Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-25
HUGHEY DOUGHERTY
RETURNS; MIND GONE
One Time Greatest Minstrel
Back From California.
Sent to Asylum

Hughey Dougherty is a broken old man
today Mt Kirkbride's. the Pennsylvania Hos
pital for the Insane. in West Philadelphia.
The one-time greatest minstrels death
has been predicted many times in the last
four years, but this time there doesn't seem
to be much doubt that he has come home
TO die. At 7s his fine trust and friendlness
have given out and In their place suspicion
and disbelief have come.
DR. william r. Morrison, a district police
surgeon and member OF the stan of 81.
Agnes's Hospital, said Hughey had senile
dementia.
Hughey was in a bad way when he left
last June TO go to California, where he
planned TO live the rest Of his days with
Mrs. Evalina j Buttman. whom he had
adopted when she was a little girl. But his
illness asserted itself again in California
he kept getting worse ami Mrs. Buttman
filed an insanity complaint against him. A
court found him insane.
His daughter didn't feel able TO pay for.
his care in private institution. and the
State said he had not been in California
long enough TO deserve free care So
Hughey had to come back home. That was
why he arrived here yesterday.
Sidney ]. Brady. an officer from Califor-
mia, had him in charge. The change from
the old Hughey was noticeable wnen he re-
fused to go to the Bingham Hotel. II was
there he lived many. many years. They
loved him there and he returned the affec-
ton
Mr.. Brady did as Hughey bid He tried
other hotels. but the clerks there had no
rooms" Hughey was talking loud and was
quarrelsome.
When the hotels were found closed the
officer telephoned TO Captain Tate and De-
tective-Lieutenant Wood. and they learned
that st. Agnes's Hospital would be glad to
have Hughey, return as q patient for he
had been there not so long ago and every
hospital attache became attached to him.
Hughey was taken there. but then a hitch
came. lie refused to stay. lie rushed out
TO the sidewalk. gathered an audience of
5O0-he still likes the theatrcal-and made
an impassioned plea for aid. He was being
kidnapped. he said. and needed friends.
They got him out to Kirkbride's by an ap-
peal to his vanity. He went In the taxicab
willingly enough. but when he saw the gray
stone walls he baked
What is this?" he asked with a sort OF
| threatening suspicion and rested back hap
PLY when told that it was Girard College
and that the boys wanted to have him per-
| form for them again."
Soon after that the taxi entered the gates
and Hughey Dougherty was patient in the
hospital for the insane.
| Hughey Dougherty was born in Philadel-
| phia, near Fourth and Gaskill streets.
| After doing little turns at concerts he came
to the attentien of Sam Sanford and made
| his professional debut with Sanford's Min
stres at the Eleventh Street Opera House.
| When Carncross & Dixey succeeded San
| ford Hughey remained for many years. He
left for while and toured the United
| States with minstrel troupes. Later he
| returned to Frank Dumonts Minstrels,
| which succeeded Carncross
A watch, a ring and $l4 in money were
the only valuables Hughey had yesterday.