Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-30
YOUNG CRENsHAW FOUND
MENTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE
Commission Of Lunacy Is Held Over
Student Accused OF Robbing and
Burning at University.
is COMMITTED TO ASYLUM
His Father, in Statement, Says Find
ings OF Commission VIII BE Re-
ported to Albemarle Circuit Court.
Has Had Three Blows on Head.

S. Dabney Crenshaw, w. who is
charged with the theft OF platinum
valued at $4,000 from the chemical
laboratory at-~the University of Vir-
Einia. and with the burning Of that
structure to cover the theft, was ad-
judged insane and irresponsible yester-
day by lunacy commission, which
recommended that he be confined in the
asylum for the insane. Young Crcn-
shaw was delivered to City Sergeant
Sattcrheld yesterday afternoon, and
VIII be sent TO the State Hospital for
the Insane at Williamsburg to-day.
Crenshaw's arrest followed viEor-
Gus investigation by operatives OF the
State Department OF Insurance. who
discovered that he had disposed of a
part Of the stolen metal to several
Northern firms. At the preliminary
hearing. when he was held for the
grand jury of the AlbemarIe Circuit
Court, he was released under a $4,000
bond. which was furnished by his
father. s. Dabncy Crenshaw. of this
city, vice-president of the Virginia
Carolina Chemical Company. Young
Crenshaw was Immediately brought to
this city and placed under the care and
observation OF DR. Beverly II. Tucker.
boys FATHER ISSUES
STATEMENT OIL" CASE
Following the examination by the
commission. which was composed OF
Magistrate ]. \. Purdic. DR.. James c.
King. formerly superintendent OF tho
State Hospital for the Insane at
Marion. and Or. w. 7. oppenhimer. of
this city. the young mans father issued
the following statement:
promptly after the arrest of his
son. S. y. Crenshaw. Sir. employed
counsel to look after the interests OF
his son. charged with having COM
mitted the serious offenses while at
the University of Virginia heretofore
referred to in the newspapers.
Mr.. Crcnshaw stated his position in
the matter to be that he wanted the
exact truth to be brought out IF his
son was, in fact, guilty of the offenscs
charged against him and deserved
punishment. he desired that the law
be permitted TO take It's course without
the interposition OF legal technical lities;
on the other hand, if the boy was
irresponsible for his acts as he be-
lieved him To be. he desired that ne be
dealt with as the law prescribes in
such cases.
Young Crcnshaw. on his arrival in
this city. was placed under the care
and observation of Dr B. r. Tucker at
his sanatorium in this city, where he
has been since March last. His past
history and his mental condition have
been fully investigated. In his work
DR.. Tucker has been assisted by DR.
Hall OF the Westbrook Sanatorium. and
DR.. y. S. Priddy, superintendent OF the
State Institution for the Feeble Minded
and Epileptics. near LynchburG. has
been called in consultations The con-
NIrring opinion OF these emincnt
specialists is that young Crenshaw is
undoubtedly insane and irresponsible
for his acts, and should for his own
welfare and that Of the public be re-
strained.
Accordingly lunacy commission
was appointed. consisting of Justice OF
the Peace J. 4. Purdic. DR.. james G.
King, formerly superintendent Of the
State Hospital for the Insane at
Marion. and Dir. ". II. Oppenhimer.
general surgeon OF tho Chesapeake and
Ohio and Richmond. Frederick sburg
and Potomac Railway Companies. and
formerly chairman Of the Board Of
Health of this city. They held their
inquisition to-day. and their unani-
nous finding was that young Crenshaw
is insane and irresponsible, and should
be confined in an asylum for the In.
sane; he has accordingly becn COM
mitted to the State Hospital for the
Insane at Williamsburg. and is now in
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