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Chapter 6 May–July 1875 On May 20, 1875, Mary Lincoln, accompanied by her son, traveled ninety miles to Batavia, Illinois, to begin residence at her new home, Bellevue Place sanitarium. Bellevue Place was a three-story limestone structure set on twenty acres of secluded and manicured grounds. The interior of the building was bright, spacious, and cozy, intending to create a homelike and relaxing atmosphere. The inmates all were highclass female patients who were typically nervous invalids, many suffering depression, whose families wanted better care and more privacy than state asylums offered. Bellevue was equipped for twenty-five to thirty patients, but only twenty were there when Mary Lincoln arrived in mid-1875. Mary had her own private suite of two rooms on the second floor, including a private bath, and her own personal attendant.1 Dr. Richard J. Patterson, proprietor of the sanitarium, was one of the most respected psychiatrists in the Midwest. He practiced the modern techniques of “moral therapy,” which included, “rest, diet, baths, fresh air, occupation (typically gardening ), diversion, change of scene, no more medicine than . . . absolutely necessary, and the least restraint possible.”2 He allowed all the patients freedom to walk the grounds and even leave the grounds while attended by a nurse, and had carriages and sleighs available for rides. Bellevue Place was a highly esteemed sanitarium that boasted a high “cure” rate of its patients. Robert Lincoln later told his aunt that he considered it “a blessing” that his mother was there under such good care. Daily Patient Progress Reports Bellevue Place Sanitarium, Batavia, Ill., May 1875 20—Mrs. Mary Lincoln admitted today—from Chicago—age 56—widow of Ex-President Lincoln—declared insane by Cook County Court May 19, 1875. Case is one of mental impairment which probably dates back to the murder of President Lincoln—more pronounced since the death of her son, but especially aggravated during the last two months. Emerson_Text.indd 72 5/18/12 3:37 PM May–July 1875 73 21—Mrs. Lincoln slept well last night—today her pulse is 100 but she has no fever. 22—Mrs. Lincoln has seemed cheerful and is apparently contented— she took a long walk this morning—sleeps well at night. 23—Mrs. Lincoln out riding today—seems well and contented— quite talkative. 24—Mrs. Lincoln as usual—went to ride today—sleeping well. 25—Mrs. Lincoln rather depressed—went out to drive as usual. 26—Mr. Lincoln came to see his mother—she was comparatively cheerful—went out in the evening for a drive to Geneva. 27—Mrs. Lincoln as usual—went to ride in evening. 29—Mrs. Lincoln out walking today—she did not wish to ride. 30—Mrs. Lincoln out riding today—very melancholy. 31—Mrs. Lincoln as usual—did not ride today. Ross, “Mary Todd Lincoln” Robert Lincoln to Sally Orne Chicago, Ill., June 1, 1875 My dear Madam: Your letter written immediately after you received the news of the proceedings which I was unhappily compelled to take,should have received an earlier reply and I must beg you to excuse my apparent neglect. If you have since seen any detailed account of the occurrences which forced me to place my mother under care, I think, indeed I know, you could not but have approved my action. Six physicians in council informed me that by longer delay I was making myself morally responsible for some very probable tragedy, which might occur at any moment. Some of my eastern friends have criticized the public proceedings in Court which seemed to them unnecessary. Against this there was no help, for we have a statute in this state which imposes a very heavy penalty on any one depriving an insane person of his liberty, without verdict of a jury. My mother is, I think, under as good care and as happily situated as is possible under the circumstances. She is in the private part of the house of Dr. Patterson and her associates are the members of his family only. With them she walks and drives whenever she likes and takes her meals with them or in her own rooms as she chooses,and she tells me she likes them all very much. The expression of surprise at my action which was telegraphed East, and which you doubtless saw, was the first and last expression of the kind she has uttered and we are on the best of terms. Indeed my consolation in this sad affair is in...

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