Tragedy of a Man Committed for His Seizures
A local man with epilepsy was ordered to the state asylum after a history of struggle with his health and suicidal ideation.
Charles K. Walters was before Judge Chapman yesterday on a charge of insanity. The evidence brought out the facts that the patient has had epileptic fits; is melancholy most of the time and that he had attempted to commit suicide by taking aconite about seven years ago. Walters was in an asylum at St. Peters, Minn., for a short time several years ago. He was committed to the asylum at Steilacoom on the certificate of Drs. S. Bargeatich and Royal A. Gove.
“The evidence brought out the facts that the patient has had epileptic fits; is melancholy most of the time.”
This story highlights the historical intersection of neurology and criminalization, where conditions like epilepsy were often managed through institutional commitment. The 'Steilacoom Asylum' refers to the Western State Hospital, which has remained a central part of Washington's mental health infrastructure for over a century.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.