Wednesday, October 15, 2008

JAMES W TOWNS - Pages 18-19 Lyon County KY Lunatic Inquest Book

Page 18

State of Kentucky ] SCT State of Ky, Lyon Co
Lyon County Court March 22, 1890
COMMONWEALTH
vs
James W Towns ] Lunatic

This dayW W Martin, Attorney protem for Lyon, filed an information as follows, to-wit:

To Hon. T J Watkins, Judge of the Lyon County Court:
I am reliably informed that James W Towns is a person of unsound mind, and a lunatic and therefore ask that a jury be impaneled to pass upon the subject.

W W Martin Atty Pro Tem L.C.
Ordered by the Court, That J C Riley Esq, an Attorney of this Court, be and he is hereby appointed to defend for and on behalf of the person under trial. Jas. W. Towns

To inquire, etc., comes a jury to-wit: C W Davis, W L Gresham, Jas Hawley, John Terrell, S S West, J T Moneymaker, Thos Jenkins, H C Pearce, W C Terrell, J S Holt, W C Faulkner and M Malloy

who being duly impaneled and sworn according to law, after hearing the evidence, returned the following verdict, viz: We of the jury find from the evidence that Jas W Towns is a person of unsound mind and a lunatic; that the unsoundness of mind orignates from unknown cause that he was born in Ky, and resides in Lyon Co Ky and is 48 years old; that he was not brought into this State for the purpose of becoming a charge upon the Commonwealth; that he owns a small piece of land, too poor to make a lviing on. No other estate of any kind; that his father is dead and mother dead and he has no estate except the little piece of land and a few cheap household articles sufficient to support the person under trial; and said Jas W Towns is not capable of laboring either in whole or in part for his support.

[signatures of jurors listed above with foreman listed]

wherefore it is adjudged by the Court that said Jas W Towns is of unsound mind and a lunatic and that he be immediately conveyed to the asylum at Hopkinsville Kentucky, and G W Williamson is appointed to convey him/her to said asylum and he is allowed one guard.

Attest: T J Watkins Judge Lyon County Court

Page 19

Brief History of Case

1.(a) Age - 48 years
(b) Occupation - farmer
(c) Married or Single - married
(d) Habits - sober habits
(e) Educated - limited
2.(a) What relations have been insane - none
3.(a) Date of first attack - about five yrs ago in slight degree
(b) How exhibited - periodical. sometimes insane then for a time lucid
(c) Has it changed in character at any any former period - Periods of insanity more frequent and more violent
4.(a) Supposed cause - unknown
(b) Any peculiar illusions and what - He imagines his family and friends are trying to poison & kill him. Want to get rid of him.
(c) Subject to fits. No How long -
From what cause -
(d) Natural Temper - Even tempered man when sober
5.(a) Attempt at suicide - Threatens suicide
(b) Violence toward others - Has attempted to do injury to his wife & children. has struck 1 time
6.Periodic frenzy - yes
7.(a) Restraint imposed - Have had to use forcible restraint to prevent violence to himself & others
(b) Treatment used - unknown. Refuses to take medicines
(c) Bleeding - none
8. Injury about head - none
9. T J Watkins Judge LCC

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