Did you ever wonder what happened to mentally ill
individuals in the Old West? Something made me start thinking about that, maybe
because Halloween is coming and abandoned asylums are supposed to be among the
most haunted places one can find. Or, maybe because my great grandfather, James
Knox Polk Leggett, died in such a place.
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| General Henry Gray, 28th Regiment commander |
J.K.P. as he was called, enlisted in the Confederate Army in
1862, in Bienville Parish, LA; 28th Regiment, Louisiana Infantry
(Gray’s). He was captured and
released by Union forces. After the war, he married my great grandmother, Mary
Leggett. From ancestry research, I concluded they were first cousins. Such
marriages were not uncommon in those days.
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| Bessie Mae Leggett Horner & William Daniel Horner; 50th Anniversary photo |
The two had eleven children, my grandmother, Bessie Mae,
among them. Her folks moved to Van Zandt County, Texas, where she was born in
1882. Sadly, her father had mental issues. According to information I received
from a distant cousin, J.K.P. even threatened suicide. At some point, Mary or
someone else, had him committed to the North Texas
Hospital Terrell
State Hospital
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| Terrell State Hospital 1909 |
From
the Texas State Historical Association, I learned the first State Lunatic Asylum (now Austin State
Hospital San Antonio
Did
other western states open mental institutions in the 1800s? They sure did. In Gold Rush days, dangerous criminals and mentally ill
individuals were imprisoned on a ship called the Euphemia, docked offshore from
San Francisco
You can read the full story of the Euphemia here: http://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=The_Prison_Ship_'Euphemia'
Several other asylums opened in California Patton State
Hospital in San Bernardino
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|
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These are only a few examples proving that mental disease
was just as big a problem in the “good old days” as it is today. The major
difference lies in how the mentally ill were treated back then. They were often victims of neglect and
downright cruelty. Many of the “treatments” they were subjected to, including
lobotomies, electric shock and isolation in restraints, are consider brutally
inhumane today. But back then, such things were standard operating procedure.
Lyn Horner is the award-winning author of western historical and romantic suspense novels packed with high adventure, sizzling romance and flashes of paranormal powers.
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This idea gives me shivers. Being a life-long Texan, I've been aware of some of these hospitals, and don't you think State Hospital sounds much better than Lunatic Asylum?
ReplyDeleteSo sad, but I don't blame anyone. Way back then, what was one to do with some mentally insane? I'm sure it was torture for the families, no matter how good-hearted they were.
Any kind of physical or mental affliction is bad, but to be insane?....my heart aches for them. I do know one woman in town who is bipolar, and over the decades has spent several stints in the State Hospital in Austin. I feel so badly for her and her family.
But the odd thing that's hard to understand is that when asked about it or she's talking about it, she says, "I've never been unhappy. I don't feel badly about anything. I'm a very happy person. And truly, she doesn't remember or realize the horrible way she acts periodically. When not in the manic state, she is very religious--overly so, I think--and works hard to help anyone for any reason...sometimes sort of "driving everyone else crazy."
Well, I shouldn't talk like this but she'd never read this.
And if she did, I'd bet a nickel she wouldn't see herself.
Thanks for your thorough research...good job.
Thank you for sharing your feelings, Celia. It's a very upsetting subject. That poor woman in your town is jus tone of many who suffer with mental disorders. I feel for her.
ReplyDeleteLyn, some of the treatments would have driven a sane person insane, wouldn't they?
ReplyDeleteThey sure would, Caroline. When I was a youngster, my mom was in a mental hospital twice. She underwent shock "treatments". They ruined her memory but didn't do anything to cure her paranoia.
DeleteI believe there has been a stigma about the mentally ill that has gone on for decades and decades. It is unfortunate that mentally challenged and homeless children were also housed in asylums with mentally ill patients, some of whom were also dangerous. The existence of these people and children must have been miserable. I cannot even imagine having someone else control my life. It's more like a prison than a health institution. I see you put in a great deal of time to research for this article and I admire you for including some of your own family history.
ReplyDeleteIn present day, asylums and state hospitals are in the process of closing down. I believe the plan was to have these patients in a more friendly and normal environment disbursed throughout the communities, but naturally, the communities objected and things went off rail. Many mental patients are out in the streets and homeless now, including veterans with PTSD. I hope we come up with a better plan for these unfortunate people who suffer.
My sister is a psych nurse who worked many years in the North Carolina State Mental Hospital. She has told me many stories that are sad and some that are frightening about the patients and the conditions under which they lived in the hospitals, so I can certainly understand why the powers that be wanted to improve things. My sister has mental issues and my nephew's wife is bi-polar. Life can be difficult for them, and it isn't easy for those who love them either. I hope we come to better solutions than we had historically and at present. I feel confident one day we will.
This article was thought provoking and heavy in subject matter. We could use some good leadership and ideas to make things better.
I wish you all the best, Lyn. You did a great job with this article.
Thank you, Sarah. Mental illness is difficult issue to deal with. As mentioned above, my mom was clinically paranoid. She was constantly accusing my dad of stepping out on her - in terms I can't repeat here. She also thought that everyone was talking about her behind her back. Not only was she miserable, but she made life miserable for my dad and me. I'm sure you have experienced some rough times, too, with your sister and nephew. It's so sad to see someone we love suffer with such disorders.
DeleteLyn, a very good article about a serious subject that as you say, continues to be as much a problem as back then. Maybe patients are treated better now, although I sometimes wonder! I think most of us know either friends or family afflicted with some kind of mental illness and know how difficult it is for their loved ones to get the person the proper help he or she needs.
ReplyDelete