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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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The Indianapolis Leader
January 7, 1882

                       
                       MISTAKEN FOR A MANIAC
                       
                  A Sane Man Overpowered and Taken
                     to the Asylum as a Lunatic
                     
                 Rather a bungling mistake was made
               Thursday by which a sane man was taken to
               the Insane Asylum instead of the right man.
               Last Friday a man named WILLIAM GABB, whose
               home is at No. 100 South East street, was
               declared of unsound mind, and papers for
               his admission to the Hospital for such
               people were made out and filed. An order
               for his removal was received yesterday,
               and Deputy Sheriffs BRADLEY and CONWAY
               went after the man. Instead of securing
               the right individual they arrested one
               WILLIAM KNAPP, a German, who has been
               doing work around the saloon of Chris
               SCHEFTER, corner of Delaware and South
               streets. Being able only to speak broken
               English, KNAPP could not explain to the
               Officers that he was not the right man
               and not crazy. Finally he became ex-
               cited and on resisting was overpowered
               and placed in a carriage after being
               handcuffed. Near the Court House he
               jumped from the carriage to the street,
               and the bailiffs summoned the assistance
               of several men to regain possession of
               the supposed lunatic. The man shouted
               lustily, and strongly resisted his cap-
               tors, who at last bound him with ropes
               and in this manner took him to the 
               Asylum. Upon arriving at the institution
               the Deputies were astonished at learning
               they had brought the wrong man, and were
               told to bring him back. This they did,
               and liberated KNAPP, whose hands were
               badly bruised and other injury sustained
               in his endeavor to obtain freedom. KNAPP
               after being brought back to the city,
               created consternation by going into a
               saloon to wash his hands, where he was
               recognized by one or two of those present,
               who took to their heels from fright.
               Later he was met by a reporter, whom he
               informed that for seven weeks he was an
               inmate of the Asylum, being a sufferer
               from epileptic fits, and was released
               on the 27th of December. At present he is
               making an effort to get into the Soldiers'
               Homea t Dayton, O., having been a soldier
               of the late war. It is supposed the deputies
               were mistaken on account of his recent re-
               lease from the Asylum and the similarity
               of names. KNAPP'S experience was rather
               bitter and equally as strange, but he does
               not blame the officers, as he realizes
               they were honestly mistaken. He was anxious,
               however, that a correction be made. It is
               needless to add that WILLIAM GABB, the
               right man, was afterward arrested and re-
               ceived at the Asylum.
               
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