Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-10-24
AUGUST CABLING INSANE.
imaslnep Someone 10 Trying to Take
His Life BY Use Of Electricity.


August CARING, who has been en-
gagged in the nursery business In this
city for several years past, was ad-
judged to be insane in the probate
court here on Monday, and will short
y be taken to the state asylum.
Mr.. CARING, who says he Is 81 or
5S years Of age. is a native Of Prus-
sia and has been a resident Of this
country since about 1885. He came
to Barton county about twenty years
ago and for several years attended
the old Central Normal College, do
ing janitor work and the nke to pay
his way through school. Afterwards
he engaged in gardening, tree cul-
ture, ETC., and for some years has
also been engaged in selling nursery
stock. In order to sell nursery stock
1t Is necessary TO have a state Ger.
tificate in Kansas, and it seems that
the possession Of this is what caus-
ed August to become mentally un--
balanced, although he has been very
odd and considered by most people
half cracked" for many years, but
since receiving his certificate he has
been possessed with the idea that
certain persons were trying to make
out that the certificate was obtain
ed by fraud and were otherwise try
ing to injure his reputation and busi.
ness.
Lately he has also become obessed
with the idea that someone was ex-
erting some kind of electrical IN
fnence over him, and were by some
unknown means shooting currents Of
electricity into his head and body,
and during the last few days he had
made complaint to several parties of
this alleged persecution and had can-
ed on the county attorney to see
that he was protected. He had var
ious other hallucinatious all tending
to show that he was far from sound
mentally.
Saturday morning about 10 O'Clock
he went into the Saddlerock Cafe
where he acted as a self appointed
reception committee during the mos
Of the day and until the proprietor
made complaint to the officers late
In the evening, when he was remOv
ed to the county jail for safe keep
ing, as 1t was no doubt dangerous tc
permit him to be at large longer.
At his trial Monday afternoon sew
eral witnesses testified to his queel
actions, but when he took the stand
in his own behalf there was no doubt
as to what the verdict Of the jury
would be as his own testimony ant
actions were abundant evidence that
his head was not working right. Al
the Saddlerock Saturday, August, II
bis role of reception committee
occupied a chair near the front door
and as each patron came In, greeted
them, shook hands, and ASSURED then
Of an extra good meal. Several 9th
er of his stunts were extremely lud
icrous, though harmless, but On tn.
electricity subject he was apt to be
come dangerous at any time.
August was considerable of a char
acter around town for long time o.
account Of his peculiarities, and h
will be especially missed around th'
newspaper offices, for he was a per
sistent advertiser with a style singu
: lar to himself. The editor alwayl
had to prepare the advertisements
but under August's direction, and
generally took about an hours tim
to get a small local fixed up to rea'
to his liking, so it was not a profit
able piece Of business. However, h
was always prompt in paying hi
bills as far as this shop was concern
D ed, so it was not all loss, but W
understand that there are other
whom he did not treat so kindly.
He will be taken to the asylum
Topeka in few days.