Evening star., 1937-09-25
DAzED CONDITION
OF CONTRACTORS
OBJECT OF TESTS
Brain Specialist Seeks
Cause for Illness of
Arthur G. BrinkIey.
SAYS HE WANDERED
AIMLESSLY IN SOUTH
Tells of Being Kidnapped and
Robbed by Colored Men
in Arlington.

ASoIo Wclc OCllls lllduS tOudy W
ascertain the cause for the dazed con-
dition of Arthur G. Brinkley, 47-year-
old painting contractor, who told his
family yesterday, at the end of mys-
terious nine-day disappearance, that
he had wandered aimlessly through
the South after being kidnapped and
robbed by group of colored men in
Arlington County on September Is.
DR.. R. B. Thibadeau, brain special
ist, who is attending Brinkley, said it
is possible that all or part of his story
may be delusion, which might result
from toxic psychosis caused by some
physical condition.
I'VE do not know yet how much truth
there may be in the story of the hold
up," DR.. Thibadeau said. 1T probably
will take day or so to reach a def
mite conclusion. Mr.. Brinkley still is
suffering considerable mental confu-
sion"
Arlington County Detectives Hugh
Jones and Harry woodward, who
questioned Brinkley briefly yesterday
afternoon, said they would make no
further investigation of the case un-
less Brinkley desired to take it up
with them again.
From Brinkley's remarks up to
the present We have concluded that
there is no cause for an investigation
OF a robbery or assault" woodward
said. Sheriff H. B. Fields of Arling-
ton County referred all questions about
the case to woodward and Jones.
X-Ray Tests to Be Made.
An X-ray examination was to be
made today to determine if Brinkley
suffered from a blow on the head.
Laboratory tests were being made to
check up on the possibility of toxic
infection. Pending results of these
tests there can be no definite expla-
nation of Brinkley's condition, DR..
Thibadeau said
Brlnkley was resting at Homeo-
pathic Hospital today. Attendants
said he had spent fairly comfortable
night, but was not in condition to
receive visitors. He was said to have
rubbed his head tenderly throughout
the night, even in his sleep.
German Brinkley, 21-year-old son
Of the contractor, said that, although
his father might be suffering a delu-
sion, he was convinced there we're
some facts in his story.
But, of course, we can't tell the
facts from fantasy yet" young Brink
ley said
Remembers kidnapping
German said his father appeared
to remember clearly being kidnapped
and robbed, but could not give a ra-
tlonal account of what followed the
asserted robbery on the morning of
September is. Nothing had been
heard from him since then until he
telegraphed his family from Laurin-
burg, N. c., Thursday night that he
was coming home.
Arlington County police had been
convinced that Brinkley was alive, de-
spite indications of foul play that
came to light when his abandoned
automobile, containing his empty wal
let and smashed eyeglasses, was
found on lonely Kirkwood road, in
Arlington County, the morning fol-
lowing his disappearance.
Brinkley's confusion was such that
he could not remember ever having
worn eyeglasses, his son said, al
though his wife had feared that he
would not be able to see without
them.
He also did not remember being
away from home more than one
night, young Brinkley said, and could
not believe that younger children of
the family already had started to
school,
Haggard and unshaven, Brinkley
appeared yesterday afternoon at his
home at 5514 First street. He was
not sure whether he had arrived by
taxicab or had ridden on a produce
truck.
Cashed Check in ROsslyn.
He said he remembered clearly, ac-
cording to his son, going to a bank
IN Rosslyn, Va. and cashing a check
for 1882 on the morning of Septem-
Der Is. Then he went out to his car
before putting the money into his
wallet.
AS soon as he got into his automo-
bile, he recalled, a colored man who
apparently had slipped into the rear
seat unnoticed, stuck gun to his
back and told him to drive on. He
drove to lonely road-he didn't
remember where. There, Brinkley said,
he was forced out of the car after
giving the colored man his wallet,
which did not contain any money.
Then some more colored men drove up,
put something over his head, un-
dressed him and searched him.
They took all his money, it ap-
peared, except $120 which he had
hidden in a torn cuff of his trousers.
The $l20 was still there when Brink
lev returned home. His son said he
kept feeling through his pockets as
II he thought he should have more
money.
After being searched, Brinkley said,
he was thrown into the back of an
automobile. There his memory grew
confused. He talked incoherently OF
being in Stauntpn, Charlottesville and
Luray, Va, but did not remember
sending thu telegram to his family
from Laurinburg. He spoke of seeing
men shuck corn and shucking corn
himself and of everywhere hearing
boys ask to shine his shoes.
RAND CONCERT