A Woman Defies Her Husband’s Attempts at Institutionalization
A Colfax woman successfully defends her sanity after her husband attempts to have her committed to an asylum.
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A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Mrs. Mary Ann Debrusk was discharged as sane after an examination in court. She had been arrested on the complaint of her husband, who charged her with insanity. The wife declares this is the culmination of a persistent effort by her husband to get rid of her. The woman made a favorable impression in court, answering all questions intelligently. She made no effort to air grievances, but gave her side of the domestic troubles which culminated in her arrest. The husband testified that she would not speak to him or answer his questions, and that she once carried a knife during a quarrel. Mrs. Debrusk testified that after 18 years of marriage, she resolved to stop quarreling with her husband, who she claims has a violent temper and frequently abused her. She maintained a silent, non-combative stance as a way to preserve her peace.
“The wife declares this is the culmination of a persistent effort by her husband to get rid of her.”
This story underscores the historical use of 'insanity' charges by husbands to exert control over wives, a common tactic of domestic oppression. It reflects the struggle for bodily autonomy that persists in modern discussions of domestic violence and the legal system.
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