Puyallup Man Re-committed to State Asylum Following Breakdown
A young man who struggled after a wilderness ordeal is returned to Western State Hospital after his mother reports fear for her safety.
The story, cleaned up
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.
Sherman Barnes, who was re-committed to the insane asylum at Steilacoom yesterday, is a Puyallup boy. He was discharged from the asylum about a year ago and has since been living with his mother at Meeker Junction. He appeared to be perfectly sane for a while after coming home, but lately grew worse and his mother became afraid of him. Upon complaint of Dr. J. H. McDonald of Puyallup, he has been re-committed. The cause of the young man's affliction was the result of getting lost in the foothills while hunting.
“The cause of the young man's affliction was the result of getting lost in the foothills while hunting.”
This story highlights the historical lack of support for survivors of trauma or mental health crises in the Pacific Northwest. While 'Steilacoom' (Western State Hospital) is still in operation, the language and approach to mental health care have undergone a massive, necessary transformation.
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