Year: 1867

The following brief history of Mary Har-
rls, the young woman who shot Burroughs,
her former lover, in Washington, and was
afterwards acquitted on the ground of in
SANITY, Is, from the report of DR.. Nichols,
OF the Insane Asylum here, to the Asso-
citation OF Medical Superintendents of
American Institutions for the Insane"


After the trial, Miss Mary Harris was
taken to live with two maiden ladies of the
name of Devlin, with one of whom she had
previously lived. These ladies about this
time removed from Wisconsin, where they
nad previously lived, to- Richmond, Va,
taxing Miss Harris with them, where she
toqk another name. While there, man
OF the name of Collins visited the sisters
at their house, and finally married one of
them. Mary Harris at first seemed pleased
with his society, and apparently enjoyed
his calls; but when she found that there
was prospect Of his marrying the elder
Miss Devlin, her sentiments towards him
changed to feelings of bitter dislike. She
frequently expressed her hostility to him,
and finally attempted to stab him. She
made very distinct attempt, and actually
did cut his clothes, but did him no serious
harm. Mrs. Collins formerly Miss Louisa
Devlin) then brought her up to Wash
ington, and made her situation known
to Mr.. Bradley, who asked me to
visit her at the National Hotel, where
Mrs. Collins and she had taken lodgings.
found her extremely emaciated and pale.
Mrs. Collins stated that she had eaten very
little, and slept very little for several
months. Her pathological condition was
that of catalepsy. Her positions were
fixed, rigid, and continued, though often
times quite awkward, and such as would
be painful to person in health. Conside-
rable force was necessary to raise her arm
or change her position, but limb Of her
body would remain in any position to
whichit was brought. 1t was difficult also
to obtain from her answers to questions.
Mrs. Collins also stated that she had mani
tested a strong suicidal propensity. She
denied distinctly, as she had always, that
she was insane, and that she needed any
treatment as insane persons require, or, in
fact, that she needed any treatment at all
on account Of ill-health.


It will be calculated to remove any i'm
preston that may be entertained that this
suicidal disposition was the consequence
Of remorse for the homicide she had CON-
mitted for me to mention that she often
said she did not desire to live, and
attempted to leave the house under cir
cumstances which gave rise to the suspi-
cion that she intended to commit suicide.
At the close of this interview / expressed
to Mr.. Bradley, who accompanied me, the
opinion that she was insane, and that
unless she was put under restraint she
oft a
I regarded her insanity as dangerous to
herself and others.


In the course Of day or two she con-
sented to come to the hospital with Brad
ley. Her consent was very reluctantly
given, and only upon the persuasions of
one who had so greatly befriended her.
The second day, think, after her COM
ing to the hospital, two Of the leading
physicians visited her, and, after an exami-
nation, made necessary certificate, under
oath, for her admission into the institution
as free District patient. Her admission
took place near the middle Of last winter,
and she is still with us. Her health is
now very considerably improved. She at
| first ate very little and slept very little {;
she now sleeps very well and her appetite
| is fair, and she has gained some flesh. She
is nervous and irritable during her cata-
menial period, and on several such occa-
sions she has displayed tendency to Vio-
lence.


She frequently expressed the desire to
leave the hospital, and always stoutly
maintained that she is not insane, and
never has been. When asked why she
does things that are so extraordinary, she
usually answers she really does not know,
and is only partially aware of what she has
done. On other occasions she says she
knows she did strange things of which she
is reminded, but could not help doing
them. She usually lies in bed during the
catamenial period. She appeared to be
passing through recent sickness favor
ably. When in bed, and alone in her
room, suddenly got up and broke every
thing that was destructible in the room.
1t appeared that no external exciting
cause had induced this Washington
Star.