BANKER INSANE ON LINER AT SEA
James Henning of Chicago in Straightjacket
When the Cedric Docks Here.
FOUGHT STEWARDS ON SHIP
Had Brooded over Loss of His Family in Iroquois
Theatre Fire - Now In Bellevue.
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As the White Star liner Cedric, from Naples, was nearing this port on Sunday, James HENNING, a banker, of 145 La Salle Street, Chicago, suddenly went insane and had to be restrained until the arrival of the vessel here yesterday, when he was removed to Bellevue Hospital.
Brooding over the loss of his family in the Iriquois Theatre fire in Chicago on the last day of 1903 is said to have been the cause of the mental breakdown. HENNING had been abroad some months for rest and to secure the benefits of a complete change of scene. He was traveling alone.
He was far from well when he sailed from the other side, and each day as the vessel came nearer his native shores, reviving old memories, the man became more morose and gloomy. This caused comment among the passengers.
On Sunday morning the first -cabin passengers were gathered in the saloon to attend divine services, when suddenly Mr. HENNING jumped to his feet and began to gesticulate widly and talk in a rambling manner of his lost family. The passengers and the stewards tried in vain to quiet him, and finally he was persuaded to retire to his stateroom.
Mr. HENNING was following Dr. J. M. Bell up the companionway, when suddenly, with a shout, he dashed ahead and out on deck. There he began to talk loudly, and the steamship men, standing not on ceremony, but filled with a fear that he might attempt to jump overboard, carried hom to his room between decks.
Arriving in his room, the passenger quited downm and when a steward was detailed to keep a watch outside his door it was thought that the trouble was ended.
About 4 o'clock on Monday morning the guard left his post for one minute. Hardly had he turned his back when the door of Mr. HENNING's room opened cautiously and the man looked out into the corridor. The guard was disappearing down the stairs as with a yell Mr. HENNING ran down the alleyway and up to the next deck There a steward barred his passage.
Mr. HENNING, according to the stories told by those on the steamer, grabbed the man, and they were rolling about on the floor when the officers, aroused by the noise, came back to the rescue. Mr. HENNING was led back to his room, and this time he was put in a straightjacket.
As soon as the Cedric reached her pier an ambulnace was summoned and the unfortunate passenger removed to Bellevue. All this was very quietly done and the affair was not even reported to the immigration officials who boarded the vessel at Quartine. The vessel's officers admitted the facts to the Inspectors later.
Mr. HENNING is a well- built man of good appearance. He was quiet when removed from the Cedric. At Bellvue he still talked incoherently and his condition was such that Dr. Williams decided not to question him.
The hospital record has Mr. HENNING's age as 50 years. His address is given as 145 Las Salle Street, and the name of his best friend is down as George HENNING, a brother, living at the same address.
He is now in the psychopathic ward under observation. According to Dr. Williams he will have perfect rest for a few days, when an attempt will be made to determine as to his sanity.
Transcribed by Genie
Source: The New York Times, March 19, 1907
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