DeSoto County Florida, Lunacy Book 1, June 12, 1899 thru Sept 23, 1907 File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Phyllis Borden & Janine Rickner, srickner@peganet.com USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. This file may not be removed from this server or altered in any way for placement on another server without the consent of the State and USGenWeb Project coordinators and the contributor. *********************************************************************** This file contains the first fifty pages of the oldest Lunacy Book at the courthouse. The information given consists of the patients name, date of petition, names of the petitioners including at least one blood relative, committee of doctors assigned to evaluate the patient, committees findings including probable cause and hallucinations, judges ruling and date, and the name of the judge. If the patient was declared insane, they were sent to the State Asylum in Chattahoochee, FL We found this book to be very interesting. The ailments that some of these people suffered with can be recognized today as not being very serious. It is clear how far our society and science has been educated in the last 100 years. Below is an index to the patients names. * Page 1 - Lanier, Martha Mrs. * Page 2 - Blackburn, Ella * Page 3 - Blair, Wilsie * Page 4 - Houge, J. A. * Page 5 - Polk, Henry * Page 6 - Tinnerman, Henry L. * Page 7 - Tinnerman, Henry L. * Page 8 - Galley, William D. Rev. * Page 9 - Morgan, Mary * Page 10 - Loper, Jack * Page 11 - McGehee, Dora R. * Page 12 - Bowens, Charles * Page 13 - Love, William H. * Page 14 - Mix, Lawrence W. * Page 15 - Watson, John W. * Page 16 - Hampton, Hunter * Page 17 - Mathis, John * Page 18 - Lewis, Marion G. * Page 19 - Baxter, Elizabeth * Page 20 - Midgett, Maude * Page 21 - O'Neil, J. M. * Page 22 - Silcox, W. O. * Page 23 - Simon, Celelia * Page 24 - Griffin, Benjamin * Page 25 - O'Neil, J. M. * Page 26 - Vining, Georgia * Page 27 - Cason, Elizabeth * Page 28 - Cassidy, Beulah E. * Page 29 - Collins, D. B. * Page 30 - Powell, Florence * Page 31 - Skipper, John L. Jr. * Page 32 - Caughman, Eliza * Page 33 - Veevers, Robert * Page 34 - Veevers, Robert * Page 35 - Parsons, Will * Page 36 - Hutchinson, Raymond * Page 37 - Jackson, Rhoda * Page 38 - Lancaster, Nellie * Page 39 - Nicholson, Joe * Page 40 - Holmes, Jane * Page 41 - Keene, Mary Mrs. * Page 42 - Lovett, Sidney * Page 43 - Couphman, Eliza Mrs. * Page 44 - Vining, Georgia * Page 45 - Arrington, Catherine * Page 46 - Maulden, William I. * Page 47 - Morgan, Mary * Page 48 - Lanier, E. Mrs. * Page 49 - Boole, Sam * Page 50 - Frazelle, Charles The following information was transcribed from the original documents on 18 June 1998 by Janine Rickner & Phyllis Borden Page # Patient/Age Petitioners/Witnesses Committee/Doctors Apparent Cause Hallucinations Ruling/Date County Judge /Date Committed Page 1 Lanier, Martha Mrs. Durrance, J. L. Wright, G. E. Menaphause or Change of life/ None Acute Insanity Pooser, A. E. 12 June Hart, Wm H. Kinney, D. D. Congriation of the brain Committed on 16 1899 Hollingsworth, W. H. Skipper, David H. June 1899 Smith, J. W. Skipper, W. O. Skipper, Stephen Page 2 Blackburn, Ella Blackburn, Benj. L. Matthews, J. C. Malarial/Menostasis She refuses to talk Acute Insanity Pooser, A. E. 11 July age 20 years Jernigan, W. M. Hayman, W. C. Committed 11 1899 Waterson, William Richardson, L. M. July 1899 Mahon, W. R. Ware, H. A. Page 3 Blair, Wilsie Carlton, Claude L. Smith, C. H. Grief and Religous None Acute Insanity Pooser, A. E. 21 Nov Jones, J. L. Thomas, E. A. excitment/Abused and Ill treated Committed 21 Nov 1899 Carlton, H. E. Mahon, W. L. 1899 Chollar, C. C. King, Z. Page 4 Hogue, J. A. Bunch, J. B. Macfie, James Dementia/Failing health and His being stabbed and the Permanent Pooser, A. E. 07 Dec Age 49 years Mills, R. A. Sharp, W. H. abuse of drugs killing of the party robbing Insanity 1899 Pearce, P. S. Lawton, G. J. him and sleeplessness Committed 07 Dec Greene, Eugene 1899 Phelon, James Page 5 Polk, Henry Whidden, O. F. Macfie, James Demintia/Fidgit and nervous Enemies are lying in what for Demintia Pooser, A. E. 02 Jan Age 30 years Johnson, C. M. Lawton, T. J. debility his life Insanity 1900 Keen, N. H. Committed 02 Jan Lackleor, J. E. 1900 Wild, H. E. Page 6 Tinnerman, Henry L. King, Z. Green, Ed Poresis/Mental Resbitude This page was struck 08 Jan Age 47 years Williams, M. L. Sauls, N. M. out from the book 1900 King, T. B. Green, W. H. Waldron, F. M. Chollor, C. C. Page 7 Tinnerman, Henry L. Powell, Ira J. Myers, G. J. Brain trouble caused by long Imagining all kinds of things Permanent Pooser, A. E. 18 Jan Age 35 years King, F. W. Windham, J. R. protracted bad general health and wild talk and action Insanity 1900 Mills, M. G. Crawford, H. L. Committed 19 Jan Buchanan, F. T. 1900 Tinnerman, Wm Page 8 Galley, Wm D. Rev. Cowart, H. L. Myers, T. J. Long strain on the nervous Physical condition and wild Permanent Pooser, A. E. 18 Jan Altman, P. C. Buchanan, F. T. system and high nervous imagination Insanity 1900 Peeples, W. H. Knight, Oscar excitment Committed 19 Jan Roberts, S. E. 1900 Moore, R. D. Page 9 Morgan, Mary Stetson, W. S. Samuel, J. M. Veterine affection Fear of others Chronic Pooser, A. E. 03 Nov Age 35 years Hardee, W. B. McLane, Geo. W. Insanity 1900 Colored Johns, J. P. Blochsome, L. T. Committed 07 Nov Newsome, Jas. A. 1900 Lewis, J. E. - brother Page 10 Loper, Jack Bowman, J. H. Samuel, J. M. Indecency and wanting to be Obscure Chronic Pooser, A. E. 24 Dec Age 40 years Newsome, Jas. A. McLane, Geo. W. going about Insanity 1900 Cox, J. B. Freeman, A.C. Committed 27 Dec Davis, C. E. 1900 Bassett, B. Johnson, W. H. Page 11 McGehee, Dora R. Kinsey, J. H. Matthews, J. C. Female disorder Cruelty to her children Chronic Pooser, A. E. 05 Feb Age 40 years Morquos, F. Hollingsworth, J. N. Insanity 1900 McQuady, E. H. Bates, T. L. Committed 04 Feb Carlton, Elam B. 1901 Platt, N. C. Page 12 Bowens, Charles Smith, F. A. Mathis, J. M. Low wines from turpintine still This page was struck 22 May Age 40 years Russell, R. R. Lawton, T. J. and physically very bad out from the book 1901 Brown, F. T. Gaskin, T. condition Crews, W. B. Crews, M. B. Page 13 Love, Wm. H. Fielder, F. E. Greene, Ed Living a lonely life Someone is haunting him and Chronic Pooser, A. E. 31 May Age 83 years Pepper, Thos. J. Lawton, T. J. tormenting him at all hours Insanity 1901 (draws $12.00 pension Waldron, Frank Swan, D. T. Committed 01 from US Government) Bateman, W. W. June 1901 Harward, T. W. Page 14 Mix, Lawrence W. Richardson, E. L. Macfie, James Monomania Jealousy that his wife is Monomania Pooser, A. E. 02 Sept Age 58 years West, B. F. Richardson, E. L. habitually untrue to him Insanity 1901 Townsend, S. J. Bennett, Aaron Committed 17 Bell, Joseph Sept 1901 Daughtrey, Wm. F. Page 15 Watson, John W. Robertson, W. E. Smith, K. H. Religion Religion Acute Insanity Pooser, A. E. 01 Nov Age abt. 32 years Hampton, J. A. Simmons, S. J. Committed 01 Nov 1901 Smith, E. F. Thompson, J. D. 1901 Douglas, D. C. Richards, P. F. Page 16 Hunter, Hampton Hunter, Addie Sameul, J. M. Obscure Violence Chronic Pooser, A. E. 10 Dec Age 57 years Coleman, A. B. McLane, Geo. W. Insanity 1901 Wright, Chas. Earnest, Ed M. Committed 13 Dec Dwight, David 1901 Cassedy, Henry Page 17 Mathis, John Smith, C. H. Smith, Luby L. Religion Thinks he is sent by God to Melancholia Pooser, A. E. 07 July Age 35 years Jones, J. L. Kreider, J. E. kill any and everything Insanity 1902 Colored Shelfer, A. S. Gaskins, Thomas Parker, Geo. R. McDowell, W. L. Page 18 Lewis, Marion G. Earnest, R. L. Samuel, J. M. Obscure To seclude himself from others Acute Insanity Pooser, A. E. 29 Jan Age 30 years Earnest, Ed. M. McLane, Geo. W. and hide his face by keeping Committed 30 Jan 1902 Lewis, B. (his mark) Rowe, A. handkerchif over his eyes 1902 Newsome, Jas. A. Rickman, M. J. Page 19 Baxter, Elizabeth McLane, Geo W. Samuel, J. M. Obscure Fear ecspecially at night Chronic Pooser, A. E. 31 July Age 85 years Wakefield, N. N. Stephenson, G. B. Insanity 1902 Guthrie, A. B. McLane, Geo W. Committed 31 Earnest, R. L. July 1902 Oliver, L. Page 20 Midgett, Maude McLane, Geo W. Samuel, J. M. Obscure To wander away Chronic Pooser, A. E. 31 July Age 9 years Midgett, Charles E. Earnest, R. L. Insanity 1902 Blockstone, L. F. McLane, Geo W. Committed 31 Goff, J. S. July 1902 Goff, J. L. Page 21 O'Neil, J. M. Bassitt, B. Smith, R. H. Mental Aberation Some disorder of the brain Mental Aberation Cochran, J. B. 27 Feb Age 31 years Mason, Bishop Smith, C. H. Insanity 1905 McQueen, J. H. Sweoringin, J. J. Committed 27 Feb Challor, C. C. 1905 Houston, E. A. Burkhort, Jacob Page 22 Silcox, W. O. Coleman, A. B. Vincent, G. M. Excessive drinking and mental Constant fear of bodily injury Temporary Cochran, J. B. 24 Mar Silcox, H. O. McGreen, D. S. strain and worring from imaginary persons Insanity 1905 Walker, A. W. Blockson, R. T Ruled Not Jones, Wm. Insane on Underhill, J. M. 28 Mar 1905 Page 23 Simon, Celelia Houston, S. D. Rev. McSwain None None Not Insane Cochran, J. B. 23 May Coleman, A. B. Smith, Kirby 26 May 1905 1905 Ingraham, D. Myer, J. J. Walker, H. W. Lockwood, W. H. Page 24 Griffin, Benjamin Davenport, Wm. S. Green, Ed Malnutrition and Exposure None Dementia Cochran, J. B. 26 May Age 68 years Jones, J. L. Smith, Kirby Insanity 1905 Hayman, Carl Campbell, R. B. Committed 26 May Hendry, J. H. 1905 Donaldson, M. Page 25 O'Neil, J. M. Powell, Sam McSwain, D. L. Lifhemia ~ Disease - Cystitis ~ 10 June 1905 Cochran, J. B. 09 June Age abt 45 years Best, J. E. Smith, C. H. 1905 Mortin, H. N. L. Carlton, W. W. Daniels, Chas. W. Howkins, Sam Page 26 Vining, Georgia McLane, Geo W. McOwen, D. N. Unknown Nothing particular Permanent Cochran, J. B. 17 June Earnest, R. L. Vincent, G. M. Insanity 1905 Allen, L. Jr. Blount, F. R. Committed 20 June McLane, C. A. 1905 Elliot, J. R. Page 27 Cason, Elizabeth Huffman, S. I. McQueen, D. A. Unknown to us Fear of poison administered Permanent Cochran, J. B. 20 Sept Age abt 42 years Wade, B. M. Vincent, G. M. by others Insanity 1905 Earnest, R. L. Cooper, F. M. Committed 22 Sept Saudlin, J. R. 1905 White, E. A. Page 28 Cassidy, Beulah E. Hardee, E. J. Beeson, J. M. Despondency over her present The dread of the house burning and Evident Insainty Cochran, J. B. 21 Sept Cassidy, W. C. Gomer, J. E. condition also of the Judgement Committed 22 Sept 1905 Edwards, J. M. Payne, W. W. 1905 Wilson, Joseph Rooney, F. B. Page 29 Collins, D. B. Seword, W. H. Smith, C. H. Alcoholic drinking None Committed 19 Oct Cochran, J. B. 19 Oct Wild, H. E. Cline, R. L. 1905 1905 Alderman, F. M. Hull, W. A. Carlton, S. J. Armstrong, R. B. Page 30 Powell, Florence Bean, B. M. Smith, C. H. Transmitted which we believe A sympathy for others Temporary Cochran, J. B. 12 Oct Age 7 years Allen, G. M. Cline, R. L. yeild to proper care and Insanity 1905 Bean, B. M. Mrs. Campbell, E. T. medical treatment for nervous Committed 23 Oct Cline, R. L. disease 1905 Jones, J. L. Page 31 Skipper, John L. Jr. Collins, W. P. Wright, G. E. General disability and Despondant, ressless, sleeplessness Complete Insanity Cochran, J. B. 19 Feb Age abt 35 or 40 years Collins, G. R. Mobley, J. B. nervousness and threating life of family Committed 19 Feb 1906 Simmons, Z. H. Cousey, J. H. 1906 Robinson, I. D. Lamb, W. T. Booth, B. S. Page 32 Caughman, Eliza Sparkman, R. C. McQueen, D. N. Extreme old age Looking after cattle (?) Permanent Cochran, J. B. 24 Feb Williams, Andrew Vincent, G. M. Not violent but requires some Insanity 1906 Whidden, Noah Williams, M. V. restraint to keep her from running 03 Mar 1906 Hicks, J. L. from home and being injured Putman, E. M. Page 33 Veevers, Robert Southerland, J. D. Wright, G. E. Religious Mania That he must confess some great Was stricken 08 Mar Wilson, Joseph Beeson, J. M. crime to please God and hence the from the book 1906 Koyton, W. H. Bailey, W. J. confession to the killing and burning Cason, G. L. burning of the Kirby family Hinson, C. E. Page 34 Veevers, Robert Southerland, J. D. Wright, G. E. Religous Mania / Living alone That he must confess some great crime Religous Mania Cochran, J. B. 08 Mar Wilson, Joseph Beeson, J. M. without any associates crime to please God, hence his Committed 12 Mar 1906 Koyton, W. H. Baily, W. J. Confession to the killing and burning 1906 Cason, G. L. of the Kirby family Hinson, C. E. Page 35 Parsons, Will Sauls, J. T. Cline, R. L. None Very indifferent to every being General Pocecir Cochran, J. B. 18 Apr Age 35 years Nemor, J. Green, Ed Insanity 1906 Davis, A. D. Stonebroker, J. F. Committed 21 Apr Duse, John 1906 Register, S. M. Page 36 Hutchinson, Raymond Watkins, T. J. McSwain, L. M. Unknown None Idiocy Cochran, J. B. 05 June Watkins, R. E. Cline, R. L. Committed 06 June 1906 Johnson, C. W. Meyer, J. J. 1906 Smith, W. M. Rhyne, M. A. Page 37 Jackson, Rhoda Wade, B. M. Smith, Kirby Unknown Fear of being hoodover Permanent Cochran, J. B. 05 June Perkins, G. D. McQueen, D. A. (?) Insanity 1906 Capo, John H. Blount, R. C. Committed 19 June Davis, C. G. 1906 Singletary, R. B. Page 38 Lancaster, Nellie McLane, Geo W. Smith, Kirby Unknown Fear of injury from others Permanent Cochran, J. B. 02 June Martin, M. J. McQueen, D. A. Insanity 1906 Ivey, J. A. Blount, R. C. Committed 19 June Singletary, R. B. 1906 Godwin, G. R. Page 39 Nicholson, Joe Jones, J. L. McSwain, D. L. Unknown Reforming Acute Insanity Cochran, J. B. 05 July Bryan, L. G. Cline, R. L. Committed 05 July 1906 Meyer, J. J. Stonebroker, J. F. 1906 Williford, O. B. Ralls, F. C. Page 40 Holmes, Jane Herndon, N. C. Wright, G. E. Senile decline Seeing visions and Religous Mania Complete Insanity Cochran, J. B. 14 July Age 70 years Cochran, T. J. Beeson, J. M. Committed 16 July 1906 Osteen, J. A. Southerland, W. A. 1906 Prevatt, J. P. Prevatt, J. M. Jarvis, H. E. Page 41 Keene, Mary Mrs. Sauls, P. D. Myers, T. J. A protracted illness and break Seeing strange sights and Permanent Cochran, J. B. 25 July Age abt 50 years Hopson, Robt. L. Hort, W. S. down of the nervous system wanting to do deeds of violence to Insanity 1906 Bryan, F. L. Storke, T. R. the members of her family Committed 27 July Jones, M. C. 1906 Albritton, Hosia Page 42 Lovett, Sidney Carlton, C. L. McSwain, L. M. Excitement Being tortured Acute Mania Cochran, J. B. 24 July Age abt 28 years Webb, O. E. Cline, R. L. Committed 27 July 1906 Bryan, L. Y. Chollor, C. C. 1906 Davenport, Wm. S. Craig, J. W. Page 43 Cauphman, Eliza Mrs. Williams, A. J. McSwain, D. L. Old age Wandering away from home under the Parisen Insanity Cochran, J. B. 17 Aug Age 80 years Windham, R. S. Green, Ed impression she is going home Committed 30 Aug 1906 Hayman, W. C. Carlton, D. T. 1906 Whidden, Noah Duval, W. A. Ross, O. S. Page 44 Vining, Georgia Campbell, R. B. Green, Ed Family troubles Afraid of being poisoned and burning Chronic Dementia Brown, R. E. 22 Jan Tippins, Ed Smith, Kirby H. up household goods Committed 22 Jan 1907 Watkins, T. B. Haward, P. W. Sr. 1907 Carlton, C. C. Shelfer, J. O. Page 45 Arrington, Catherine Griffin, J. L. McSwain, D. L. Jealousy Quarrelsome and telling falsehoods Dementia Brown, R. E. 15 Mar Strand, J. B. Cline, R. L. about husband and other woman Committed 25 Mar 1907 Dawson, G. W. MD Harward, P. W. Sr. 1907 Cowart, W. G. Griffin, T. F. Page 46 Maulden, William I. Pooser, E. W. Smith, Kirby Study of hyponotism Hypnatism and clairvoyance Mental Abstration Brown, R. E. 28 Mar Age 38 years Robertson, W. E. Green, Ed Committed, 28 Mar 1907 Semple, S. R. Campbell, R. B. 1907 Whidden, H. M. Williford, A. B. Page 47 Morgan, Mary Jordan, V. J. McSwain, D. L. Declared Not Brown, R. E. 04 Mar Age 35 years Perkins, T. D. Cline, R. L. Insane 1907 Capo, John H. Harward, T. H. 04 Mar 1907 Go----, J. L. (?) McGehee, A. M. Page 48 Lanier, E. Mrs. Lanier, E. Vaughan, D. H. No apparent reason Poison in water, tunneling under Acute Insanity Brown, R. E. 24 Apr Age abt 30 years Sauls, N. W. Gill, M. R. house, flash lights, sparks falling Committed 27 Apr 1907 Bryan, N. M. Minor, W. R. about the house at night 1907 Vaughan, D. H. Gill, M. R. Page 49 Boole, Sam Gilchrist, Albert W. Woods, G. W. Meloncholia That he is the victim of some Acute Insanity Brown, R. E. 17 May Denbam, C. M. McQueen, D. M. terriable calamity or fate Committed 20 June 1907 Earnest, R. S. McLane, Geo W. 1907 Watitzky, E. Cooper, D. M. Page 50 Frazelle, Chas. Bryan, G. E. Smith, Kirby Unknown Fear of being injured by someone Temporary Brown, R. E. 23 Sept Age 38 years Wachob, B. A. McQueen, D. M. Insanity 1907 Watitzky, E. McLane, George W. Committed 24 Sept Whitaker, W. S. 1907 Simmonds, Charles