VanCLEAVE, Thomas
THOMAS VanCLEAVE - insanity inquest
Source: Waveland Independent newspaper, Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana, Thursday, June 20, 1907
Thomas VanCleave, a farmer, who lives with his father, John VanCleave became insane on Sunday morning. His delusion took the form of fear that someone was going to hurt him. He went to the barn to turn out some horses. His father noticed something peculiar about his actions and followed him. The boy went on through the barn when his father called to him that he wanted to talk with him, but was told that he was close enough. He continued backing away, keeping about 20' away from his father and finally broke into a run. The neighborhood was alarmed and finally he was cornered at New Market, where he gave up without resistance, saying that there was no use, the soldiers were after him. An inquest of lunacy was held here on Monday by Squire McCampbell and Drs. Charles Walden and Ed VanCleave, of New Market. It was decided that his mind was unsound and an application has been made for admission to the Central Hospital at Indianapolis. In the meantime, he is detained in the county jail. On most subjects he is perfectly sane. The tendency to unnatural fear has been noticed for the past two years. Some years ago he had a brother killed by being kicked by a horse. He was very much attached to the brother and his death made a deep impression on his mind. For a long time he declared that he could see him. The case is a very sad one for the family. == kbz