Railroads in 1909--Insane

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Bluefield Daily Telegraph
February 18, 1909

CARLOAD OF INSANE SPEEDING EASTWARD
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Will be Deported to Respective Countries Under Recent Provision of Immigration Regulations

    San Francisco, Feb. 17--A specially constructed car started Tuesday for New York, carrying fourteen insane aliens taken from California insane asylums.
    On the arrival at New York the patients will be deported to their respective countries under the recent provision of the immigration regulations that any alien showing insanity within three years after coming to this country will be returned to his native land.
    The car, which will be attached to a fast overland train, is equipped with padded walls and barred windows.  Its crew, besides the immigration officers in charge, will consist of two matrons and six men attendants.
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[Although this probably did not involve the N&W or Virginian, it did involve railroads, and it reveals what today is probably a little-known practice for dealing with some mental patients  in those days.]

Gordon Hamilton
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