The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-04-08
SAYS WIFE AND SON
RA|LROAOEO HIM
TO ASYLUM
William Champe Struggles Note Out
Of Elcise To Attorney, New Hear
ing Is Held and Aged Mans
Release Ordered
Attendant Who Carried Letter To
Lawyer Is Discharged-Dr. Ives
In Case.

Adjudged insane on the petition OF
his wife and son. supported by the
affidavits OF two well-known local Thy
sicians: taken to Eloise, where he
was placed In a ward used only ty
bedridden imbeciles. where almost
any sane man would have lost his
reason In a short time, and then re
leased as result OF the kindness 0f
attendants-this is the experience VI
William Champe, GO years old aud
wealthy OF No 1894 Trumbull-ave.,
who was ordered released from the
asylum. last Tuesday, by Judge hu!-
bert, of the probate court.
According TO attendants In the IL
stitution and two physicians WHO
were later called in TO examine The
man, he is not insane but merely SUI
fering from nervous prostration.
Ten years ago. Champe had trouble
with his wife and obtained divorce.
Later, they became reconciled and re-
married.
For some time the old man mad
been suffering from insomnia, as
result of nervousness. His son
Silas, aged 80, a law student here,
noticed his fathers condition. and
filed petition to have his father de
clared insane and Drs A. w. Ives ard
+. p. Newton, certified that he was
mentally unbalanced According 20
the affidavits filed by them Champe
would get lost in the neighborhoot
near his home. although he had llved
there a long time, and that he also
threatened TO kill his wife.
The son reported in court that he
had personally served the necessary
papers on his father. Without seeing
Champe, and believing that the al
fldayits OF the two physicians could
be depended upon, Judge Hubert al
lowed the son TO take his father ID
Eloise.
Upon the arrival Of Champe there,
he was placed in the imbecile ward,
where he remained three days. me
attendants noticed that he did not
seem TO be as insane as the other
inmates OF the ward and recommends
ed that he be placed In the con
valescing ward.
Champe struggled a. letter to his
attorney, Harold Mcintyre, In De-
troit, through young attendant In
the asylum. who realized that the
aged man had apparently been placed
there without cause. Shortly after
wards this same attendant called at
McIntyres Office. He declared that
Champe was not insane but was suf
fering only from nervousness.
Mr.. Mcintyre conferred with Judge
Hubert, who dictated a letter TO DR.
Marker, the physician in charge or
the institution. A reply was re-
ceived from Or Howell, who is next
in authority to Or. Marker. stating
that Champe was not insane but was
suffering only from nervous prostra-
ton.
Another hearing was held before
Judge Hubert and Drs. Ives and New
ton were called to the stand.
Or. Newton testified that he had
made the affidavit regarding Champes
mental condition on information fur
nished by Champe's wife and son.
When DR.. Ives was called TO the
stand, he was asked by Mr. Mcintyre
whether he had ever known Champe
to become lost.
"Oh. yes" he answered. Il saw
him standing one day near my office
but he did not know me He told me
he was lost. | directed him to car
line near by"
But. didn't you go with him to the
car line?" he was asked.
No. he started of towards the car
line and ! guess he got there al.
right"
Dr. Marker testified that Champe
showed no symptoms OF insanity.
Judge Hubert appointed Drs
Hitchcock and Raymond 10 examine
Champe. and they reported TO the
court that he was not insane. Be.
cause OF the aged mans nervous con.
dition, however. II was decided wise
TO name a guardian for him, SO Judge
Hubert appointed Edward j. Minock
The day following the attendants
last visit TO Mr. McIntyre's Office. DIR
Howell telephoned the lawyer. asking
the attendants name
You see declared Or. lowell. "it
Is strictly against the rules OF this in.
stitution for an attendant to smuggle
any notes from inmates or carry mes
sages from inmates to outsiders. and
TO maintain discipline | want Won 10
give me the name of the attendant.
Mr.. Mcintyre refused 10 reveal the
name.
Very well, then, since an atten
dant really did come to see YOU.
know who he is replied the physi
cian
later this attendant was fired"
from his position. but he testified I'm
the probate court regarding Champes
sanity.
Champe is now I'm Jackson, Mich
living with a sister.
DR.. A. w. Ives, VINO figures in the
case. had somewhat similar expert
ence In the case OF Mrs. Ross. wife OF
a well-known Detroit lumberman. She
was committed TO the asylum on Or.
Ives testimony, but her release was
later ordered. Or. Ives was an expert
witness for the prosecution I'm the
Boyajian case.