The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1906-05-26
ALLEN SAW SPOOKS.
STRANGE CASE or MEMBER OF
VANDERBILT FAMILY.

Claims He Was Abducted and Confined
in a Sanitarlum Against His Will
Now Sues For $4,000 Damages.
Bridgeport, May 25.Mrs. James H.
Ward Of Rye, N. Y, granddaughter of
Commodore Vanderbilt and sister of
William S. vanderbilt-Allen, an artist,
who is seeking to recover damages of
$4,000 from Mr.. rutland and the West
port sanitarium association for abduc-
ton and Illegal confinement in the
sanitarium for six years, testified for
the defense in the civil superior court
hits afternoon, before Judge eager and
a jury
Mrs. Ward wept frequently while de-
failing some of the vagaries Of her
brother, which led to his being placed
under restraint.
Indeed, indeed" she protested in
tears, neither ] nor my husband had
the slightest intention of hurting my
brother in any way. I was averse to
| doing anything in the matter but he
was SO unbalanced mentally, that it
was necessary something De done with
him. Certainly there was no conspira-
| cy against him, nor was there any
thought that the proceedings were not
legal. Mr.. Ward and I used to visit
my brother once or twice q week ex-
oept for periods when was travelling
extensively abroad"
Mrs. Ward told of many strange ac-
lions on the part Of my brother "He
acted very queerly during the fall of
1885, she testified. "At times when he
was out walking along the country
road he would suddenly begin TO push
at imaginary people, to talk to them in
an angry voice, accuse them Of jostling
and of consuming against him. At
others he would bow and smile and
talk pleasantly to imaginary friends,
although on such occasions there was
no one in sight except myself"
After her brother had been placed in
confinement all Westport, Mrs Ward
testified he used to send her two or
three letters every day containing long
lists of articles he needed. Sometimes
he would order half a dozen hoes, as
many wheelbarrows, ral1es and other
garden utensils. AT other times he
would order extensive outfits Of wom-
EMS clothing, describing ladies dresses
he wished to have sent to him and CIV
ing minute details regarding gilt belt
buckles he wanted.
Mr.. Ward, who is New York attor-
ney, testified m corroboration of his
wife. He said he considered it a shame
to see a man Of Mr.. Aliens genius con
fined in a sanitarium but Mr.. Allel
needed treatment, and confinement wa
the old way which would insure safet!
for Mr.. Wards family,
Attorney Chamberlain, counsel foi
J Mr. Allen, during the ross-examinatiol
asked Mr.. Ward If he thought he hat
sufficient legal authority to have MI
Allen sent to a sanitarium and contin
: ed there for such a period.
: my dear sir" exclaimed Mr. Ward
| 1T never thought of authority. For ter
solid days l never left my home.
had a revolver constantly at hand dur
ing that time because L feared for tn
safety of my wife and children iron
Z my own brother in-laws hands, MI
i Allen was taken to the Westport SAM
tarium with my full knowledge, CO. op
Grafton and approval.
4 Attorney stiles Judson, counsel 70
a DR.. Rutland, caused a furry during tn
progress of the trial by making mo
ton that Judge eager direct the jur
r to bring in verdict for DR.. Rulan(
n Attorney Judson had previously exhih
= tied an instrument signed by Allen j
which he acknowledged the receipt {
all his goods which his sister, Mr.
y Ward, had kept while he was in tn
! sanitarium. He also released Mr.. War
# from any liability by reason of his il
= generation in the sanitarfum.
r. Attorney Judson contended that
IS Mrs. Ward were released from habiht
}. DR.. Rutland ought to be also. jude
D. eager after listening TO argument
denied the motion.