After my wife and brother B. and his son Livy had been received for the first time into the incurable house, and seated in the south hall, I was loosed from the large room where I was once bound, and taken to the hall to meet my wife and brother for the first time in this hopeless house. My wife and friends had been told by doctors there was no hope of my being any better, I was incurable. This caused my visits to be few and far between.
I was considered a worthless man, and a nuisance. I was asked by my wife if I would like to go home with them, when I answered yes. Brother spoke to Alfred in regard to my going, who says, "You must ask Dr. Gregory." We took the parting hand and I remained a sufferer for years to come.
TREATMENT OF J. H. HAM BY ALFRED.
J. H. Ham had a father and mother who visited him in the back hall. Henry was a young man, not twenty years of age. Saw him bound day after day with the whole of the asylum harness, fastened to a chair, with gag in his mouth day after day for being noisy. He was often taken to the bath tub and put into cold water so long that his feet were frozen. I saw chilblains he said were caused by so doing. Young Ham, under this treatment, grew pale and weak, and one leg became almost useless. I saw his father come and take him away.
Rejoice with those that rejoice, and weep with those that weep.
Friday Morning, June 18, 1874.
Just returned from my daughter; saw her for the first time press her first-born babe to her bosom with a smile. Who can know the joys of my daughter's heart this morning but a mother.
Who knows the feeling of the Virgin Mary when she brought forth her first-born Son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.
Who knows her feelings when she gazed upon the cross and saw her son bleeding and dying.
Who can know that mother's grief when she stood by Joseph's tomb inquiring of the angel for her risen Lord.