The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-05
SENT BACK TO ASYLUM.
Two Men Demonstrated to Judge
SchOch That They Are Insane.

John Hanson, the Mcpherson at
torney, who came to Topeka with the
avowed intention ofscutting down the
population at the state hospital, re-
ceiVed a rather lame start in probate
court this morning when Judge
Schoch remanded two of his clients
to the asylum.
AS q starter, Hanson volunteered to
demonstrate to the court that one IL.
r.. Osborn, Of Sumner county, was of
sound mind and illegally detained by
the state. But when the examination
was well under way Osborn became
voiciferous, lost his temper and want
ed to clean out the probate court. He
was taken to the hospital. Osborn
dotes on religion. He declares that he
Is the forerunner of Christ, that he is
second Paul, and was placed on earth
to prophecy that he ia possessed of
knowledge that puts the wisdom of
Solomon in the discard. Osborn ges-
ticulates freely. He changes quickly
from evident JOY to the deepest sor-
row, sobs and laughs in the same
breath and loudly bewailS his condi-
ton. Osborn is long on poetry. lie
Quotes jingle with precision and jug
gles Biblical texts with amazing cor
rectness. But it took less than Is min
utes for Hanson to admit that his
clients mental machinery was out of
gear.
linen the court gave john MySI
chance. Myer is a PrusSian. He says
the Germans know he can't fight and
they are after his angora." Further
than this Myers is certain that the
churches and Masons are holding con-
ferences to see that he is imprisoned.
But this is not all. A few years ago
Myers hit on the happy idea that
Theodore Roosevelt, Governor Hoch
and Governor Stubs are busily look
ing for evidence that will cause him
all sorts of trouble. Then when the
man retires at night 1.-THE voices"
won't let him sleep. They tell him
what his enemies are doing and fur
nish advance dope on things that will
happen. Hanson tried hard to show
that Myers mind was not twisted, but
the court couldn't see things that way.
The big act in the Hanson repertoire
will be staged in probate court Thurs
day when Judge Schoch will pass on
the condition of Mulligan McNulty's
reasoning. The attendants at the
asylum keep McNulty chained in order
to prevent the possibility of a riot
McNulty served 26 years in the pen
Topeka hospital. In December 1880,
he was sentenced for grand larceny. It
was in May 1885, that he received a
sentence for horse stealing. While in
Jail in Reno county in February. 1890,
McNulty killed a fellow prisoner.
Nineteen days after this sentence ter
minated, he was again in trouble for
grand larceny. 1t was while serving
the fourth sentence that he attacked
Deputy Warden Thompson and cut his
throat. Thompson almost died from
the injuries.
Then McNulty was adjudged insane
and brought to Topeka. He at times
showed considerable sanity. Then he
takes up his circular reasoning and is
a bad citizen it is claimed. Hanson
declares the man would be all right if
given the rights and privileges of an
ordinary citizen. But asylum officials
are Inclined to question this statement
Hanson himself was recently cited
for insanity in the probate court of
Mcpherson county. The lawyer laughs
at what he declares is an effort on
the part of his enemies to discredit
him His hearing will be held in Nc
Pherson next week.