Burr, Rev. J. D. of Pella Slightly Insane 1894

BURR

Posted By: Ernie Braida
Date: 8/14/2011 at 20:27:28

A case of more than usual interest was before the commission of insanity last week – that of Rev. J. D. Burr, of Pella.

Rev. Burr has been pastor of the Baptist Church at Pella, but resigned about a year ago. Since that time it seems that he has manifested such strong symptoms of derangement that an information of insanity was filed against him last week.

Mr. Burr is a native of Louisiana and about 50 years of age. The present is his first attack. The first symptoms were manifested about a year ago, when he fell in the pulpit while preaching. Lately he has been at times quite profane and violent, has made threats against his wife and is said to have abused his family. Mr. and Mrs. Burr have five children, the youngest five years old.

Mr. Burr and his friends ascribe his derangement to nervous prostration from mental overwork. He has no particular hobby, unless his garrulity upon religion and loyalty could be considered as such. Upon these subjects he is very enthusiastic, and introduces them in a way that would indicate an unbalanced mind. No treatment has been employed except that he has been taking a patent medicine called "Celery Compound.”

He seems to be all right in some respects, but unbalanced and excitable, and the commission ordered lam sent to Mt. Pleasant. To this Mr. Burr readily agreed and will come over in about a week, he said, and place himself in the officers' hands. His wife seemed to think he could as well go at once, but Mr. Burr insisted that he bad affairs to arrange at Pella, and was allowed to return home.

Marion County Newspapers 1894