Three Persons in One Family Become Insane at the Same Time

A very strange article I found in the Northport News, Oct. 10, 1919.

But before I reprint this article allow me to give my own little Northport story. Back around late 1979, early 1980 my then girlfriend and I were enjoying a beer in mid afternoon in some Northport dive. Some kind of awful country western schmaltz was blaring. A guy who looked like Popeye, with arms to match, plus a t-shirt with some obscene message approached me and asked if I would allow my lady to dance.

OK, I know this town borders Idaho, but even 30 years ago this seemed like a Medieval request. I answered he needed to ask her directly. That response apparently threw him for a loop, but he recovered and then asked her directly. And she told him to perform a physically impossible act. I winced, waiting to be punched in the face, but he walked out of the room quickly in reverse, as if hit by mace. And that is all I remember about Northport.

Now, on to the story at hand. I propose the idea that if Mr. Lutjens was around in more modern times, he could've cashed in as a prophet, as a conduit of an ancient spirit, attracting big bucks from suckers:

Onward

THREE PERSONS IN ONE FAMILY BECOME INSANE AT THE SAME TIMEOne Imbued With the Idea He Has All Power and Was Crucified 2000 Years Ago
"A most peculiar and sad thing has occurred here in the fact three persons in one family becoming demented at about the same time. They are Adolph Lutjens and his two daughters, Mrs. Mills, and Mrs. Art Davis. The two latter were visiting their parents at the Lutjens homestead on Grouse mountain and became deeply interested in a Ouija board, as about all their time was consumed in manipulating it. At the last they would sit for 48 hours at a stretch, we are told, until finally last week they drove their parents out of the house and would not let them return."

"As soon as this was learned in town friends went up to the homestead in an automobile, and after a severe struggle with Mrs. Mills, captured and brought them to the hospital here, and later took them to
Colville, where they were officially examined and committed to the insane asylum at Medical Lake."

"Mrs. Mills' strength was phenomenal, while Mrs. Davis was as docile as a lamb. They continually talked
of angels and heaven."

"On Wednesday, a day or two after the above events occurred, Mr. Lutjens became so violent at a meeting
of the St. Crispin mining company and displayed his hostility so strong toward H.W. Brooks that his friends deemed it advisable to restrain him from liberty for awhile with the idea that after he cooled down he would be all right. After the cell door was locked on him he said it was unnecessary to lock him in, that the angels would liberate him in several minutes. After an hour or so he appeared to be all right and was turned out on the promise that he would go home."

"About 2 o'clock Monday morning of this week Mrs. Lutjens appeared at the home of Mrs. and Mrs. Fred Phillips, about a mile from the Lutjens home, and informed them that her husband was acting so strange she became afraid and ran away. He imagined that an enemy was outside of his house and to prevent him from entering was throwing sticks of wood through the door-way at him. Mrs. Lutjens, who was in bed, asked him what the trouble was, when he went to her bedside and, standing over her with a stick of wood, told her not to move. He then commenced throwing wood through the window. She watched her chance and finally escaped in her bare feet and night gown."

"When this news was brought to Northport, an officer and friends went to the Lutjens homestead, where they found Mr. Lutjens, who quietly surrendered and went along with them. He was taken to Colville the same day by Mr. Maudsley in his automobile, accompanied by Judge Crist and Officer McGovern. Adolf was full of talk most of his way down, his hallucination being that he was full of power and could do
anything that the spirit willed. He rode in the hind seat with Judge Crist, to whom he did the most talking, and he appeared to dislike officer McGovern."

"Upon a hearing he was sent to the insane asylum at Medical Lake."

"It seems the trouble was created through too much manipulation of the Ouija Board. There are several of them in this community and everyone of the crazy things ought to be thrown into a fire."

"The Lutjens are old-timers here, quiet and respected, while the young women and their husbands are also
among our most respected citizens."

"As the devilish device in which they became so interested seems to be the cause of their dementia, we
believe that after they are away from it awhile they will come back to their normal mind. We hope so, at
least, and their relations have our sympathy in their trouble."