The Washington herald., 1911-03-17

Happy over the prospect of soon
being reunited with her children,
Mrs. Annie Silsby, who yesterday
pleaded her way to freedom from
the Government Hospital for the
Insane, has found a home with
friends, and is firmly resolved to
live down the past and start life all
over again, in order to occupy that
place in society which belongs to
her by virtue of her family connec-
ton, her culture, and commendable
resolutions. Beyond this, Mrs.
Silsby declined to make further
statements.
MEMBER OF OLD FAMILY.
Mrs. Silsby had been confined in the
asylum for the last two years, adjudged
an habitual drunkard. She is a mem
Der of an old Washington family, and
widow OF DR.. Howard Silsby. who COM
mitted suicide shortly after obtaining
a divorce from Mrs. Silsby. Her father,
Charles T. Forbes. had instituted ha-
beas corpus proceedings, and the case
was heard yesterday before Chief JUS
tiCc Clabaugh and a jury. 1t was the
contention of Mr.. Forbes that his
daughter had entirely recovered, and
that she wished to rejoin her two
Young sons. living with their grand
mother Mrs. Leah NJ. Forbes. at y L
street northwest. Attorney Walter p.
PIumley represented Mr.. Forbes in his
efforts to liberate Mrs Silsby. who is
an attractive blond. about thirty y-fve
| years OF age, and bearing every eVi-
| dence of good breeding. culture, and
education.
At was Mrs. Silsby's own pleading
| which obtained her release from the
asylum in the face OF the most de-
| termined opposition of the asylum au-
thorities, who charged she should not
/ be permitted to be at large, not being
OF sound mind.
Her frank acknowledgment OF her
downfall. the cause OF it, and the pathetic
recital Of the sufferings she had c1-
periCnCed. the dcprivations she had un'
derronc, her resolve to lead better life
in order to he with her children, CON
WINGED the jury differently from the
learned arguments of the physicians OF
the asylum. who fought to keep her in
CarCCratCd.
Mrs. Silsby pleaded for her release with
an oloquence seldom heard in court
Of Law and justice. She said she had
been cured of the drink habit, and in
this COncct;,n acknowledged that high
ba Ills had caused all her trouble.
Il consider myself absolutely rid Of the
habit, she said. My children are my
whole lifc-all | have left in the world
and l want to 90 the square thing.
Liquor has been my ruination, and
wouldn't ask to leave the asylum If l
doubted my ability to let liquor alone
7 think / should be given a trial. y
piteously appealed the woman, land not
be shut up all my life m an asylum
can make my own living. l have earned
$500 in the two years l have lived in the
asy bum. They say I'm artistic in needle
work. am a musician, and was con-
sidered to have dramatic ability. / used
to recite to the insane patients at the
asvlum fifteen years ago
st Elizabeths is no place to go to alb
stain from alcohol, II you have money
but l have refused to touch it. although
l could have had all l wanted"
Jury Quick to Decide.
ne jury Hdo SNiuCHlly uttCl IllLltu NAAS
case before they left the box. They had
hardly left the court room before they re-
turned to announce they found Mrs.
Silsby of sound mind. There was an at
tempt TO applaud, which was suppressed
by the court attendant Mrs Silsby was
congratulated on all sides, and led away
by the friend who had testified in her
behalf and had been her weekly visitor
ever since she entered the asylum on
February IS. 1909.
Assistant District Attorney Peelle rep
resented the authorities opposing Mrs.
Silsby's release, trying to prove through
the testimony of hospital attendants and
physicians that, in their opinion, Mrs.
Silsby, II released from restraint, might
resume her former habits.
Consular Assistants Named.