Richland Parish, La., Loose Succession Records File #55 In the Matter of the Insanity of W. T. Choat Judgment-June 18th, 1915 Submitted for the USGenWeb Archives by Shawn Martin,06/17/2004 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** State of La. vs. Wm. T. Choat Affidavit of Dr. H. F. Wilkins Filed July 23rd 1908 G. F. Purvis, Clerk 7th District Court      To the Hon. Judge of the Seventh District Court, holding sessions in and for the Parish of Richland, State of Louisiana.      The petition of Dr. H. F. Wilkins a resident of the aforesaid Parish and State, with respect shows that William Thomas Choate also a resident of Richland Parish, State of Louisiana is insane and should be sent to and confined in the Insane Asylum of the State.      Wherefore he asks that he be brought before the Court for examination and that he be ordered conveyed to the Insane Asylum of the State. H. F. Wilkins, M.D. Sworn to and subscribed, before me this the 18th day of July, 1908. Jno. R. McIntosh Judge 7th, Judicial District      The foregoing petition and affidavit considered it is ordered that William Thomas Choate be brought before me for examination touching his sanity.      Done and signed in Chambers, this the 18th day of July, 1908. Jno. R. McIntosh State of La. vs. Wm. T. Choate Petition and affidavit for commitment Filed July 23rd 1908 G. F. Purvis, Clerk 7th Dist. Court State of Louisiana Clerk's Office Parish of Richland Seventh District Court      Personally came and appeared before me the undersigned authority, Dr. H. F. Wilkins, who being first duly sworn, says that he is a practicing physician, and is also Coroner of this Parish, and that he has this day, examined William Thomas Choate, as to his sanity, and after making a thorough examination, which has extended over a period of six days, he is convinced that the said Choate is unsound in mind, and that he is gradually getting worse, and that he should be interdicted and confined in the Insane Asylum of the State, as he is dangerous to be at large, he is getting unruly, and hard to manage. H. F. Wilkins, M.D. Sworn to and subscribed before me, this the 18th day of July 1908. G. F. Purvis Clerk, 7th Dist. Court. State of Louisiana Parish of Richland Seventh District court      Having examined William Thomas Choate, touching his sanity, and having caused him to be examined by Dr. H. F. Wilkins, and having taken his evidence as to his mental condition, and being satisfied that he is of unsound mind, and that he should be placed in the State Asylum.      It is therefore ordered that the Sheriff of Richland parish convey said William Thomas Choate to the Louisiana Hospital for Insane, and that he be confined therein, and this shall be his warrant for so doing.      Done and signed at Chambers, this the 19th day of July, A.D. 1908. Jno. R. McIntosh Judge Seventh District Court In the matter of the Insanity of W. T. Choat State of Louisiana Parish of Richland Seventh Dist. Court      The petition of J. C. Sartor, a resident of the Parish of Richland, Louisiana, respectfully represents:      FIRST:  That he is a Physician and also Coroner of the Parish of Richland, Louisiana.      SECOND:  That on the 19th day of July 1908, William Thomas Choat was adjudged of unsound mind and ordered conveyed to the Louisiana Hospital of Insane by this Honorable Court.      THIRD:  That the said W. T. Choat has not been confined in said Hospital during the past three years or more, having resided in the Parish of Richland for the greater portion of that time.      FOURTH:  That he has examined the said Choat and finds that he is of sound mind, having recovered from any disability he might have had, and is now fully capable of attending to both his person and property.      FIFTH: that the said Choat should be relieved from any disability resulting from the former order of this Court, and declared to be of sound mind and capable of administering his own affairs.      SIXTH:  That he attaches hereto statements showing soundness of mind, and suggests that the said Choat be also examined by this Honorable Court.      WHEREFORE petitioner prays that, after examining the said William Thomas Choat he be declared of sound mind, capable of managing his own affairs, and relieved of any disability resulting from the former order of this Court. Jas. C. Sartor, M.D. Coroner, Parish of Richland      PERSONALLY appeared J. C. Sartor, who, being duly sworn deposes and says:  That he is Coroner of Richland Parish, Louisiana, and that all of the allegations of the foregoing petition are true and correct.  Sworn to and subscribed before me on this the 18th day of June, 1915 Jas. C. Sartor, M.D. F. A. Miles, Dty. Clerk Seventh Dist. Court In the Matter of the Insanity of w. T. Choat State of Louisiana Parish of Richland Seventh Dist. Court      Having examined William Thomas Choat touching his insanity, having caused him to be examined by J. C. Sartor, Coroner, and other physicians, and having being satisfied that he is of sound mind and fully capable of managing his own affairs:      It is ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED:  That the said William Thomas Choat is of sound mind, and fully capable of taking care of his person and administering his affairs, and in every way free from any mental disease.      It is further ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED:  That the said W. T. Choat be free from any disabilities that may have resulted from this order of this Court signed July 19, 1908 declaring him to be of unsound mind.      Done, read and signed at Chambers on this the 18 day of June 1915. Jno. R. McIntosh Judge Seventh Dist. Court #55 In matter of Interdiction of Wm. T. Choat Certificate of Physicians June 18th, 1915 June 17, 1915 To Hon. Jno. R. McIntosh Judge Seventh Judicial District Court of Louisiana For Richland Parish Floyd, Louisiana      The undersigned, with respect, represents to your Honor, that W. Thomas Choat, of the Fifth Ward of your parish, who was interdicted in 1908, and sent to the Hospital for the Insane at Pineville, Louisiana, and who escaped from that institution in 1911 has since his escape, and return to his home in the fifth Ward of your parish, been transacting his own business, and has been living in the ordinary way that a sane person would live, and with respect, we further represent to your Honor, that we have made such a careful examination of the said W. Thomas Choat as it was possible to make, and that this examination has been painstaking, and thorough, and we are satisfied that he is capable of attending to his own affairs, and is, in fact at this time, a sane person.      With further respect, we beg that your honor will grant such [unreadable] will give the said W. Thomas Choat the right to conduct his own affairs in view of the foregoing. Respectfully, C. E. McConnell, M.D. F. C. Sheppard, M.D. W. D. Whiles, M. D.