Insane Asylum – Maestri

The records showed that he was being admitted by his wife Jenny Maestri Dale, I found myself pondering: who could be the antagonist here?

I have a clear picture of the victims—Arthur, Ferdinand, Corine, Lenny, and poor Maestri. But what led to this unfortunate event? Was it Arthur’s struggles with drinking, Jenny possibly having an affair, or perhaps something entirely different?

On Arthur admission papers into the insane asylum in Jackson, Louisiana:

Alcoholic psychosis
Pre-senility condition
Drinking to excess

He made several claims while being admitted and while it mentioned “Voluntary” his words were saying very much, the opposite.

Stripped of his humanity, Arthur would became Patient 18017 until his death on Dec 26, 1957. Apparently, Arthur fell down a lot in the asylum, numerous reports of he receiving stitches and abrasions. Not sure why but he was on Dilantin, Phenobard and Mysoline for much of his stay there.

Jackson Hospital for the Insane

Upon completion of the institutionalization application, presumably filled out by Jenny Maestri, the following observations were noted:

symptoms – Alcoholic psychosis with grandiose ideas of great riches.
first symptoms? Initial signs of nervousness accompanied by hallucinations.
symptoms gradual or rapid? Symptoms manifest gradually.
does he talk to himself? Affirmative, he engages in self-dialogue.
believe he is being persecuted? Yes, he harbors beliefs of persecution.
in what manner? He perceives unjust treatment from his family.
any changes that have occurred in mind or body since the onset of present attack of insanity? Institutional adjustment.
is patient now in jail? Currently admitted to De Paul Sanitarium.
number of previous admissions of other Mental Hospital? Two-week stay at City Hospital.

Further details regarding the case:

_{I was told as I requested information- “do you really want to know this?… it was a very dark period for mental health.”}

Other Indications of Insanity:

He locked himself up, turned against wife
Patient has been nervously ill for the past nine months previous to his admission to De Paul Sanitarium (Tulane) in March 1930.
Lost all interest in his surroundings
Says, that he is from Royalty
Expects $68,000 as a life sum from his personal investments
At times will not speak for weeks and again most talkative
Grandiose ideas of great riches
Denied his last baby

Dates That Matter:

What compelled Arthur to run ad in in the Times-Picayune on Aug 28, 1928
Eight months later, Maestri Bildstein Dale is born on April 29, 1929
Arthur is first placed in De Paul Sanitarium (Tulane) on March 1930, admission papers claim he has been “experiencing nervous illness” for the nine months prior being admitted.
Six years later, Arthur makes several more claims as he is being permanently institutionalized in Jackson, Louisiana’s Insane Asylum in 1936 (against his will).
His last claim on that day, about the new baby Maestri B Dale, would change Arthur C Dale’s life and ours – Forever.

Denied by his father?

This part of my family story was a real challenge. It wasn’t difficult to find the records, but what I uncovered really shook up my understanding of “family”.

The information I discovered almost made me want to stop searching altogether. But I didn’t give up. With each step forward, I stumbled upon something fascinating. It felt like a puzzle, with each new discovery unlocking the next part of my journey.

I started wondering: If Arthur C. Dale wasn’t my grandfather, then who was?

It was like I was playing a game, with gatekeepers holding the keys to the next part of my search. Who would reveal the truth about my grandfather?

This chapter of my family history opened up so many new avenues to explore. I had no idea where they would take me, honestly I was also a little nervous about what I might find.