by Ginny Dye
Stunned silence filled the room.
Carrie grappled with what she was hearing. “That is truly the law?” she demanded. “Everywhere in America?”
“Until two years ago, it was the law in thirty states. I had the law changed in the State of Illinois in 1867, but it still remains the law in most of our country. I assure you I was not the only woman in the asylum who was quite sane, but put there by her husband anyway.”
Elizabeth took a deep breath. “Is it the law in New York?”
Mrs. Packard met her eyes. “I’m afraid it is.”
Carrie felt sick at the idea of Alice trapped in an insane asylum at the mercy of a husband who owned her identity. “How did you get out?” she demanded. “Somehow you obtained your freedom.”
“Yes, but it was not easy,” Mrs. Packard said. “I was held at the asylum for three years, until my oldest son reached the age of twenty-one. He had tried many times during the three years to get me released, but his father thwarted him every time. My son had promised me since my imprisonment, that as soon as he became a man, he would set me free.”
“And he did?” Marietta asked eagerly.
Mrs. Packard looked pained. “He tried. Oh, how he tried, but his father is quite a deceptive man. His father knew of my son’s desire to free me, you see. My son, Theophilus, had gone to his father and told him he would like to remove me. He promised he would cheerfully support me in his home if his father would but agree.” She sighed. “What my son didn’t know was that the asylum had told his father he must remove me anyway. They had pronounced me incurably insane, and they would no longer be responsible for me. They had tried their best to get me to change my stance on my religious freedoms, but I refused.”
Carrie stared at her, wondering if she would have had the courage to stand so strong in the defense of her beliefs. “What happened?”
“My son was so excited to take me away from the asylum, but I knew the law still held me subject to my husband. My son had no liberty to protect my freedom. His ability to do so depended on the promise of my husband, which I knew to be no good. I suspected he wanted to kidnap me again, because I had learned about his communication with another asylum in Massachusetts, which would take me even farther from my children and everyone I knew.”
“Dear God,” Jeremy muttered. “What kind of man is he?”
“Quite an evil one,” Mrs. Packard replied calmly. “I negotiated with the asylum to let me stay there in a private room where I could continue working on my first book. I figured I would have it done in six weeks, and would thus have a form of defense in my hands. I had no idea that I would ever be able to use it in legal proceedings, but I wanted to have my experiences written down. The asylum agreed with my plan, formally discharged me, and then left me to my writing.”
“Something went very wrong,” Carrie muttered.
“Yes, something went very wrong,” Mrs. Packard agreed. “I’m still not quite sure how it all happened, but the trustees of the asylum, prompted by Mr. Packard, declared me their prisoner and ordered me into the custody of my husband four weeks before I was going to leave to join my son. I knew nothing about it until my door was forced open, all my belongings stolen, and I was once again taken into custody by men I could not resist.”
“This is unbelievable!” Elizabeth cried angrily. “And you say this is happening to other women?”
“To many women,” Mrs. Packard replied, her eyes flashing with anger.
“Did you end up in another asylum?” Janie asked in a hushed voice.
“No,” Mrs. Packard revealed. “Mr. Packard must have believed it was not possible, because he locked me in the nursery of my house, took away all my clothes, and boarded up the windows to shut me off from the world. None of my children were allowed to see me.”
Carrie’s horror deepened. “He could do that? Was there no end to the atrocities?”
“His actions ended up being my salvation,” Mrs. Packard said stoically. “While he could legally lock me up in an insane asylum, he could not legally lock me up in my own home. I did, however, through careful listening, ascertain that he was plotting to get me locked up in another asylum as a case of hopeless insanity. If he had succeeded, I would be there to this day,” she said gravely. “After about six weeks locked in the nursery, I managed to push a letter through one of the slats of my window boards. A transient who was using our water pump found it and took pity on me. She took it to a nearby judge who came to the house and demanded that Mr. Packard bring me to his office. There, the judge decided that I must be given a fair trial. He gave me permission to seek refuge in a friend’s home, where I stayed until the trial.”
Carrie inched forward to the edge of her seat with horrified fascination. “You were declared sane.”
“Yes,” Mrs. Packard agreed. “But I lost so much else. Mr. Packard did his best to prove I was insane, but the courthouse was packed with two hundred women supporters, and there was overwhelming evidence in my favor. It took the jury only seven minutes to come back with the verdict that I am, indeed, quite sane.” Her eyes darkened. “When I returned home the next day, I discovered Mr. Packard had rented out my home, sold our furniture, taken all my belongings, and disappeared with my children.”
“No!” Marietta cried, bringing her fist to her mouth. “How could he?”
Mrs. Packard met her eyes. “Because legally he could. As long as marriage robs women of their personal rights and the right to their children, there are men who will continue to abuse their vows.”
Her words hung in the silence for several minutes.
“How long was it before you saw them again?” Elizabeth finally asked.
Mrs. Packard smiled sadly. “I still have not.”
Carrie shook her head, unable to believe what she was hearing. “You have not seen your children in almost nine years?”
“I have seen my two oldest sons who were able to defy their father and visit me at the insane asylum, but I have yet to see my other four children.”
Carrie blinked back her tears. “And will you ever?”
“I should know fairly soon,” Mrs. Packard said in a more hopeful voice. “I have not been idle since my release, and my declaration of sanity. I made a vow to help as many women as I could. I have published many books to bring attention to the issues of women’s rights, the rights of people committed on grounds of insanity, and the harms of religious absolutism. The press has paid much attention. Laws have changed in Illinois and Massachusetts that restore rights to women. A husband can no longer commit their wife to an insane asylum without a trial to prove her sanity, but there is still so much work to be done.”
“But you said you might see your children soon?” Carrie asked again. Her mind was spinning. How could this woman have been free for six years and still be kept from her children?
“Yes,” Mrs. Packard replied. “I have recently gotten more bills passed in Illinois regarding female rights in child custody. I have a hearing in one month to regain custody of my children. My lawyer assures me I have a very good chance of winning because of how well known my case is.” She took a deep breath. “If all goes well, I will gain custody of them, and they will join me in Chicago.” She blinked her eyes. “We will all be together for the first time in nine years. Theophilus is now twenty-seven, but my three younger children are still teenagers. My youngest will turn twelve this summer. I will have a chance to raise my children,” she said happily. “My older sons have made sure they know how much I love them, and how hard I am fighting for them.”
Carrie smiled, but her fears bloomed even larger for Alice. “You say there are no laws that have been passed in New York?”
The smile faded from Mrs. Packard’s face. “That is true, Mrs. Borden.”
“So, our friend Alice has no hope of getting out of the insane asylum?”
“There is always hope, my dear,” Mrs. Packard said gently. “I am proof of that.”
“Yes,” Carrie said impatiently, “but Ali
ce has no children to fight for her.”
“No,” Mrs. Packard replied. “But she does seem to have very good friends.”
“Yes, she does,” Elizabeth said. “We’ll do whatever we can to help her.”
“Then we need to come up with a plan,” Mrs. Packard answered.
Chapter Fourteen
Carrie opened the window in her room, relishing in the almost balmy feel of the breeze ruffling the curtains. It was still cold, but the temperature had risen substantially from the sub-zero blast they had just endured. Since it was early February, she knew they would have more snow before the winter was over, but she was thrilled for the reprieve between storms. She sighed as she settled down on the window seat, thinking of all the long hours spent studying in this very location. It was hard to believe she was done with school. She would never be done with study and learning, but she was thrilled there would no longer be pressure attached to it. She lifted her face to the weak sun filtering through the high, thin layer of clouds, frowning as she noticed the dark bank of cumulus clouds hovering on the horizon in the west. They might not have long before the next snowstorm after all.
A knock at the door startled her out of her reverie. “Come in,” she called.
Marietta opened the door and eased into the room, Sarah Rose snuggled against her chest. “A telegram came for you,” she announced.
“A telegram? I didn’t hear anyone at the door.”
“I had stepped outside to sweep the porch when the delivery boy arrived.”
Carrie fixed her eyes on the telegram, but smiled. “Isn’t it a little difficult to sweep while holding your daughter?”
Marietta laughed. “She was sound asleep when I went downstairs. When I came up here to give you the telegram she was wide awake, so I grabbed her before she could wake Marcus.”
“Smart mama,” Carrie murmured. Her eyes were fastened on the telegram, but she didn’t reach for it.
Marietta cocked her head. “Don’t you want it?”
Carrie nodded slowly. “I do…but I’m afraid to read what it says. What if Dorothea Dix can’t get us in to see Alice?”
Marietta’s eyes were sympathetic as she held out the telegram. “There is only one way to find out.” Her voice grew firmer. “We can’t give up hope, Carrie. We have a plan in place. Now we have to make it happen.”
Carrie stared at the envelope, reached for it, and then carefully opened it. “Yes!” she cried happily. “Dorothea Dix was able to get us in!” Her eyes sharpened. “Wait...” She read the entire telegram carefully, and then stared up at Marietta. “They only allow one person in to visit a patient. She insists that it be me, since she is doing this from Abby’s recommendation.”
Marietta’s eyes widened. “You have to go into the insane asylum by yourself?” She shook her head vehemently. “Carrie, that can’t possibly be safe. You can’t do it!”
Carrie was quivering on the inside, but she maintained a brave front. “Why?” she asked. “At least I don’t have a husband who can commit me as a patient. I’m sure it will be fine.” She was not at all sure of that, but she knew she would do it anyway. Alice must be terrified and feeling so terribly alone. She met Marietta’s eyes. “Wouldn’t you do it for me?”
Marietta sighed heavily. “Of course, but…”
“But nothing,” Carrie replied. “I don’t believe Miss Dix would recommend this course of action if she thought it was unsafe. I suspect it will not be pleasant, but it is far better than what Alice is experiencing every day.”
Marietta’s mouth drooped with defeat. “When?”
“I have a scheduled meeting with Alice in three days,” Carrie revealed, her thoughts speeding ahead. “I will travel to New York City by train tomorrow, stay with the Stratfords, and then travel out to the asylum.”
“The Stratfords?”
“Yes. Nancy Stratford is a close friend of Abby’s. Her husband, Wally, is very successful in real estate. Their son, Michael, is a New York policeman. At least he was the last I knew. His parents would love it if he would choose a different profession, but he believes he is needed.” She glanced out the window, her mind whirling with plans she would have to make before she could leave. She would want a day at the Stratfords’ before she went to the asylum. “I’ve stayed with them before. They are lovely people.”
“And you’re really going to go by yourself?”
“I am,” Carrie said firmly. “I’m sure Michael will at least ride out to the asylum with me. I doubt they will make an attempt to imprison me when there is a New York policeman waiting for me,” she added wryly.
“I suppose that is true,” Marietta conceded reluctantly.
Carrie moved over to her wardrobe, and pulled out a light blue, patterned satchel. “I’ll need to leave in the morning,” she said briskly. “Since we have company coming for dinner tonight, I had best pack now.” She smiled at Marietta. “Please don’t look so concerned,” she scolded. “We have a plan in place. The good news is that my need to go alone won’t change our plan. It may not be comfortable to be in there by myself, but we all agreed we would do whatever it takes to make sure Alice doesn’t have to endure what Mrs. Packard did.”
Marietta straightened her shoulders as she forced a bright smile. “You’re right,” she said staunchly. “I’m taking Sarah Rose downstairs to work on supper while you pack.”
*****
Carrie looked around the dining room table with delight. To have so many of her favorite people all together was wonderful. She had helped Marietta with the cooking, but the gleaming china and silverware were all due to Marietta’s hard efforts. Her earlier concerns that her friend would find it difficult to endure a Philadelphia winter had all faded away. She was absolutely thriving on being a mother and housewife. Carrie knew she also kept a stack of books handy in every room of the house. Whenever the twins were sleeping, she would spend time reading about teaching and current affairs.
George eyed the platter of chicken and potatoes. “That looks wonderful, Mrs. Anthony.”
Marietta clucked. “You will certainly not call me Mrs. Anthony, George. My name is Marietta. My husband tells me he could not run the factory without you.” She smiled warmly. “That makes you family as far as I’m concerned. It’s such a pleasure to have you here tonight.”
George flushed with pleasure. “Thank you, Marietta.”
“You’re welcome, George.” She eyed him appraisingly. “I can only hope my red-haired, blue-eyed son will grow up to be as handsome as you.”
Carrie grinned and turned to Janie, their eyes sharing the fun of their secret, and then her smile faded. “You have to promise you won’t have this baby in the next four days,” she said sternly.
“Why?” Janie demanded as she narrowed her eyes.
“I have to leave for a few days,” Carrie revealed. She wouldn’t deny she was nervous about Janie having her baby while she was gone, but she was certain she had to take advantage of this opportunity to visit Alice.
“Why?”
Janie’s voice was calm, but Carrie saw the tension in her eyes. Carrie explained the situation. “I have to go,” she finished in a pleading voice.
“Of course you do,” Janie responded. “Women have babies all the time. I will be fine,” she said bravely.
Matthew walked up in time to hear her final sentence. “What will be fine?” he asked, his blue eyes bright with concern.
Carrie turned to him and smiled. “I’m counting on you to convince your child to wait at least four days before making its entrance into the world.”
Alarm flared in Matthew’s eyes. “Why?”
Carrie bit back a sigh. She hated to leave town so close to Janie’s delivery date. She didn’t feel she had a choice, but she struggled with the feeling she was letting her friends down.
Janie saved her from making another explanation by making it herself.
When she finished, Matthew nodded his head firmly. “You’re doing the right thing, Carrie.”
Carrie peered into his eyes, searching for a hint of disappointment or condemnation. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw nothing but determined confidence and belief. “Thank you,” she said.
“I would go with you if Janie weren’t so close to having our child. I’ve already gotten clearance from the newspaper to do a series of articles on insane asylums, especially with regard to what is happening with women. I’ve met with Mrs. Packard, and am in the process of reading all her books.” His eyes darkened. “You’ve got to get Alice out of there.”
Carrie knew he was right, but the intensity of his gaze deepened the pressure she was already feeling. “I know.”
“What time do you leave?” Janie asked.
“I catch the train tomorrow morning at eight o’clock. I’ll spend the night with the Stratfords. I’ve telegrammed them about my arrival, and asked them to speak with Michael about whether he can accompany me.”
Matthew nodded gravely. “That would be wise.”
Alarm flared in Carrie. “Why? Do you believe I’m in danger?”
“No,” Matthew insisted. He hesitated briefly. “I believe you will probably be quite upset when you have to leave Alice behind. I think it will be a good idea if you aren’t alone.”
Once again, Carrie was sure he was right. She prayed Michael would be able to go with her.
*****
Dessert had been served when Janie held up her hand to stop the easy flow of conversation around the table. “I have an exciting announcement!”
“Please tell me you have not just gone into labor,” Carrie murmured.
Janie laughed lightly. “No, but it is actually something as exciting, because it is a birth of sorts.”
Silence filled the room as all eyes turned to her expectantly. Janie opened her mouth to speak when a knock sounded at the door. Jeremy stood immediately.
“Are we expecting someone else, dear?” Marietta asked.
“Not that I know of, but you might want to get another slice of chess pie and another coffee cup. As long as they are friend, and not foe, I will invite them in.”