Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1908-05-14
CRIMINAL INSANE AT LARGE.

CRIMINAL INSANE AT LARGE.
Two events of recent occurrence have
served to attract attention toward the
question of the proper control of the
the release, by order of the court, of Mil
dred Brewster, the Huntington girl, who
ten years ago killed another girl at Mont
pelier that had crossed her in love
affair, attempting her own life at the
same time. The Brewster girl WAS ac-
quilted OF the crime of murder by reason
of insanity and was committed to the
Waterbury asylum. Here she has spent
ten years of hsr life. 1t is stated that her
conduct has been such as to convince
portion, at least, OF her physicians and
long time perfectly sane, and that no
harm would be likely to follow her re-
lease. Others in equally good position to
judge, including DIR. Don ID. Grout, SUI
perintendent of the asylum, hold differ
ent opinion, believing that while Miss
Brewster is and, under normal condi-
tions, would be no positive source of dan
ger, let some strong passion seize her and
she would probably do again what she
did before. In other words, she is not
safe person to be at large. The court
heard all the witnesses and ordered the
release, so that no more remains to be
said. But we imagine the responsible
parties must have suffered shiver when
they learned OF what happened in the
same city of Montpelier only few days
later in the case of young woman whose
record was somew hat akin to that of Miss
Brewster.
Christine Bau was without a particle of
doubt most dangerous person to be at
large. She possessed a mania for killing
men. She had three times before at
tempted this crime. She had repeatedly
described Ter own condition as uncon-
trolIable in this respect, at times. Two
years ago she shot a man at Woodsville,
n. H., and was acquitted on the ground
OF insanity, being committed to a New
Hampshire asylum at Concord by the au-
thorities. 1t is said that some arrange
ment was made by the girls father, a
resident of Barre, whereby she was
turned over to him and removed to the
Waterbury asylum as his private patient.
The Waterbury authorities claim they
have no jurisdiction in such cases as to
release of patients, but must let them go
on demand of the parties who pay the
bills, whether they are mad as March
hares or not. So, in this way, after a
few months, the Bau girl was worked
out from criminal insane ward at
Concord, y. H., to complete freedom and
the liberty to pursue her fearful mania.
1t was no kindness to the girl. Her pitt
full letter reveals that. II saved the
state of New Hampshire and the girls
and may another. The New Hampshire
authorities must have been actuated sole
ly by svarice; the desire to unload the
cost OF keeping onto Vermont; while no.
boNy this siuS scSIis u nave Dteu enough
concerned to see that steps were taken
to restrain this mad woman and keep her
shut up. 1t may be that tine Waterbury
authorities could not prevent her release,
when there as private patient, but, ac-
quainted with her condition, as they
must have been, " i'll they maintain that
they did their full duty in not appealing
to the legal authorities for her restraint !?
There is law, we assume, for taking
charge OF such people, even when they
have means at their disposal. 1t will
take more than has thus far appeared to
convince the public that there was not
gross laxity somewhere.
The care and handling OF the criminal
insane, or those inclined to be so, is q
very grave matter. A large portion of
the homicides come from the acts of such
people. Ii we are to err, is it not better
to err in being too careful than in being
too careless? Your life or mine might
have been snuffed out by that crazy girl
at Montpelier last W. elk, lad we CHANGED
to have been where Neveaux was.
GA