The Platte Journal, October 2, 1872
Not long ago we called attention to the fact that there was a family of persons of unsound mind in the western portion of the county, and that they made indecent, public exposure of their persons. Those who complained to us about these persons will find the law on the subject, at Page 236 of the Revised Statutes. It will be seen by reference thereto that any resident of the county may file with the Probate Judge an affidavit, the form of which is given, and that nothing can be done by the public authorities until this is done. Those more nearly interested should see to this matter.
We learn, too, that there is an insane man, running at large in the western part of the county, who carries a gun, and is said to be a dangerous character. There is a proper, legal way to attend to this matter, and that without any expertise to the individual who may take it hand, if he be not a "natural guardian" of the insane person.
The Columbus Democrat, April 8, 1887
WOODS--For sometime Henry Woods, the popular 12th street barber has shown evidences of losing his mental balance, and the consequence has been the loss of the finest trade any barber could have. Last Monday night he was noticed to be very irritable, and when he went home, commenced to destroy furniture, etc., in the house. He was then taken to the court house and Tuesday was adjudged insane by the commission, and was taken to Lincoln Thursday. The case is a sad one. Henry was a jovial, pleasant fellow, and had hosts of friends, and it is very hard on his wife and two children. The entire community has the greatest sympathy for the unfortunate man, and expressions of sorrow are heard on all sides.
The Columbus Democrat, July 1, 1887
HEDRICK--August Hedrick was brought in from Loup township on Saturday last and was adjudged insane. Owing to the lack of room in the asylum at Lincoln, he was placed in the hospital to receive temporary care. He rested all right until Tuesday evening when he eluded the vigilance of the Sisters and made his escape. He was nearly devoid of clothing when he escaped, barefooted and bareheaded. In this plight he made his appearance at the residence of County Clerk Stauffer, and frightened his family by his incoherent talk and wild gesticulations. He visited several other residences in the neighborhood causing a good many scares. A party was organized to run him down and they succeeded in running him back to the hospital. Mrs. Pat Hays was driving by at this time when the crazy man jumped into the vehicle behind her, scaring her so that she dropped the lines and the horse ran away, throwing her little boy out of the buggy the wheels of which passed over him, but not seriously injuring him. The horse was stopped without further mishap, and it now being nearly dark Hedrick escaped. He was found out in the country next day by a farmer and brought to town. When found he was nude, having probably torn up what clothing he had on when he effected his escape.
The Columbus Democrat, February 17, 1888
A special train conveying ninety-eight insane patients passed through here Wednesday en-route to Norfolk. The asylum there is now open, and all of the ninety-eight are unfortunates who have been sent from this district to the asylum in Lincoln.
The Columbus Democrat, February 24, 1888
COATS--In the train load of "queer" which passed through this city last week en-route to the asylum for the insane at Norfolk, was Judge Coats. Judge Coats was formerly editor of the Schuyler Sun, along back in '74 or 75, and before he became daft he was a very intelligent gentleman. He was sent to the asylum from Colfax county. His wife, a very estimable lady, lives at Schuyler. Tom Wilson, foreman of the U.P. round-house in this city, went into the car to see the Judge. He recognized Wilson at once and appeared glad to see him. He told Wilson that he was going up to Norfolk to look after the political interests of that locality.
The Columbus Democrat, June 15, 1888
OHLRICH--Yesterday afternoon a Democrat reporter learned that a woman was lying on the floor of the U.P. depot in a drunken stupor. Upon investigation he found this report to be incorrect. The woman, who gave the name of Jennie Ohlrich, is evidently insane, the trouble as near as could be learned, resulting from the loss of her husband and children. She claims to hail from near Haysprings where she says her husband and children died.
She was taken to the Lindell hotel where she was taken care of last night. It appears that she is endeavoring to reach the east where she has friends. She is very reticent and at times her mind seemed to be wandering so that very little could be learned in regard to her.
The Columbus Democrat, January 4, 1889
BRICKS--Mr. Bricks, a farmer living three miles west of here in Platte county on Mr. Woodworth's old farm, was reported as having gone insane and yesterday Dr. Geer was sent for to see if anything could be done for him. Financial difficulty is the cause of his derangement. His crops were not large enough to meet his debts and creditors were pressing him, one of them having seized a load of corn he had hauled into Leigh the other day and at the same time he said his children were suffering for clothing. It is also reported that he is to blame for his troubles as he drinks much of his earnings up whenever he comes to town.--Leigh Advocate.
The Columbus Weekly Telegram, August 9, 1889
FABER--Moses Ed Faber, known throughout the Republican valley as the "Big Chief," attempted suicide yesterday morning by jumping from the South river bride. The water was very shallow where he struck, being only two feet deep, and he was rescued by some men who happened to witness his rash act. He has been a hard drinker for a number of years, and of late has had some financial trouble, which is thought to have unbalanced his mind. He will probably spend a few months in the insane asylum at Norfolk.
The Columbus Weekly Telegram, September 13, 1889
TAYLOR--We regret to announce that the friends of William Taylor found it necessary last evening to take him to the insane asylum at Norfolk for treatment. Taylor had been acting strangely for several days and it was feared he was losing his mind, but no publicity of the matter was made. On Wednesday his brother Charley returned from Leigh and found William talking and acting in a manner that bore unmistakable signs of insanity. He took him out to another brother's near Leigh, thinking he might recover his unbalanced mind in a day or two, but he grew steadily worse and it was found necessary to place him in the insane hospital. Mr. Taylor was a man of good intelligence and had conducted a successful business in this city for some time. It is hoped his diseased mind is only a temporary affliction and that he will soon recover under the skillful treatment he will receive at Norfolk. No change will be made in his business interests here until it is known whether or not his case is serious.
The Columbus Weekly Telegram, October 25, 1889
CRAWFORD--Last night about 10:30 o'clock as J.M. Macfarland was wending his way homeward, a man jumped out abruptly in front of him and started toward him as though he meant mischief. Mac commanded him to halt, but the fellow took to his heels. Mac pursued him and during the chase was joined by Mr. McDill. Together they pursued the fellow and captured him. The fellow proved to be a 19-year-old lad by the name of Crawford, who has been around town for some time and whose queer actions have been the subject of a good deal of comment. When Macfarland and McDill caught him he claimed to be a detective and said that he had mistaken Macfarland for the man he was after.
Realizing that the fellow was mentally unbalanced, his captors turned him loose.
Crawford hails from some where near Silver Creek. He is a fit subject for investigation by the commissioners of insanity.
The Columbus Weekly Telegram, March 20, 1890
SMITH--Sherman Smith of Lost Creek township, who has been considered a little daft for some time, made a threat against the life of Dr. Willy of this city yesterday. The doctor swore out a warrant against Smith, charging him with being insane. Sheriff Caldwell goes to Platte Center this morning to bring Smith in for examination, which will occur tomorrow.
SMITH; SCHOLTZ--Dr. C.B. Sillman, J.G. Reeder and G.B. Speice, the commissioners of insanity, held a session yesterday for the purpose of examining into the mental condition of Sherman Smith, mention of which has been made in The Telegram. It was decided to leave Smith free for a few days longer, under the care of the sheriff, in hopes that he would improve, as it was not thought that he was a subject for the asylum.
While engaged with Smith, Chief of Police Thomas McTaggert brought before them Joseph Scholtz, whose wife left him February 17 and about whom there has been so much talk. Scholtz has been acting queer for sometime and has been under police surveillance, but until last night he did not develop dangerous enough symptoms to warrant his arrest. Scholtz was found to be mentally deranged and was ordered committed to the insane asylum. It is thought that he is suffering from congestion of the brain and he has had spells during which he is dangerous. All stories about his having killed his wife are "fakes," as she is said to be alive and well, living in Omaha. The burden of Scholtz's complaint against her does not seem to be so much over her leaving him, as the fact that she took nearly all the money he had with her.
The Columbus Weekly Telegram, March 27, 1890
SMITH--The commissioners of the board of insanity held a meeting yesterday to again consider the case of Sherman Smith, who has been before them several times. It was decided to send Smith to the asylum in the hopes that proper treatment would restore him to sanity, and Sheriff J.C. Caldwell will take him up there today if there is room for him in the asylum.
SCHOLTZ--There has been some criticism of the action of the board of insanity in sending Joseph Scholtz to the asylum. Some people think they know more about the business than the commissioners. One of the board informed The Telegram yesterday that Scholtz was insane when taken to the asylum, beyond a doubt, although it was only temporary. He had lost sleep on account of his troubles and was in poor health. The case had led to congestion of the brain and he was a dangerous person to be at large, both to himself and others, as he was liable at any moment to commit some act of violence. Therefore it was deemed advisable to send him where he could be properly cared for and treated. He will probably recover in a few weeks if given the right care.
The Columbus Weekly Telegram, September 11, 1890
McMASTERS--Mrs. Sarah McMasters has wandered away from her home at Silver Creek. She is insane, and it is believed that she is trying to reach Burlington, Ia. The officers along the Union Pacific have been notified to look out for her and arrest her if possible.
[...and...]
Mrs. W.A. McMaster, strayed away from her home near Grand Island about a week ago while laboring under a fit of insanity. Her husband was here yesterday looking for her. A woman answering her description was seen here yesterday. She was inquiring for a place to work. Any person knowing or learning anything of this unfortunate woman's whereabouts will please report the same to Sheriff Caldwell, who will see that she is taken care of until her husband can reach here and take charge of her.
[...and...]
Chief Talor went to Oconee last night, having learned that Mrs. McMasters, the crazy woman whose husband was here yesterday after her, was at that village.
[...and...]
Chief Taylor, who went up the branch Wednesday night in search of Mrs. W.R. McMaster, who is crazy, succeeded in capturing her near Monroe.
The unfortunate woman hails from Alda, Hall county, instead of from Silver Creek. she was brought to this city and her husband started home with her yesterday.
The Columbus Weekly Telegram, October 2, 1890
KUEHNEL--Joe Kuehnel, the crazy man, who is confined in the county jail, made so much noise yesterday afternoon, that the sheriff had to lock him up in one of the cells and put down all the windows, so that the business of the district court could be carried on.
The Columbus Weekly Telegram, October 9, 1890
KUEHNEL--Whether a person be crazy or not when put in the Platte county jail, by the time the board of insanity get around, they are bound to be stark mad. It is a wonder how the county officers have survived as long as they have, with Joe Kuehnal in the jail.
GORES--Yesterday morning the authorities were called upon to take into custody another person who has lost her reason. This time it is the wife of Frank Gores, a carpenter of this city. The board of insanity was called, examined into the case and adjudged her insane. This is not the first time that the unfortunate woman has been so afflicted. About six years ago she was the victim of a similar spell and now it has come on again.
The Columbus Weekly Telegram, October 30, 1890
KUEHNAL--Sheriff J.C. Caldwell went to Lincoln yesterday to see the state board about the case of Joe Kuehnal, insane, who has been incarcerated in jail here for several months, waiting for a room in the insane asylum. The sheriff obtained an order for the transfer of a person from Norfolk to Hastings and Joe will take his place. Joe, who has been a Platte County boarder for so long, will probably be taken to Norfolk next Monday.
The Columbus Weekly Telegram, March 26, 1891
KLENCHI--A warrant was issued yesterday for the arrest of Peter Klenchi, a farmer living west of town, to have him brought before the board of insanity to be examined. He sold his farm recently to Will Ernst and when that gentleman went out there yesterday to take possession he was driven away by Klenchi with a pitch fork. He is an old time resident of Loup township and well known throughout the county.
The Columbus Weekly Telegram, August 13, 1891
KUEHNEL--Meagre reports from Norfolk tell of the killing of one of his keepers at the insane asylum in that city, by Joe Kuehnel, an inmate. Kuehnel was sent up from this city in April, 1890, and will be remembered as the fellow who destroyed all his religious books by fire on the public streets. Since his confinement in the asylum, he has been quite ugly, at one time biting off the ear of one of the keepers.
The Columbus Journal, September 14, 1892
CONNOR--Charles Connor, an old time engineer in the employ of the Union Pacific R'y Co., for several weeks past has shown unmistakable evidence of a demented mind, and Thursday last was brought before the commissioners of insanity here for examination who adjudged him insane and ordered that he be sent to the asylum at Norfolk for treatment. We understand that for several months past Mr. Connor has complained of severe pains in the head, to relieve which he has been in the habit of using opiates, this doubtless having much to do in placing him in his present condition.
The Columbus Journal, October 5, 1892
HEIMROD--Mrs. Heimrod is again insane, but there is no room for her at the asylum, and she will have to be cared for by the county. Her's is a very sad case. Her former husband, Fiedler, committed suicide, during a temporary fit of insanity.
The Columbus Journal, February 13, 1895
HARRIS--Judge Harris, an old citizen of Madison who was some weeks ago adjudged insane by the county board of insanity and sent to the asylum at Norfolk, has been released on writ of habeas corpus to the county court, and, it would seem from the Norfolk News' account of the case, that the examining physician, Dr. Makay, had gone wrong in pronouncing the Judge insane. Experts on insanity at the asylum, attendants there, as well as reputable citizens of Madison testified that they had seen no evidences of insanity in the Judge, and so he was released. The charge is made against Dr. Makay that his opinion as physician was not an unbiased opinion, his real design being to punish Harris for not following the Dr's. dictation as to politics last fall. It is a pretty pickle all around, but the Doctor seems confident of pulling through in justification of his opinon. He was an applicant for the position of superintendent of the asylum at Norfolk, and Harris' friends claim that if he could have been held there until that event, it would have been much more difficult to secure his release from unjust deprivation of his liberty.
The Columbus Journal, August 1, 1900
BARNUM--The board of insanity, consisting of Clerk of the Court Gruenther, W.N. Hensley and Dr. Baker, gave decision Monday, as to application regarding Hon. Guy C. Barnum, adverse to his being deprived of his liberty.
The Columbus Journal, September 5, 1900
MORESEN--A crazy man who about midnight of last Wednesday appeared at Henry C. Bean's south of the river, asking admission, claiming that two men were following him, imagining that he had something to do with the Durant murder in California. Sheriff Byrnes was sent for and brought the man to town.
The Columbus Journal, March 13, 1901
BUCHANAN--A very unusual, and at the same time a most pitiable event occurred in Albion this week, when both Mr. and Mrs. Daniel M. Buchanan were adjudged insane. Mrs. Buchanan we understand has for a long time been gradually losing her mind, and the malady in her case is of a mild form. Mr. Buchanan has been queer for some time, but not until the last few weeks has he been considered really insane. He has been carrying a revolver, and has done so many erratic things that it was not considered safe for him to be at large.
The Columbus Journal, August 28, 1901
BARBER--The Albion News says that sometime during the past summer Mr. L.W. Barber of Boone was overcome by the heat, since which he has acted somewhat queerly at times. Last week, accompanied by his three daughters, he went to the Fullerton assembly. On Sunday while attending a meeting at the auditorium he got up and went out. He did not come back, and his daughters looked for him some time before they announced the fact of his disappearance. When evening came they got alarmed and asked the assistance of the sheriff. He called for volunteers and two hundred men responded and prosecuted a thorough and systematic search until midnight and then rested until morning. About noon the next day word came that he was at Belgrade 18 miles distant. His actions indicated that he was totally deranged. He has always been a hard-working man, quiet and unostentatious in demeanor, and was considered one of our best and most substantial citizens. He was overcome while working in the field. It is to be hoped that his recovery will be speedy.
Columbus Telegram, December 6, 1901
WEISENFLUH--Mrs. H. Weisenfluh, residing on the Heintz farm, northeast of the city, has been adjudged insane, and committed to the Lincoln asylum. The complaint was filed by J.W. Wisenstine, proprietor of the Meridian hotel. Testimony at the examination showed that Mrs. Weisenfluh had been stopping at the hotel for several days, and had given out the impression that she was soon to enter the hospital for treatment. She had there attracted attention of the landlord and guests by reason of her peculiar conduct and language at times, and Mr. Wisenstine, concluding that his guest was either erratic or insane, called attention of the officeials to the woman's condition. At first she was removed to St. Mary's hospital, but since she flatly refused to stay there unless under careful watch of the sisters, it became necessary to confine her in the county jail, pending her removal to the asylum.
Columbus Journal, January 29, 1902
WARING--The check-signing mania of Frank E. Waring (who lately was in the toils here), was found to be due to mental derangement; so said the insanity commissioners of Douglas county, and Waring has been taken to the asylum at Lincoln. The youth's father had made good some $2,000 of forged checks.
Columbus Journal, February 5, 1902
ZESSIN--Mrs. Zessin, one of the oldest settlers of the Union creek neighborhood and a well known character in Humphrey, says the Democrat, was adjudged insane at Madion last week and taken to the asylum at Lincoln. The Zessin's have reaped a goodly share of this world's goods, and it seems the accumulation of wealth caused the unfortunate woman to lose her mind. Her husband has been an invalid for several years and she has had the management of everything. A search of her premises revealved several thousand dollars hid away in different places, the amount being reported all the way from $5,000 to $20,000. We have been unable to learn the exact amount.
Columbus Journal, March 19, 1902
KAVANAUGH--At a meeting of the board of insanity Tuesday afternoon last, Dan. Kavanaugh, former sheriff of Platte county, was adjudged to be a proper subject for treatment at an asylum for the insane, and was taken Wednesday, by Deputy Smith to Lincoln. He tells us that Mr. Kavanaugh made no objections, but knew where he was being taken, and wanted to go. Evidently, he recognizes the serious results that might ensue, if he were free from restraint, in a crisis.
The Columbus Journal, July 6, 1904
BAIRD--James Baird of Clarks, an old and respected citizen of that town, was taken to the asylum for the insane at Lincoln last Sunday morning. He was attacked suddenly the day before and immediately became violent, so that it was necessary to put him in chains and have three or four men to handle him.
The Columbus Journal, September 21, 1904
KRESHA--Theodore Kresha was examined this afternoon by the insanity board and declared insane. He will be taken to the Lincoln asylum as soon as the authorities there can be heard from. This is the third time Kresha has been declared insane, having been sent to Norfolk twice. Kresha has been extremely irrational for some time and of late has been a source of annoyance on the streets, causing the police considerable trouble.
The Columbus Journal, October 25, 1904
KRESHA--C. M. Gruenther has received the following letter from Dr. T.L.Greene, superintendent of the Lincoln Insane asylum, under date of October 24, notifying him of the escape of Theodore Kersha [sic], who was adjudged insane a few weeks ago and taken to the asylum by the Platte county authorities: "I beg to advise you that Theodore Kresha escaped from custody yesterday. If this man is again found in Platte county, have him taken into custony and returned as the law directs."--J. L. Greene. superintendent.
The Columbus Journal, November 30, 1904
Deputy Lachnit returned Theodore Kersha to the Lincoln asylum yesterday from which place he escaped a few weeks ago.
The Columbus Telegram, July 7, 1905
KOCH--Frank Koch, who was sent from this county to the state insane asylum at Lincoln about two years ago and later was transferred to the asylum at Hastings, was captured here yesterday. He escaped from the Hastings Institution about ten days ago. Deputy Sheriff Lachnit returned with him to that institution yesterday. Koch is regarded as a dangerous man to be at large. When last residing at home he attempted to kill his family, and this is what led to his incarceration.
Columbus Telegram, September 29, 1905
CARPENTER--A pitiable case of insanity was seen in Columbus last Saturday, when the sheriff of Nance county passed through here on his way to Norfolk in charge of a young man who was being taken to the state institution at that place for treatment. The young fellow was in irons, and between trains was taken to the county jail for safe keeping. His name was Willard Carpenter, and his home is near Belgrade, in Nance county. Last August he disappeared from his home, and although traces of his wanderings could be found in several localities he eluded capture until last week. Young Carpenter was found in a cornfield near Albion. For two weeks he had been subsisting upon nothing but green corn, and drinking water from a creek. He was almost destitute of clothing, having no hat and scarcely anything on except a pair of trousers. He was laboring under the delusion that somebody was trying to kill him.
The Columbus Telegram, March 31, 1916
POTMESIL--Suffering with the mental hallucination that someone was after him with a gun, James Potmesil was brought down from Lindsay last Friday and given a hearing before the insanity commission. Potmesil was a believer in prepareness, and when arrested was found to have in his pocket, a loaded six-shooter which he carried for the purpose of defending himself against his imaginary enemies. The insanity commission adjudged him insane and ordered him committed to the state hospital. Potmesil came to the attention of the county authorities nearly three years ago when he was arrested for beating his wife at their home on a farm near Lindsay. The incident so aroused the people of Lindsay and vicinity that many threats of a "rope-party" were heard. He was given a thirty-day jail sentence for the offense. He has a wife and six children. The family home is now in Omaha.
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