1884, 1888 (Pages 146-199) -- Transcription

Page	Type of Insanity	Date of Examination	Physical condition	Patient Information
p. 146			P. 132	Maria Lydecker, female, white, 78 years, widowed, a native of Paris France. Recommended her commitment to the S-I. A. at Jackson on January 4th 1884 finding her insane suffering from Dementia Was sent to the La. Retreat on Jan’y 4th/84 and died two or three days after. [marginal note: Dead]
p. 147			P. 84	Wm. G. Meyer, male, white, married, 32 yrs., native of Germany, recommended his commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson, on January 17th 1884, finding him insane suffering from Acute Mania. This man, a musician by trade, responds pretty well, but at times jumps from one subject to another, without knowing what he speaks about, and is not able to give a satisfactory account of himself. He has been this way for the last 3 or 4 days only.
p. 148			P. 96	Lizzie Green, female, colored, single, 35?[sic] years. Native of Louisiana, recommended her commitment to the S-I-A at Jackson, finding her insane suffering from Intermittent (Chronic) Mania, on January 17th 1884. About 3 years ago, this woman, was in the City Insane Asylum, she recovered and was employed in that institution as servant at its breaking up in Sept. 1882. Today she is turbulent and dangerous and unable to take care of herself.
p. 149			P. 84	William Kernig, male, white, single, 32 yrs. old, native of N.O. La., recommended his commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson, on January 17th/84, finding him insane, suffering from Chronic Mania. This man, is in rags, barefooted and bare-headed. Says his name is Duke. Replies foolishly to some questions and cunningly and correctly to others. He has been insane for over two years, with lucid intervals. I suspect a syphilitic affection of the brain.
p. 150				Kate Green, female, white, single, single,[sic] 35 yrs., native of N.O. La. Recommended her commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson on January 18th/84, finding her suffering from Chronic Mania. This woman has fallen into a state of complete moral decrepitude and abject carelessness; she is dirty and ragged, in a word, unable to take care of herself.
p. 151			P. 96	Williamson Smith, male, white, single, 28 years old, native of N.O. La. Recommended his commitment to the S-I-A, at Jackson, on January 20th/84, finding him insane suffering from Hallucinations. This young man imagines that for the last 2 years he has been drugged by his sister. He is so firmly informed with that belief that he has even become aggressive and threatened to shoot or cut her.
p. 152			P. 96	John Costello, male,white, single?[sic], 61 years of age, native of Ireland. Recommended his commitment to the S-I-A, at Jackson, on January 20th/84, finding him insane, suffering from Hallucinations. This unfortunate old man, for the last 6 or 9 months imagines himself possessed by the voudous, and is even impertinent if one disbelieves him. Besides his walk and movements are uncertain & trembling. I suspect a softening of the brain.
p. 153			P. 84 Pupils Irregular	Alfred Robinson, male, white, married, 40?[sic] years, native of England. Recommended his commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson, on January 20th/84, finding him insane suffering from Acute Mania. This man is said to have been struck on the head by a fall. He is about 6 ft. high and slim. His movements and answers are sluggish. He seems to wander or not to understand what is told to him. His left pupil is a little larger than the right, and slightly oval. He has been insane (and violent at the onset) for about 5-6 weeks.
p. 154				Mrs. John Long, born Mary Rabett, female, white, married, -- years old, native of Ireland, recommended her commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson, La. on February 10th 1884, finding her insane, suffering from Hallucinations with Delirium of Persecutions. Her husband took her back home on the 12th Feb’y/84.
p.155				Dorcilia Judice, female, white, single, 40 yrs old, native of N.O. La., recommended her commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson, La. on February March 11th/84 finding her insane, suffering from Idiocy, the result of Epilepsy. Since the age of seven, she is subject to fits, the result of fright. For the last few years especially, two last years, she has fallen into a state of idiocy, barely often speaking, one in a while sometimes a shriek. Jackson. Houston J.
p. 156			P. 96	Angelina Fines, female, colored, single, 35(?) [sic] years old, native of U. S., recommended her commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson on February 20th 1884, finding her insane, suffering from Stupidity. She laughs constantly: when asked a question she gives a sharp answer, which is sometimes correct, but generally not. She is unable to give the place of her birth or her age.
p. 157				Francois Le Breton, male, widowed, 42 years old, white? [sic] colored , native of Alsace?[sic] U.S., recommended his commitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson, on February 20th 1884, finding him insane, suffering from Paralytic Insanity. This old man is unable to carry on a natural conversation; he says he is 24 years old and five minutes after says he is 82 years of age. Says he is a white man, an alsacian. Trembles from head to foot while standing or speaking, though his walk is rather steady. Incontinence of urine.
p. 158			P.102	Lelia Talbert, female, white, native of Richmond Va., 27 yrs of age, single, recommended her commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson, on February 21st/84, finding her insane suffering from Idiocy. This unfortunate young girl, when 9 months of age while sick with the measles had spasms, [retrocission] of the eruption, resulting in a state of idiocy from which she has never recovered. She is small for her age. Never could learn anything. Does not know how to read or write, irregular menstruation, etc. [Note at bottom of page: N.B. Private case.]
p. 159			P. 140	William Boyd, male, white, 13 yrs old, nativity unknown, single, recommended his commitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson, finding him insane, suffering from Stupidity, bordering on Idiocy, caused by epilepsy. He was discharged from the Charity Hospital for being insane. On January 31th/84 he was sent to the workhouse on the charge of Insanity. He was then in a wretched condition of physical health and an advanced state of anaemia. Physically he has improved considerably, but his mind is in the same state as when he first entered the institution. His movements are sluggish, and it is with difficulty that we can obtain a word from him.
p. 160				Richard, Geo., Redwood, male, white, married, 50 years old, native of Mobile, Ala. Recommended his commitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson, on February 28th 1884, finding him insane suffering from Acute Mania. This man answers correctly to most questions, if you can concentrate his mind on a single subject, provided the questions are simple ones and necessitates plain or mono-syllabic answers. He is constantly moving his hands and head. At times he says “Don’t say anything to anyone” and looks around as if something was annoying or persecuting him. He has a cataract of left eye. His pupils are dilated, the left more than the right. This attack of insanity is said to be the result of a drunken spree, but I think it is due to heredity, as it is doubtful whether he has drunk any [thing scratched out] liquor for a long time back, while one brother died insane in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Filed March –- 1884 Houston J. Signed April 18th/84 – No. 10889.
p. 161				Edw’d McAuliff, male, white, single, __ yrs, native of N.O. La. Recommended his commitment to S-I-A at Jackson, on February 15th/84 finding him insane suffering from *[sentence ends in original] Sent to Jackson Houston J.
p. 162				Mary Jane Gilbert, female, white, widowed, 55 years native of Indiana. Recommended her commitment to the S-I-A. on March 11th/84, finding her insane suffering from Chronic Melancholic Mania. Has been in the La. Retreat for the last 12 months. She remains always by herself and cannot be saved from that state. If interfered with she becomes violent. Misfortunes from the war and supposed to be the cause of her insanity.
p. 163				Elizabeth Riley, female, white, about 35 yrs old, married, native of Ireland. Recommended her commitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson, on March 11th/84, finding her insane, suffering from Hallucinations. She is afraid of bodily harm, when anyone approaches. that
p.164				Fannie Fisher, female, black, 35? [sic] years, native of La., married. Recommended her commitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson March 11th/84 finding her insane suffering from Stupidity. At night she does not sleep and is furious.
p.165				Margaret (Maggie) Thompson, female, white, single, 27 years old, native of N.O. La. Recommended her commitment to the S-I-A at Jackson on March 12th/84 finding her to be suffering from Idiocy. At five years of age she had spasms and has had them occasionny [sic] ever since, but always when asleep. She wets the bed at night.
p. 166				John??[sic] Adolphus?[sic] male, black, 55?[sic] yrs. old, native of Va. Recommended his commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson on March 13th/84, finding him insane suffering from Hallucinations. He imagines that he is going to be killed. Whiskey is probably the cause of his trouble.
p. 167				Frank Douglas, male, black, 75?[sic] years, native of Va., widower. Recommended his commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson March 16th/84, finding him insane, suffering from Dementia. He suffers from loss of memory, caused by old age and at times is unable to sleep or undress himself.
p. 168				Jane Burton, female, black, about 100 years old, native of Virginia. Recommended her commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson on March 16th/84, finding her insane suffering from Dementia. This case is the prototype of the preceeding one, but to a worst degree. She even dirties on herself.
p. 169				[Dummy] alias Silvia Rogers Sent to Jackson Houston J.
p. 170				George McMahon, male, white, married, 38 years old, native of N.O. La. Recommended his commitment to the S-I-A at Jackson, on March 22nd 1884, finding him insane, suffering from Epileptic Insanity. Nearly seven months ago the man had spasms, resulting in an impairment of his mind. He was sent to the La. Retreat and remained there 2 months, but has not recovered. He is a car driver by occupation but unable to attend to his work. He has been in the habit of drinking. Filed April 7/84. Houston J. - Signed April 18/84 – No. 11196.
p. 171				James Trainor, male, white, about 40 years old, single, native of Belfast, Ireland. Recommended his commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson on March 17th 1884, finding him insane suffering from Chronic Mania. This man is insane and [amaisotic]. Is unable to give an account of the date of the war, and yet says he was in the army, but knows not if he was in the Confederate or Federal army, if the war took place 5 or 50 years ago.
p. 172				Elizabeth Messner, female, white, 52 years old, native of Germany, recommended her commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson on March 30th 1884, finding her insane suffering from Acute Mania. Filed April 17/84 - Houston J. - signed April 18/84 - No. 11196
p. 173				John Kraus, male, white, 26 years, native N.O. La., single, recommended his commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson on April 2nd 1884, finding him insane, suffering from Acute Mania from Alcoholism. This young man gives a proper account of his name, age, sex, residence, nativity and occupation but constantly interrupts himself at every minute to speak of very excitably on different subjects. He has been dissapating very freely and drinking hard. April 15th 1884 having recovered his mind, I this day discharge him from the La. Retreat. Filed April 19th/84 - Houston J. - Signed
p.174				Alexander Trimble, male, black, married, native of Tenn., about 78 years old. Recommended his comittment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson on April 7 1884, finding him insane suffering from Acute Mania Dementia from Old Age. He speaks on all subjects at random. At times answers rationally then again does not.
p.175				Benjamin Hynson, male, white, single, 60 yrs, native of Maryland, recommended his commitment to the S-I-A. in Jackson, La. on April 15th 1884, finding him insane, suffering from Chronic Mania. This old gentleman has been in the La. Retreat for the last five years and is getting worst [sic]. Today he will not speak, is old and but little flesh on his bones. It is attributed that misfortunes and chronic diarrhea are the cause of his insanity. Filed April 17/84 - Houston J. - Signed April 18/84 - No.11196
p. 176				Oliver Locke, male, black, 40 to 45 yrs. old, single, native of St. James Parish, La. Recommended his commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson on April 16th/84, finding him insane suffering from Religious Persecutions. This man is very ragged; he imagines himself persecuted by the so called voudous, who have placed snakes in his body and thereby injure him. Filed April 17/84 - Houston J. - Signed April 18/84 - No. 11196
p. 177				Albert Hamilton, white, single, 29 years, native of Liverpool, England, cook by trade. Recommended his commitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson La. on April 16th 1884, finding him insane, suffering from Monomania with Delirium of Persecution. This man imagines it his duty to correct bad habits in small boys, and that the furious are persecuting him; that on account of that persecution he left england [sic] and came to New York, but here the politicians persecuted him, so he left and fled to N. O. where he came to purify the democratic party, etc. etc. Filed April 17/84 - Houston J. - Signed April 18/84 - No. 11196
p. 178				George Apffel, male, white, single, 18 years, native of Carrollton, N. O. La. Recommended his commitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson on April 16th/84, finding him insane suffering from Acute Mania. He talks to himself all the time; scribbles on the wall with his fingers, and auscultates [sic] the walls. His conversation is disconnected and foolish. At times however he gives a rational answer. Has been in this condition (insane) since about the first of last month. Last year (May 1883) had a similar attack which lasted about 2 or 3 mos. when he entirely recovered. Filed April 17th/84 - Houston J - signed April 18/84 - No. 11196
p. 179				Miss. Louise A. Breen, female, white, single, 30 yrs old, native of N.O. La. Recommended her commitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson, on April 15/84, finding her insane suffering from Chronic Mania. Filed April 15/84 - Houston J - Filed April 17th/84. No. 11183 (Private case)"
p. 180				Elizabeth Fehrenbach, female, white, widow, 42 yrs old, native of Germany. Recommended her commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson, on April 20th/84, finding her insame suffering from Hallucinations with Delirium of Persecution. This woman has been this way for the last 10 years - Imagines that she has noises and threats and then stuffs her ears in order not to hear and even becomes violent, furious and dangerous. Filed April 17/84 - Houston J. - Signed April 23rd 1884 - No. 11196
p. 181				Erasmus Nelson, male, white, married, native of Denmark, 37 years old. Recommended his commitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson on April 25th 1884, finding him insane, suffering from Epilepsy. This man was born without the sense of smell. His expectoration is characteristic of phthisis, though he does not cough. His sexual passions are vey much excited especially (is not only) after having had a fit. He has been married 6 or 8 years, but never had any children. He knows and admits that he is subject to epilepsy, and that he has been in the Texas State Insane Asylum. He has been subject to Epilepsy for the last 12 years. After having his fits, he is, at times, dangerous and aggressive. I think he is a masturbator. His memory though good on some points it is weak on other subjects.
p. 182				Eugenie Abadie, female, colored, single, 18? [sic] years old, native of U.S. (N.O.). Recommended her commitment to the S-I-A. in Jackson, La. on May 8th 1884, finding her insane, suffering from Idiocy. She has that peculiar look of the idiot. She stares at you when spoken to, but gives, or more properly is unable to give an answer. I have not been able to obtain any history of her case.
p. 183				Joe. Scott, male, white, single, about 25? [sic]yrs old, native of Mississippi. Recommended his commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson on May 10th/84, finding him to be an Idiot. This man has been an inmate of, and an idiot in, the Charity Hospital for the last 20 years. Lately he has become agressive and dangerous.
p. 184			P 108	Frank Adams, male, white, single, 46? [sic] yrs. old, a native of La. Recommended his commitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson, on May 13th/84, finding him insane, suffering from Acute Mania. This man is incessantly speaking in an incoherent manner and on all subjects. Once in a while he gives a rational answer.
p. 185			P 132	O.T. Tilson, male, white, single, 52 years, native of Boston, sugar refiner, in N.O. for last 21 yrs. Recommended his commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson, on May 23rd 1884, finding him insane suffering from Delirium of Grandeur. He is a stout man, weighing about 200 pounds, very phlegmatic, and yet his pulse is at 132 pulsations. He looks older than his 52 years, seems to be fully 60 to 65 yrs. Is a sugar refiner by trade. Has been in the Workhouse 4 days and says he has been there 6 weeks - He imagines himself a millionaire. I suspect a Congestion of the Brain which will result in Softening if not attended to, unless he should die by Apoplexy.
p. 186				Emile Fahnert, male, white, single, native of N.O. La., 31 years old. Recommended his commitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson on June 16th/84, finding him insane suffering from Chronic Mania.
p. 187				Betsy Spencer, female, black, married, 30? [sic] years old, native of N.O. Recommended her commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson, on May 1st 1884, finding her insane, suffering from Chronic Mania." Note: Entire entry is struck through. Added below entry is "See Page no. 137"
p. 188				Ann Starcks, female, colored, 79 years old, widowed, native of U.S. Recommended her commitment to the S-I-A. at Jackson on May 19th/84, finding her insane, suffering from Dementia.
p. 189				James Gillen, male, colored, 24? [sic] years old, single, native of Louisiana. Recommended his commitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson, on May 25th 1884, finding him insane suffering from Idiocy.
p. 190				Stonewall Jackson alias Mary, female, black, over 70 yrs. old, native of U.S. Recommended her commitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson, on May 25th 1884, finding her insane suffering from Chronic Mania.
p. 191				Mrs. Jacob Hilbold, female, white, married, 55 years old, native of Alsace. Recommended her comitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson on May 25th 1884, finding her insane suffering from Hallucinations.
p. 192				John Martin, male, black, over 60 years, native of U.S. Recommended his commitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson on May June 6th 1884 finding him insane suffering from Chronic Mania.
p. 193				Mary Cecilia, female, colored, married, 48 years old, native of Louisiana. Recommended her commitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson on June 6th 1884, finding her insane, suffering from Hallucinations with Deliuium of Persecutions. Her left leg is amputated above the knee.
p. 194				Margaret McKeon, female, white, about 55 years old, widowed, native of Ireland. Recommended her commitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson on June 6th 1884, finding her insane suffering from Religious Hallucinations. She imagines herself to be a "fallen angel," having fallen from the heavens "in the time of the rebellion", and yet she says that she is "one hundred thousand years old."
p. 195				Rosette Elmore, female, black, over 70 years old, widowed, native of U.S. Recommended her commitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson on June 6th 1884, finding her insane, suffering from Dementia.
p. 196				George Crown, male, white, single, native of N.O. La. about 57 years old. Recommended his commitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson on June 16th 1884, finding him insane, suffering from Chronic Mania. This man has been in the La. Retreat for the last 14 years; is aggressive at times and it is with difficulty that you can obtain a word from him. During my examination of him, I was unable to obtain a word from him.
p. 197				Mary Dickson, female, white, married, native of Louisiana, about 49 years of age. Recommended her commitment to the S.-I.-A. at Jackson on June 16th/84, finding her insane, suffering from Chronic Mania
p. 198	Page blank except for date 1888
p. 199				Mrs. Tony Gumpcaro born Annie Smith, female, white, 22 years old, married, native of N.O. La. Recommended her confinement to the Jackson, La. Insane Asylum, on June 20th 1888, finding her insane, suffering from Acute Mania. This, her husband reports, is her first attack. She is neither dangerous nor obcene [sic], but at times speaks a great deal, on different subjects. Sent to La. Retreat at expense of City on Saturday June 30th/88.
Note: The remaining pages in the volume are blank, except for the following note on page 269: Hollow in front, 20 foot deep-filled-circular flower garden in front, with alley (carriage) ways on side and one in center for footman - leveling of ground - chicken yard - fish and duck pond - 300 or 400 yg. chicks - men constantly working the ground - 3 acres of onions; vegetable garden, orchard, cornfield - 400 patients in building.

Record Description Pages 1 - 50 (1882) Pages 51 - 145 (1883) Pages 146-199 (1884/Jan. - June; 1888/6/30) Index