The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-10-26

10 hear the case of Mrs. Caroline Francis
COrbett and Miss COrnelia Lydia COrbett
argued before Judge Gould. The two wom-
en have for more than two years been
confined 10 the insane asylum at St
Elizabeth's, and appeared yesterday with
a petition to obtain their release.
The attorneys for the plaintiffs Were
AIessrs. BiTney, Evans, and Mcneil while
Frederick A. Fennell, who is a committee
Of one appointed to look after Mrs. Cor
belts financial affairs, represented those
who were instrumental in having the
women sent to the asylum. The jury was
brought in from Criminal Court No. 70
act in the case.
The specific form of insanity with whica
il is said both Mrs and Miss COrbett
suffer is delusionary. They are repre-
scented as iabor.ng under the hallucination
that some persecution of them is being
constantly brought about by some agents
whom the women signify as the imper-
conaI they The husband of Mrs. Cor
bett died some years ago, leaving his es-
tate in such an involved condition that
The women were almost penniiess and en-
tjrely dependent on friends for main
tenance
Miss COrbctT'S Life at Asylum.
Mss CorneIia Corbett was the first wit
ness, after TIE jury had proved satisfac-
tory TO both couusels and was duly sworn
i'm. She testified that the first intimation
she had received Of her removal to the
asylum Was when DIR. Burritt a woman
physician, came 70 her home at 30l Sea
ton street and told her she would have TO
so away. Shortly after this. she stated. a
policeman and plain clothes man came
in an ambulance and conveyed both her
self and her mother TO St. Elizabeth's
Her testimony further brought out the
fact that the day before her former hear
ing on the same plea two physicians Or
GUnyon and DIT Watkins neither OF
whom she had seen before, called at her
home and asked her questions concerning
Ter fathers estate, both claiming To be
lawyers. She further testified that she
was allowed no witnesses At her former
trial. although there were many ready to
appear. She said that she and her mother
had done homework at home including
the washing, never having been able 10
employ a servant 1t was shown that
their life at the asylum is spent mostly
on fancy work which they sell TO friends
end for the sale of which they are al
lowed 10 come into Washington unat-
tended
Did Not Dwell on Suicide.
4Ir. Fennen at this point asked the
witness whether she and her mother had
not been devoted 10 clipping articles from
the newspapers. The witness answered
that she had collected clippings on liter
AIRY and culinary topics. but that her
mother never had been much interested
in the work and that neither had ever
cut articles relating 10 suicide. When ask
ed whether the nafghho~S ever watched
either herself or her mother, she said
she had never thought OF IT,
Here Mr Fennen asked II DIT. Hamlip
of the Church of the Covenant. had ever
asked Mr. CoTbett TO leave home or had
ever made any illusions to Mrs. Corbett
from the pulpit The witness answered
that she did not think any illusions were
intended but that her mother had wonder
ed 1T one statement of DR. Hamlin 8 and
had inquired of him concerning il. The
speech in question was quotation, They
have detied the temple and the priest who
tried 10 help them"
Ms COTbett was the next witness. She
is d remarkably well-prcserved woman 81
sINty-three years, OF evident refinement
ald good breeding. She cOrroborated the
statements of her daughter in regard to
their being taken 20 the hospital and
seemed 90 possess an excellent knowledge
Of her husbands affairs.
NJ. Fennell. I'D the discrimination.
drew from her that she had at one time
instituted divorce proceedings against her
husband. and that she considered her son
u have been harshiy used by several
firms by which he had been employed Il
the extent that they would force him o.
go errands To fictitious numbers in order
10 keep him employed. 1t afterward de
Veoped that AR. Corbett had paid these
firms for hiring the boy. since he was ia
capable Of any serious concentration. Mrs.
C0rbett testified that both her husband
and son had died by their own hand. and
that another daughter was confined 10 "a
sanitarium In Virginia, where she hal
been for ten years. \ rigid cross-eXani-
nation failed 10 make Mrs. Corhett admit
that she had at any time considered her
self prosecuted.
Dr. Teunis : Hamlin. pastor of the
Church Of the Covenant. was then called
TO the stand. Dr. Hamlin was allowed
10 tell his story Of the case without any
questions Ife said in part.
Or, HamIiB Describes DeIusIOns.
The Corbetts have been members of
my parish for sixteen years. have seen
them frequently. but never knew the
father until Mrs Corbett sent for me. say
ing that ne had taken to drinking When
] arrived ar her home she denied having
told me that he drank, but insisted that
he was slandering the family Mrs Cor
bett was under the impression that she
was being Tidiculed at church. and for
several years did not attend. She .magin-
cd that the neighbors were spying on her
10y means of mechanical appliances and
the x-ray. The son was similarly af-
tected, and. after three attempts. took
his life her other daughter IS confined
Ia,
Corbett's death she seemed TO becOm,
worse ana worse, and devised all sorts
Of plans TO overcome her poverty, one be
ing that as Mrs. Mckinley had secured
a pension. she, too. should be able to do
So and to this end she sought my aid
Another hailucinaton under which she
labored was that when she turned over
in bed at night she heard q carriage
drive away from her door. and shortly
afterward a gun at Fort MyeT doomed as /
a signal to her prosecutors Mrs Ham /
lin was accustomed To buy provisions for /
the unfortunate woman at the same TIM /
that she would market for herself, and
although I am certain that the quality /
was equal to that of my own table Mrs /
COrbett very often was strenuous in her I
complaints.
DR.. Hamlin described the process he had (
taken TO have the women placed in the 1
asylum. and said that he had done so 1
because he was in constant dread thai /
some disaster would happen in their
household unless they were placed under /
the guardianship of the authorities.
In answer 10 Mr.. Birney. ne stated that 4
the poverty OF the women had in no way
influenced mis- course, as the parish was
well able 10 care for its poor He said |
that he had never seen any evidence OF /
violence on the part of either of fh,. 4