where he had
lived for seventeen years, about three
years ago for a visit to the cities on
the coast. While in Seattle he was ar
rested by police officer on account of
his peculiar actions and was on Sep
TENDER 10 ordered committed to the
asylum by Judge Tallman. All that
the records of the examination show
was that Schleuter was suffering from
a religious mania, and that he at times
showed homicidal tendencies. All ques-
lions as to his relatives, home and
such matters We're answered DO not
know" and it was not in evidence
that any attempt was made to find
out these things
Twelve days after Schleuter was or
dered to the asylum, Goddard applied
to be appointed his guardian, and this
appointment was made October 8, 1898
In November Goddard filed an inven-
tory which showed that Schleuter was
possessed of $S49.40 but no accounting
has ever been made to the court, al
the law requires that this be done ev-
cry two years. During the time he
has been in the asylum Schleuter mas
been treated as a county charge.
Some time after Schleuter was COM
mitted to the asylum the fact became
known to his friends. and Stephen ST.
mon, an old friend of his, was APP
pointed mis- guardian in South Dakota,
where Schleuter owned about 900 acres
of fine wheat and grazing land, esti-
mated to be worth in the neighbour
hood of $4,000. Last Saturday Simon
and Sheriff Hurley, of Potter county,
yesterday, accompanied by Attorney
Kane, applied to Superior Judge Fra
ter for an order for the release of
Schleuter. Judge F'rater declined to
sign the order, holding that it was a
matter which should properly come
before Judge Griffin. and it was TAX
en- into that department of the super
ior court this morning.
PenniIess Brother Here.
In connection with this end of the
story is another feature which con-
Germs a brother of Ferdinand Schleu-
ter, at present wandering around the
country in penniless condition. Sew
eral days ago this brother, whose name
is Martin Schleuter,, came to o. H.
Springer, a deputy in the county
which had been signed by Ferdinand
Schleuter asking that the bearer be
made his guardian. This order had
been signed at Steilacoom a few DAYS
before Martin Schleuter was in need
at the time and Springer provided for
mis- maintenance for a day or so, and
at the same time wrote to Simon
in North Dakota, stating the facts of
the case.
Martin Schleuter stated to Springer
that he owned a half interest with his
brother in the South Dakota property
and intimated that the latter had in
some manner secured this interest by
the payment of a few hundred dollars.
Martin Schleuter speaks English very
imperfectly and appears to be ignorant
of the laws. Springer made arrange