Barber County Kansas
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Barber County Kansas |
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U. Grant Rogers, of Elm Mills township, is in a very critical condition. He became insane on Monday the 21st, but the public did not learn of it until Saturday evening. Mr. Rogers lives ten miles north of Medicine Lodge on Spring Creek and has no close neighbors. A protracted meeting has been in progress at the Amber school house for more than a month and Mr. Rogers took a deep interest in the work. He had for several weeks talked rather strangely on religious matters but his friends dismissed it, knowing that he was an ardent Christian and at times when enthusiasm runs high in a community, many give way to their feelings.But on Monday, the 21st, he became raging. He imagined that God was having personal communication with him and he said he had been commanded to fast and have his family do likewise for six days. Accordingly he locked them up and forbid them to eat or drink. During the time he did many violent and shocking acts which are not proper to relate and his wife and children suffered more than it is possible to tell.
Mrs. Rogers was powerless to get the news of his condition to the public. He watched over the family and would not permit them to leave. It finally happened that Mr. Rogers' hogs had strayed over to Charley Hogard's, a neighbor, and he came over on Saturday night to inform Mr. Rogers about it when he discovered the condition of things and the neighborhood was soon aroused. The people gathered in and took charge of the patient and Sheriff Gano was sent for.
It was difficult to induce him to speak but finally the sheriff gained his confidence and he spoke freely. It is a very sad incident. His mind is a total wreck. His explanation of the Bible is ridiculous and the argument he uses to justify his actions shows that he must have pondered over these intricacies for a long time.
He fancied that faith and prayer would do everything even to feeding the stock, milking the cows, quieting the children and overcoming everything. Where it would have ended is only a matter of conjecture and it was very fortunate that the discovery was made as soon as it was. His father, Wm. Rogers, of Crystal Springs, and brother, Dr. E. D. Rogers, of Harper, arrived Sunday in answer to telephone, and the trial was held before Probate Judge Lacy on Monday.
Drs. Moore and Kociell composed the physicians commission and the papers were all drawn up and sent away Monday night. Sheriff Gano will take him to the asylum today.
During the last two days he grew very much worse and his recovery is very questionable.
The relatives, especially the wife and children, are entitled to all consideration and assistance that a community can bestow, and we are glad to note that the good citizens of that neighborhood are sparing nothing in comforting and caring for them.
Barber County Index, May 21, 1902. CORRECTION
Our Isabel correspondent stated a few weeks ago that an impression had gone out that Grant Rogers had been hypnotized and robbed a few weeks prior to his insanity. This seems to be a false report. Mrs. Rogers called at the Index office on Saturday and asked us to make correction. She says she does not desire such a report to be circulated.
Also see:
Elm Mills Township, Barber County, Kansas
G.A. Ogle Map. Courtesy of Kim Fowles.Trajedy Narrowly Averted: Albert Ireland Became Insane and Cut His Sister-in-law With a Razor. The Cutting not Fatal.
Barber County Index, September 9, 1903.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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