The Washington times., 1907-09-17
DOCTOR MILLER
MUST EXPLAIN
FENTON AFFAIR
Reason Demanded for
Sending Woman to
Insane Hospital.

DR.. William L. Miller Of 40 < street
northwest, will be called on BY attor-
neys TO explain why he signed the paper
which committed Mrs. Maggie Fenton TO
the Government Hospital for the Insane
as being subject TO maniacai attacks
with homicidal tendencies.
Unless DR.. Miller. who Is now ont Of
the city on. his vacation. can account
for his action. which resulted IN the in
generation of a woman declared by
brain experts to be perfectly sane he
will have TO face a civil suit for dam
ages. according TO Mrs. Fentons attor-
ney, A. z. L Leekie
Mrs. Fenton was liberated from the
insane asylum yesterday. as announced
exclusively in The Times, but she has
not yet consulted with Mr.. Leckie as to
the exact course they WI pursue in the
attempt 10 punish all OF those whom
they believe TO be responsible for Mrs.
Fenton's imprisonment among raving
lunatics.
AIRS. Fenton Is comparatively well to-
day having rallied With remarkable
rapidly from the strain to which she
was subjected as a result OF her terrible
experience.
In Wagon With Maniacs.
The manner IN which she was sent
to the asylum. IL developed today was
exciting In the extreme. Accordins to
witness Of the scene. a ven. contain
Ing raving negro woman and two other
occupants. was drawn Up ia front OF
the Fenton home, at 1910 Morse street
northeast J. ". Fenton. the husband
her I'D
accompanying the van 10 guard The
front door. rear door, and window Of
the house, so as TO prevent Mrs ZEN
tons escape
She. however. made no attempt 70
escape, but entered the van when she
saw that she would have to do so.
Commissioner West. under whom
lunacy affairs are placed by law. today
looked into the Fenton case. He found
that the law had been complied with. 50
far as the making out OF the papers
In the case was concerned. The com
mtiment papers were signed by two
physicians and by two others, one the
husband OF Mrs. Fsnton, and the other
a Mrs. Eloise Clements, who recently
has moved from the vicinity OF the Fen
ton home 10 one Of the suburbs Of the
city.
What win follow the exposure OF this
sensational imprisonment Of a sane
woman among lunafios depends almost
entirely on what DR.. Miller win say IN
explanation Of his having signed the
papers committing her 10 the asylum
When he viii return 20 the city could
not be ascertained today
Claims Doctor Didn't Investigate.
Mrs. Fenton makes the astounding
statement tat DR.. Miller signed the
statement that she was insane although
he had not seen her for more than two
years. Friends OF DR.. Miller. however.
argue that such a thing couli not have
possibly happened. They claim Or. Mil
Ter is too conscious Of the ethics AMI
duties OF his profession 10 have even
contemplated doing such a thing.
IN the law governing the commitment
OF people TO the insane asylum there
occurs the following penalty:
That any person who makes an an
caVit, as required by section one or two
or this act, by which he or she secures
or attempts TO secure the apprehension.
detention, or restraint of any other per-
son In the District OF COlumbia without
probable cause for believing such per
son 10 be insane or Oh unsOund mind.
or any physician who Knowingly makes
any false certiheate as 10 the sanity or
insanity Of any other person shall, upon
than 500 or imprisoned not more than
three vears or both"
Mystery surrounds several phases OF
the situation today Although the most
careful search was made. II could not
be learned where Mrs. Fent0n IS II
wis denied that she was at the family
| home, 1910 Morse street northeast, or
that she was al the home Of her son,
J. w FentOn. r.. who is private secre-
tary to Senator Elkins.
The Fenton family regards the matter
as having been extremely unfor-
tunate." and are DESTROYS that nothing
more be published about the case.