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IOpinions of Medical Experts a* to ^ier Sanity*She Was Surely DementedWhen Committed.Frances Willard Does NotlieveThe “Herald** StoryMiss Susan Dickinson Makes aStatement.The Resident* of Pittston IndignantOter tho Report.New Y»bk, April It—The New YorkHerald, wil tomorrow publish a startling story re I nine to the incarceration of MiasAnna DhJtinson, the famous lecturer, inan insani asylum.The llrald will say that Miss Dickinsoncame to Sow York today with Dr. Frederick If. seward of Goshen, N. Y., at whose house she has been since•he ttcaped from Danville, April 2.They came for the purpose of apprisingMiss Dickinson's frieiula in New’ York of the wrong she had suffered and to secure legal advice as to the steps necessary to insure hoi freedom if she should return toPenney 1 an: a.Miss D.ekmson lays the blame for herincarceration upon her sister, whom she accuses of harboring an intense feeling ofjealousy and hatred, bhe also accuses hersister’s physician, Dr. Hileman, of being in the plot sgamst her. Miss Diekioucnpays ih.it on the day on which she wasremoved to an asylum the door of bar room was broken in and six menand a woman rushed in and over*powered her. On* of the men, she says* was Tr. Hileman, and the woman,•he undeilands, was the doctor’s Aunt.They announced their intention of taking her to Danville, where they a*ilt;t shewould bs better off. Miss Dickinson struggled until the akin was lorn from herwri*tr§ and her garments were tippedfor her rags and tatters. Finally, shesaya, her persecutors got her hands downand lied them together and she was compelled to submit. Dr. Seward, it appears,became informed of the facts of tho case asalleged by M tea 1 lck in son and obtained herrelease under pretense that he intendedto take her to a private any turn where she would be more benefited. Dr. Sewardexpressed himself today as entirely confident of the sanity of MU* Dickinson.The Herald reporter who interviewedMiss Dickinson says that her manner wascalm and rational and that she at no time during the interview betrayed the leastevidence of insanity. Mias Dickinson will prosecute her sister for the mauUland physical suffering she has undergone.Miss Dickinson says tho Danville asylumis a horrible place. She was among the least dangerous patients, but she’say* when she looks back on the dreadfulthings sne wonders she did not go insane.On .April 2 Dr. Seward went to the asylum and Mias Dickinson was placed in bis charge. Ionian McDonald, an old tamiiyaervant of the Dickinsons, accompanies her mistress and the doctor.Dr. Seward was reticent of his part inthe affair. His only interest had been to secure justice to a woman who had been shut up in an asylum without a shadow of rightMiss Di. kinson is perfectly sane,” saidCbegun in improve during»er brief rent*cm lt;pin;* of *eute initanity, but she hudliM li wIn reply the qoary mb to wb»t hi*9*lB.0B ra U It. Ua.8, Dr. W«W1said; ‘‘Neither Mr, Barlow nor myselfhad the slightest doubt but that she wasderanged. I have been studying tbn medical aspect of insanity since *1875 and Mr.Barlow has been iciereste-d in it from aleva! standpoints nee 1 ^78.”Do you ear this officially, and do you stake your professional reputation on Miss Dickinson's insanity while she was inYes, there it no doubt about it what-•Ter.”“From a perusal of her storv and from your knowledge of her cxso, do you thinkshe it entirely sane now?”Speaking from what f saw of her only, 1 will say that it is very probable that sheis insane at the present time. Dr. Sewardof New York, I see, vouches for the opposite view of her case, and, in the absenceof another examination of Miss Dickinson,I cannot speak positively of her condition.” .“She was released trom the asylum on discharge papers and say* that if the returns to Pennsylvania the is liable to rearrest and incarceration. Is that true?” It is not. Of couree if she was manifestly insane and dangerous she could bo restrained for the safety of the public, lint the whole case would have to be begun ab ovo. The commitment and ex-aadnation would have to bo made all over again and would he an entirely nt-wcan®. Miss Wckiuson now, in Pennsyl-vania, is as free as air and can no more be deprived of her liberty or placed under restraint than you or I.”Dr. Wetherill produces a copy of the medical certificate and statement on whii h“Anna E. Dickinson indigent w*? admitted, Feb. 25, 1891, to tho Danville hospital.” This is signed by G. Underwood, M. I)., of 1’ittston,Fa., and James Oglesby, M. P.,of Danvil e, Pa., each of whom state that he hire examined her separately. They certify that they believe her insane, and that her disease is of a character that shebe placed in a hospital for the insane.The order or request for her reception in the hospital is signed hv J. S. Oourt-wright and by J. S. Iliteiimn, M* P,, and is dated March 2. The arrom-anring statement, which is signed byr. Iliteman giv.-s her nue as forty-eightyears, says that her insanity has existedsince Feb. 19, and that she has delusionsand ref uses food and medicines.When questioned regarding her examination Dr. Wetherill said be did not knowwhether the was examined before leaving home or not, but ihat it was not seces*•ary. The law allows a patientto be examined within fortv-ei^hthours after beinsr taken to a hospital lorthe insane. Asked if this might not tend to provoke the patient, and increase thesymptom# of insanity, tin? doctor said bethought not to any extent.Mi** liokm-ou i discharge from thohospital is as follows;State Hospital foe the In*axe* \Danville, Pa., April 3* 1*91. jIUg flter No. 3*501. I hereby air* iretto tb* coamon pleat that AnnaE. Itickiutou, a public patient, received into this hospital on ih* 2*th of K*bwt 1*91, is djpcbartfFii therefrom improved, bythe authority of friend* and overseen on iho2nd dar o! April* ltf9l.(Signed) ii SciIULTX* M. PtHupermtaadfut*cM SS WILLARD'S VIEWS.Dr. aeward. “Of that I can assure you. 1 have studied her case and there is nothing the matter with her. I have investigated bo me of herstatements and have foundthem to be true. When Mis* Susan Dickinson sent for me she told ruethat her sister was a dangerouslunatic, and I went to Danville with the expectation of eet ing such aperson. The moment I looked at her I wasconvinced that that statement was not true, and subsequent examination established her complete eanitv. I am prepared to do whatever I can to o«abtt herin securing her rights and came here with that purpose. We shall consult legal advisors *a to the steps that are necessary tobe taken.”Louisa McDonald corroborated thepoints of the atory with which the wasacquainted.Phra Delphi a, April 10.—The storythat Anna Dickinson was a sane womanwhen she was committed to the Danville insane asylum, and that her commitment was irregular ; that the state lunacy laws were in her case flagrantly violated, and that Philadelphia phyaiciane an I officiatewere concerned in the injustice done tier.is oiacia ly an I partirular.y denied hem.The letter which Mine Dirkin»on paysshe sent to the cha rnun and secrciar? ofthe *r ate hoard of chorine*, Dre Thomas O. Morton and Henry M. \» elhmll ofthis city, was received bv Dr. Wetherill,who visited htr immediately upon receipt of the letter, having shown it to DrMorten. Thomas Barlow, the attorneyof tbd board, accompanied Dr. Wetheriflto Danvil *. In tolling of tho visit, Dr.Wethtrill tr-dav ctid:**\7e found Mire Dickir.v-n installed inthe most comfortable ward of the wholetuatitulion. I he Danville asylum, like other state asylum s, D over-crow led, but only on the men’s side. There is room among the women still for the comfortable accommodation of a number of r*ew ativnt*. Miss Dickinson* ward has aadsome parlor and a targe dining-room. Her room itself locked out upon a beautiful view, was tastefully furnished, and had pictures, mirrors aud every decoration and appurtenance that a refined woman could desire. It had all been put in order by the attendants a couple of hours prior to our arrival. Yet it was already in such a condition as is alwaysfound in the apartments of persons violently or acutely deranged. It was confused and upset and was in keeping with Miss Dickinson's appearanceaud manner. The interview was necessarily brief, because she declined totalk to us, or, at least, wou d say very little. When not actually talking to us, ahewaked excitedly up and down the room,giving utterance to incoherent words andErase* and ac ting in exactly the manner t insane people are accustomed to act. She told os that she was sane and that Dr. Shulls, the superintendent. suppressedher letters. 1 told her of our receipt ofthe letter she mailed to us. and we had forwarded to Howe A Hummel of NewYork the letter winch she had enclosedaddressed to that firm. Mr. Bartow did,•s site state*, request her to sit down quietly and talk it over, but lie said nothing about anticipating legal proceedings. Very little more was Mud, because she declined to talk, walking the floor in great excitement and reiterating that her lawyers had the matter in their hands.“On inquiring at Dr. Schultz afterward•hat he thought of her condition, heid it was his medical opinion that sheTh* Warmest Aft*, tioit Alwny* Kxlaiad II**Itvrea ih* Stittra*Chicago, April 10.—”1 really do notknow what to make of this report in regard to the unjust incarceration of AnnaDickinson, Faid Miss Frances K. Willard,president of the World’s woman's Christian temperance union, today. “I have noauthoritative information on which tobase a hypothesis, continued Miss Willard, “and I was never in my life more astonished than when I read the statement. What I do know is that I have been acquainted with Susan E. Dickinson,Anna's sister, for the last fifteen years, and that to my knowledge, she has been a moat generous, faithful and beloved sister There was the most cordial and loving relations between the two sisters,and I have, times a it bout number,heard Anna speak in the most affectionate way of 8usan. Indeed, t have always regarded I'mean as the mainstav of tho family. Anna was always erratic, but Pusanwent on in the even tenor of her way, and was always to be depended upon. Sus.auhas always belonged to the society ofIlickite friends*, and has been regarded asa moat conscientious, liigh-minded Christian woman by all who knew her. I could not believe Susan Dickinson capabioof the hare conduct alleged to her underany circumstances, but. really, I do not see what she could hope to gam by such a court-:. The plan for tho fund which wehoped to raise is that it shall he placed inthe hands of the trustees ami that only tho interest shall be paid to Anna Dickinson, and that it shall be kept as a permanentfund for the purpose of aiding any womanwho has given her life to the public and is no longer able to care for herself.Here are two letters from Susan Dickinson which 1 received recently,” said Miss Willard. In the one, dated April U,cha tells tne of Anna’s removal and says; ‘I couid not go with her, because, as is so usual in fuch cases, she turned suddenlyand violently agaiuet me, un i until I havethe assurance that it is better instead ofworse for her to see me, I shall wait.* la the same letter she speaks w ith confidence of what she hopes w:l! be the result of her being under 1 r Frederick W. So ward’sewe, and tell* of a lady who was similarlyaffected and perfectly cured by hia treatment.”Mia* Susan clowd this letter of April 3to Misa Willard with; ‘‘How earnestly I thank you for all you are doing and for allour tributes to Anna in what you write, have no adequate words to say. Hut 1 pray God to bless you, and 1 look forwardto the day when you and Anna shall takeloving counse together.In the letter to Mias Willard, bearingdate April ti, busun Dickinson apt-aka ofIxiuijse McDonald, who was Anna Dickinson’s misyt when ahe was traveling and ia devoted To her, and who Is now a widow, aa going with her to Dr, Seward's from theDanville asylum. This was because of the sudden dislike Anna bad conceived for herself. She .‘-ays; “At first Annawould have nothing to do with her,butlater was persuaded to make friendswith her. You see from the first Annahas been intensely, bitterly su«piciousandset against all who nave been nearest and dearest to her.nMias Willard expressed it as her opinion that the hardships and overwork to which Anna Dickinoon subjected herself fot many years and her resultant ill healthfor some time past would very naturallyresult in a condition that would produceall sorts of halluciuations. And thatwithout LDovinz anything about it, MissWillard thought Anna Dickinson, while appearing quite sane, was the victim offriends in West Pittston and vicinity willtestify that she has devoted her life foryear* to the welfare aud in ter tats of Anna.In denying the storv publiahed in NewYork, Jlfs* Susan Dirkiu*on first refers to the charges that a removal was made to West Pittaton, clearly to please herself. The true reason of the removal, she eavs, was because Miss Anna hnd lest the means to support ber mother as she desired to in Philadelphia. Bha explained facts relative to their family arrangementsand then answers the charge of extravagance. saying that she was her sister'sprivate secretary and bouiskseper andwas ajiowud S2-t0 a mouth to meet expenses, which included the house rentalof *1,000 u year. The house was generallyfull of InnVa company, and they had tobe provided for. It was impossible, therefore, to avoid tho standing over of accounts until her return home to oettle attimes.“I never male an in vest moot of any kind in my life,” continued Miss Susan, “I never bought trinket?! for myself andwas not in the habit of making guts toany people. My sister’s allegation that I bfivc an inti use hatred and jealousy forher has never taken anv other form than that of striving to further her interests tothe utmost of my ability. Physicians willtestify that in the summer of 1877 it was my nureiog which saved her life. Dr.Hileman, whom she abuses, was* bor own srb iion and she praised him to the skies.After a time, on Thursday, Feb. 19, Anna became violently delirious and her actions were very curious. Among other thincs she began screaming and pounding on the partition walls. The servant wasafraid of her, ran out of tho house and wan followed by Anna. Mie then tamo back and ate her supper. Her storv of gleaming white crystals in a cup of coffeeis a pure fabrication, w hich only insanity can account for. JN-veral days before ehe had been accusing How Hummel), herattorneys, of vilest treachery in her caseagainst the republican national committee,and she areeried that an o d friend in Boston won concerned in a plot to ruin herreputation.Miss Susan speak* of 31 iss Anna’s violence toward her, and then sava that onFeb. 25 it became necessary to Jedver her sister to Danville because she had eatennothing for three nays. £he was notroughly handled and her clothing wm not injured, m stated in the papers, at thetime Hie door was forced open. Herpapers have been carefully assorted andthey now await her disr ueillon. Her stagejewels, in one package, and her privatejew«l» in another, a e soia in her own bank in Pittvton, subject to her order.The attempt to secure money for her was inaugurated by Mrs. Longford and MireWillard without any action or word onMire .Susan's part.In conclusion Mire Sufeh aavs that she■c*c- ow that, tier friends told tier trulywhen they said atu* was foolish to devote her life to Miss Anna. Hereafter Annamust find faithful n**rvice wherever shecan. Mtss bdttnn does not explain why,when tit© Scranton Jiej-ntdiean first gaveI., the world the story of her sister's insanity, she sent a slrohgly worded denial of it to every paper in the region, p;aimingthat th® report was a “cruet outrage.Flitdon P®»|il* Indignant.Wilkese \rbk, Pa., April 10.—There wasconsiderable indignation expresaed in and about the town of Fittston today whenthe atory published this morning concerning the condition of Miss Anna Dick-inson and the alleged persecution of theafflicted Woman by her sister, MLre Susan,was read. The Pittston fiaseite this evening ^aye: Of course there ie not to befound in all this region a single personwho for nno moment believes the ridiculous storv sent out Miss Susan has been greatly devoted to her sister and for years■be has pieced her welfare above ail else,even to tho extent of relinquishing, thegreater portion of her literary work inorder that she might be able tu better attend to her sister during her late illness.—M il Ofrklnton nl tjo«h#n.N v Yoke, .April 10. —Anna Dickinson the city this forenoon for Goshen, N,Y., where she will undergo medical treatment.Ifutterly basedelusion.MlSS SUSAN'S STATEMENT.She Make* a llttollsrt I»a«lnl of the N«wy»rk •'HentldV' sterr.BcJtAJTTOSf, Pa., April 10.—Mins Hunan E.Dickinson was In this eitv today in consultation with friends relative to the statements made by her sister to a reporter in New York. Miss Dickinson sai l that shehod tbie morning telegraphed Dr. dewardthat be would be held in damage for theinjury he is doing her slater’s mind in confirming her delusion, and a'so that' . fu.. iS£5’..AT
Newspaper Details
Indianapolis Indiana State Sentinel
Indianapolis, Indiana, US
Wed, Apr 15, 1891
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Pennsylvania S.
PA, USA 11 Dec 2019
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