QUESTIONS by Ethel Wilmoth Wells
Everyone probably knows that James Ruffin Wilmoth spent approximately six (6) years at Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg, Virginia before his death there January 3, 1923. But do we know how he got there or why he was there? There are two stories.
My father, John Henry Wilmoth explained it this way. Several years after Ruffin and Mildred moved to Virginia in 1913, they found themselves short on money because of crop failure and they were unable to the mortgage on their home, the Old Savage Place in Chesterfield County. It was decided that Ruffin would take a trip alone back to Surry County, North Carolina to borrow money from his older brother John, who was a successful farmer and homeowner, having married well.
On Ruffin’s way home via train, something happened – no one knows what – but Ruffin was found wandering along the train tracks nears Keysville, Virginia. The police were called and because he did not know who he was, where he was from or where he was going, the Charlotte County Sheriff had him taken to Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg. He had no money on him, and so my father thought someone had robbed him and thrown him off the train. Sounds reasonable.
The other version of Ruffin’s confusion is that he had been kicked in the head by a mule before his return trip to North Carolina. Could be.
My guess is that both incidents contributed to Ruffin’s illness. But it had nothing to do with heredity.
What have you heard? What do you think?
SOME ANSWERS by Ethel Wilmoth Wells
The few pictures we have seen of James Ruffin Wilmoth show him to be small in stature with a solemn, almost stern face. Records from Eastern State Hospital can tell us more. At age 43, his appearance, physical and mental conditions are described on his commitment papers. He had dark brown hair mixed with gray. His eyes were blue and his complexion was dark. His muscles were well developed and firm. He weighed 137 lbs. And was 5 ft. 8 in. tall. He had no bruises, scars or eruptions. His eyes were normal, speech normal and his sleep was regular. His attention was good. Retention poor.
In clinical notes the following were all checked as “Yes”: read, write, good education, married. His first attack was unknown. It is reported that during one examination he “Talked in wild and excited manner”. Also noted, “Mentally, patient is a little depressed”.
In later interviews he said, “I used to raise tobacco and it was hard work.” When asked about his father Stephen, Ruffin had this to say: “He was about 62 years old when he died. His occupation was just a little of everything. He worked on the farm mostly.” About his mother Mary Jane, he said: “Mother is living yet”; and he said her health was good.
The following are some direct questions and answers:
Q. Where were you born?
A. North Carolina.
Q. Is there any insanity in your family”
A. I don’t know.
Q. Have you had syphilis?
A. No
Q. Any prolonged illness at all? Have you been effected this way before?
A. No
Q. Do you drink whiskey?
A. No sir. That is one thing I don’t do.
Q. Have you ever been like this before?
A. I have lost myself some being in a strange place.
Q. What county in Virginia do you live?
A. Just above Keysville.
Q. What were you doing there?
A. I started to Danville to get some work done and I went around by Keysville and I got lost there. Never been there before.
Q. Do you remember when you came here?
A. Yes, I think I do.
Other hospital comments: Patient not violent or destructive. Excited, yes. Suicidal, no. Patient described as talking to himself; but did not believe he was being persecuted.
In conclusion the hospital records say: “Patient is quiet and well behaved. Seems content to stay in bed and do as he is told. Has good attitude”.
Feb 2001