Mrs. Strand’s Insanity - 1892

STRAND, JOHNSON, SAXTON, BATCHELDER, WHEELER

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 6/10/2017 at 12:51:52

The Clinton Daily Age, Clinton, Iowa, April 5, 1892

AN INTERESTING CASE

Did Mrs. Strand’s Insanity Result
From a Blow to the Head?

A case of insanity of more than usual interest came before the insane commissioners yesterday.

Mrs. Christine Strand, who resided with her husband on a dairy farm about six miles northwest of the city, was before the commissioner of a charge of insanity, the information having been filed by her brother, R. J. Johnson, on Monday.

Mrs. Strand is forty years of age and of small stance, was first placed on the stand in her own behalf. She told her story in a straight forward and quite rational manner. She stated that two weeks ago her husband, while greatly enraged, struck her over the head with a wagon spoke, knocking her senseless.

In corroboration of this story Mrs. Strand’s brother, K. J. Johnson, stated that his sister had come to the place where he was employed, some distance away, covered with blood and exhibiting a scalp wound on the left side of her head. Mrs. Strand informed her brother that her husband had struck her with a wagon spoke.

Since that day the brother has noticed that his sister has shown signs of mental aberration; while she appeared quite rational at times there were intervals when she showed a weakened condition of the mind, and upon the advice of friends he thought it advisable to let the commissioners inquire into the case.

Mrs. Strand stated that she has received kicks, cuffs and other inhumane treatment from her husband for the past eight or nine years, and was afraid at times he would murder her.

Mr. Strand, the husband, was placed on the stand and questioned by Commissioners Wheeler and Batchelder in regard to his treatment of his wife. The husband of the unfortunate woman denied all the allegations that had been made against him; said that his relation with his wife had been peaceful and that they had dwelt together in harmony; denied emphatically that he had struck her with a wagon wheel spoke, and stated that he did not know how his wife had received the wound on her head. Mr. Strand became somewhat tangled up in giving his testimony and especially so when Commissioner Batchelder inquired about the divorce proceedings which Mrs. Strand threatened to begin several years ago on account of ill treatment.

While Mr. Strand was giving his testimony his wife became greatly agitated, and walking up in front of the witness exclaimed; “You are a liar – you know you are!” She accompanied her brothers from the room, and as soon as the witness was excused he took a hasty departure.

The Commissioner ordered Mrs. Strand and her two brothers to go before the grand jury and make a statement in regard to the injuries found upon Mrs. Strand’s head and body, and the matter will receive a thorough investigation.

Deputy Sheriff Saxton, in his statement before the commissioners. Stated that some of the neighbors in the vicinity of Strand’s farm had informed that quarrels were a frequent occurrence in Strand’s home.

Mrs. Strand will be taken to Independence for treatment.