Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-19
ADJUDGED OF UNSOUND MIND
ACTION TAKEN IN THE CASE OF
THOMAS R. MARTIN.
Fostponement of Bankruptcy Pro-
ceedings-Plans of the Receivers.
Reports From Sanitarium.

Postponement for one week has been an
nounced in the bankruptcy edings in
the case Of Thomas r. Martin, which were
to begin today before Edward S. Mccall
mont referee The reason given is the ILL
ness of Mr.. McCaImont, but a much more
sensational phase has been added to the
proceeding by the totally unexpected an
nouncement that Martin has been adj
judged of unsound mind and that he Is
closely confined in the sanitarium of DR..
Richard Gundry, Gainesville. Nd, and I'M
der strict guard SO that he may not repeat
recent attempt to end his life. Joseph d.
Sullivan. who, with Guy H. johnson, was
appointed by the court as receiver in the
affairs of the bankrupt real estate man.
went to Towson last Saturday expecting to
arrange for Mr.. Martins presence in this
city for the bankruptcy proceedings today,
but he was Mortified to discover that Mar
tin had been adjudged insane
Until yesterday it was believed that Mar
tin was merely recuperating his lost
strength. That he has been declared in
sane and is under the jurisdiction of the
Maryland courts erects a serious barrier
that will delay indefinitely the bankruptcy
proceedings, at which his presence is essen
tial.
Periods of Great Violence.
The petition to declare Martin insane was
filed by his wife, Sarah S. Martin, on April
p last, in the circuit court of Baltimore
county, at Towson, Nd. Her petition was
accompanied by an affidavit by DR.. Gundry
that Martin was subject to periods of great
violence and excitement The affidavit also
stated that he was under constant strain
and dangerous to himself and others.
A lunacy inquiry was ordered Immediately
before Sheriff Jacob Elliott, and. after an
n ncfi loot Mo- -, 4
The verdict at the inquiry was that Martin
is "lunatic without lucid intervals. and
not capable of governing himself or his eS-
tate and that he has been in such state
OF mind for over one year" The proceed
lngs In the Towson court were not begun
until the necessary papers were filed and
approved, showing that Martin owned real
estate at Kensington, Nd, valued at 81 500
Employment of Special Guards.
Special guards have been employed to
watch Martin because, in his desperate
moods he has made wild threats to commit
suicide Ever since he was declared insane,
it is said, Martin has been a source of ter
ror at the sanitarium, and the room in
which he is confined has been stripped of
everything which might be used by the
sufferer as weapon against himself. Mar
tin seems to rave especially against being
SO closely watched.
oHly a lew udyS ago one VI tUe nurses
passing in the corridor heard muf1ed
groans from Martins room. Assistance
was called, but it was found the door had
been barricaded, and when a passage was
finally forced into the room it was discov-
cred Martin had secured a piece of rope in
some mysterious manner and his almost
lifeless body was dangling from one of the
rafters of the ceiling. The rope was cut,
and after several hours work the physi-
clans succeeded in completely restoring the
patient.
Sarah S. Martin and Maurice A. Soper
have been appointed a committee of Mar
tins person and estate. Mrs. Martin re-
mains constantly at the sanitarium and
does what-she can to relieve her husband
suffering. Upon the petition recently filed
by Mrs. Martin she has been allowed to
borrow $40 to defray the expenses of her
husband. and renew the premium on a life
insurance policy, under which she is bene-
ficiary. Under a similar petition she was
allowed to continue policy in another COM
pany in which Martins life is insured for
$1,000.