Westence Goes to the Asylum - 1895

WESTENSE

Posted By: Lynette Edsall (email)
Date: 7/9/2006 at 20:16:15

Cherokee Democrat, April 10, 1895

GOES TO THE ASYLUM

A Prominent Diamond Township Farmer Goes Insane.

Henry W. Westense of Diamond township was brought to the city Monday morning and adjudged insane by the commission. He was taken to the asylum at Independence on the 11 o’clock train by Sheriff Unger.

Westense is a well-to-do German farmer about 50 years old. About two weeks ago he first showed signs of being demented. He was a prominent member of the Lutheran church, and on Sunday, when quarterly meeting services were being held he went about shaking hands with all his neighbors and asked all to forgive him if he had ever harmed them in any way. His wife became alarmed at his afflictions at that time and he was afterwards carefully watched. He gradually grew worse until at times two or three men were required to guard him. Most of the time he was quiet, but it was through necessary to send him to the asylum. There had not been any revival at the church, but his dementia is presumed to be the result of religious fervor. It is hoped he will recover after a short stay at the asylum.