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e The Present Condition of Her Mind.'• Mrs. M. L. Rayuc recently visted0 Mrs. Lincoln at her present place ot abode—it can scarcely be called con-y finement—at Batavia, 111. The “Bel-J levno Insane Retreat” is an elegant* asylum, owned and managed by Dr. r It. J. Patterson, and stands at the ’ head of a delightfully shaded avenue,* surrounded by an enclosed area of “ twenty acres under cultivation. The* building is a massive stone mansion, y four stories high, facing the wide* drive leading to it, and presenting r the appearance of a wealthy gcntle-3 man’s residence, rather than a hospital for minds diseased; while sur- rounding it is a beautiful lawn, with 5 rustic chairs, swings, croquet grouuds , «fcc. In regard to Mrs. Lincoln, thewriter says: “I learned that Mrs.1 Lincoln gave but little trouble, that e she rested well, and was quite satis-s tied with her surroundings. A car-1 riagc is always at her disposal, and s she frequently drives out, always with 1 the doctor and Mrs. Patterson, or herown attendant, a rather attractive e young woman belonging to the Re-1 treat. In regard to her riding Mrs.1 Lincoln is very capricious. She will* announce her intention of riding be-r fore dinner, then postpone the ride e until afternoon and again until even-2 ing or the next day. She brought 1 with her to the Retreat, ten large f trunks, which have not yet been ex-* arained, but are supposed to contain P part of the miscellaneous collection ' of purchases made during her stay atthe Grand Pacific Hotel, Chicago.— 5 Shortly after her arrival here, Mrs. 1 Lincoln ordered a morning-dress of 5 black French cambric, quite elaborately made, white basque and pockets, and a black and white striped lawn,■ remarking, that “every lady needed cool toilets.” She has never worn them, or evinced any disposition to '» try them on, but as soon as they were■ completed ordered samples of black■ alpaca, from which to select a suit; her mind was diverted from this, as it was only a form of her malady toi accumulate material. Her dress is3 at all times plain, even to shabbiness, 1 and no one could be more indifferent to the effects of the toilet. In one of 1 Mrs. Lincoln’s trunks, at the Retreat,* are two very expensive doll babies.— She accounts for their presence by1 saying she intends to present them to Robert Lincoln’s little daughter, of 1 whom she is very fond.I was anxious to pay my respects » to Mrs. Lincoln in person, but she 1 had positively refused to see any vis-* itors, even declining to leave her ? room when they are in the house or } grounds, I anticipated nothing less r than a refusal when I sent up my card. 5 To the doctor’s surprise and my own,Mrs. Lincoln sent down word that ' she would be very happy to see me* in her room, and I at once accompanied the doctor thither. She oc-1 cupies a suit in the front of the house,* on the second floor. The attendant sits in the small room, which contains | a single bed. The larger is Mrs.Lincoln’s sitting and bed-room. It is very plainly furnished, the same as ; it was prior to her coming; an ordin-1 j ary three-ply carpet, of pleasant col-r! ors, harmoniously blended; a bureau,1! rocking-chair, and lounge, aud a plain2 bedstead, with a very tine bed, about* which she is quite particular. Mrs.^ Lincoln was seated in an expectant r attitude by the table as wo entered the room; she at once arose, shook hands with me cordially, and begged* me to be seated, and began at once■ to inquire after friends in the city.— ' She was dressed in ordinary black,’ half worn, with whit 3 ruches edged 1 with black in the neck and sleeves;» her dark hair, fast turning to gray,1 was carelessly coiffed in a knot at the back with coronet braid. She looked ' worn and ill, and her hands, ringlessand uncared for, were never at rest 1 The^ “Tender grace of a day (hat is deaddid not linger about her. I could plainly see in her lusterless eyes, and in the forced composure of her manner, evidences of a shattered mind.— She was perfectly ladylike in her manner, but rambling and diffuse in her conversation. She alluded rationally, however, to the past; spoke tenderly of Mr. Lincoln, once as “my husband,” and again as “the President;” asked me with much earnestness if the murderer of Hon. Sharon Tyndale, of Spriugfield, had ever been discovered, and then alluded feelingly to her attachment to Judgc Brad well’s family. As I rose to leave [ she took a handsome bouquet from a [ crystal vase on her table, and asked I me to accept it. As she shook hands [. with me at parting, I thought I could perceive in the diplomatic bow and ' smile a return of the old society manner, and my heart was full for the I woman sat down silent and alone in her solitary room, to keep imaginary ' company with Senators and Ambassadors in the light of that gracious, kindly smile, long since hidden be-' neath the coffin lid. It is one of the mercies vouchsafed her, to live life over again with her loved ones—dear i little Willie and rollicking, boyish* Tad—to sit at the head of the table : and hold familiar converse with themall. It has been urged that this is a■ development of her life among Spirit-. ualists, but it is the result of scenesphotographed on the brain, which only the Angol of Death can erase, i Mrs. Lincoln did spend several months at St. Charles, in this State, under an assumed name, and in the company of a society of Spiritualists, but it will never be definitely known how much their influence had to do with her eclipse of reason. Nor does any one seem to know who the pocket-marked man was who called upon her at her hotel, and held long consultations with her, but he is presumed to bo a prominent Spiritualist. No encouragement is held out that Mrs. Lincoln will ever become permanently well, but she could not be in a better place tor her complete restoration. Here she has no responsibility of thought or action. The noise or panorama of the streets cannot bewilder her. The injudiciousness ot friends cannot reach her; she is unaware of the slightest restraint, and can read, write, ride or walk at her pleasure. She orders her meals as she would at home, and is served in her room or at the family table, as she prefers; her son mother ev
Newspaper Details
Independence Buchanan County Bulletin
Independence, Iowa, US
Fri, Jul 30, 1875
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Brent E.
NA, 03 Sep 2023
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