This Week's Story
click here to play audioBetrayal and trickery result in Elizabeth Packard's legal kidnapping to a mental asylum in 1860.
This Week’s Story relives American history and the Bible through brief inspiring stories presented on mp3 audio recordings and text for reading.
I shall put you into the asylum! part two
As Elizabeth was removed from her home, her husband informed her, “You are being taken by train to Jacksonville Insane Asylum.”
“That is not legal. I have had no trial.”
“Wife, that is not necessary according to our Illinois State laws of 1860.”
“Theophilus, we have state law that asserts that commitment into a mental asylum cannot occur, unless there has been a trial by a six-man jury.”
“Elizabeth, the law does not apply to married women. A married woman can be admitted by request of her husband. Also, the Medical Superintendent of the asylum must agree that you are insane. He has agreed, based on the application I submitted.”
Elizabeth said nothing. Trying to convince her husband of the unfairness of the law or his unreasonable treatment of her was foolishness. Reasoning with the four men with her husband would be
further stupidity. They assumed her husband and the law were her protectors.
The train station was packed with people inside and outside. Elizabeth’s son Isaac, almost sixteen, had contacted townspeople about his father’s plan to have Elizabeth removed from her home. Several people had promised to help. Could they prevent Elizabeth from getting on the train?
Elizabeth looked at the men with her husband. Three were members of his church. He was their minister. One man was a church deacon. Two were medical doctors. Before taking her from her home, the doctors had checked her pulse, but proceeded with no further examination. She did not know the identity of the fourth man.
Theophilus asked, “Step out of the wagon and go to the waiting room. Do not force us to lift you out before the crowd.”
“No! I will not help myself to an asylum. You are putting me there.”
She was carried to the waiting room, and made no further protest, lest she appear unable to control herself. From a window she saw that the faces of the many people in the crowd were obviously upset.
“Elizabeth, when the train arrives, walk with me to the train.”
“No, Theophilus, this is your chosen work.” Her voice was calm. “That would be peace based on injustice.”
The whistle of the train was heard and Elizabeth was carried to the train. She waited for people to step forward and rescue her. No one stepped forward in her defense. She heard whispers of encouragement.
She did not know until later that the unidentified man with her husband was Sheriff Burgess from Kankakee, a nearby town. She learned that the deacon had told the crowd that the sheriff had a formal warrant for her committal to the asylum. Anyone who attempted to stop the legal process could be arrested.
One of Elizabeth’s friends shouted, “Is there no man among you? If I were a man, I would seize hold upon her!”
Elizabeth was placed inside the train, and removed from her home, friends, and loved children. Theophilus, junior, eighteen years old was living in another state. Isaac was on an errand for his employer. Her other four children were deliberately diverted away from the train station.
In part three Elizabeth is surprised, challenged, and determined to be released from her strange imprisonment.
Join us next week for part three at thisweeksstory.com
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