Near Brookville in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Inspiration or Insanity?

Scripture Rocks Heritage Park

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., April 8, 2022

1. Inspiration or Insanity? Marker

Inscription.

Inspiration or Insanity?. Scripture Rocks Heritage Park. , According to The Brookville Republican, Douglas Stahlman was committed to the local jail on August 20, 1915. The paper further states that "a commission was appointed to examine him which declared him insane, and he was sent to the county home.", This was the second time that Stahlman was declared insane by a local jury or commission, the first being in Valpariaso [sic], Indiana shortly after his wife's death in 1901. Stahlman subsequently escaped from the county home and evaded capture for a week. During the melee, Stahlman had written "threatening letters to several well-known citizens of the community.", On October 12 of that same year, he was transferred from the Jefferson County Home to the Dixmont Hospital in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania where he lived out the remainder of his life. Douglas Monroe Stahlman died on August 26, 1942, at the age of 81., Stahlman Escapes County Home. , Douglas Stahlman, the well known local character who has lived in this section for over 50 years, was committed to jail one day last week. A commission was appointed to examine him which declared him insane, and he was sent to the county home. On Saturday night he climbed out of a window at the home and has been at large since. Sheriff Mayes had been searching for him but so far has not been able to effect a capture although track of the prisoner has been secured several times. Several constables of the county have been notified to arrest him on sight. Some officials of the county have received threatening letters from him since his escape, one of which was mailed from Summerville. , Brookville Republican August 26, 1915, "Every man is a fool in either of two ways. If he believes the Bible with the heart and lives and walks and talks in the wisdom of God he is a fool in the sight of men, including many professors of religion. If he walks in the wisdom of this world he is a fool in the sight of God. No man ever amounts to much in the service of God, until he becomes a fool in the eyes of men, yea, sometimes even in his own eyes." , -D.M. Stahlman, [Illustration caption reads] , Western Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane at Dixmont

According to The Brookville Republican, Douglas Stahlman was committed to the local jail on August 20, 1915. The paper further states that "a commission was appointed to examine him which declared him insane, and he was sent to the county home."

This was the second time that Stahlman was declared insane by a local jury or commission, the first being in Valpariaso [sic], Indiana shortly after his wife's death in 1901. Stahlman subsequently escaped from the county home and evaded capture for a week. During the melee, Stahlman had written "threatening letters to several well-known citizens of the community."

On October 12 of that same year, he was transferred from the Jefferson County Home to the Dixmont Hospital in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania where he lived out the remainder of his life. Douglas Monroe Stahlman died on August 26, 1942, at the age of 81.

Stahlman Escapes County Home
Douglas Stahlman, the well known local character who has lived in this section for over 50 years, was committed to jail one day last week. A commission was appointed to examine him which declared him insane, and he was sent to the county home. On Saturday night he climbed out of a window at the home and has been at large since. Sheriff Mayes had been searching for him but so far has not been able

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to effect a capture although track of the prisoner has been secured several times. Several constables of the county have been notified to arrest him on sight. Some officials of the county have received threatening letters from him since his escape, one of which was mailed from Summerville.
Brookville Republican August 26, 1915

"Every man is a fool in either of two ways. If he believes the Bible with the heart and lives and walks and talks in the wisdom of God he is a fool in the sight of men, including many professors of religion. If he walks in the wisdom of this world he is a fool in the sight of God. No man ever amounts to much in the service of God, until he becomes a fool in the eyes of men, yea, sometimes even in his own eyes."
-D.M. Stahlman

[Illustration caption reads]
Western Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane at Dixmont

Erected by Jefferson County History Center, North Fork Ch 29 PA Archaeology, PA Lumber Heritage Region, and Jeff Co Motel Tax Cmte.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical date for this entry is August 20, 1915.

Location. 41° 9.67′ N, 79° 3.026′ W. Marker is near Brookville, Pennsylvania, in Jefferson County. Marker is along the Scripture Rocks Heritage Park trail (Geocoords

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., April 8, 2022

2. Inspiration or Insanity? Marker

are for the start of the trail; stay on the well-marked trail). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 560 PA Rt 28, Brookville PA 15825, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Welcome to the Scripture Rocks Heritage Park (here, next to this marker); Clearcuts & Conservation (here, next to this marker); Birds (here, next to this marker); Park Geology (here, next to this marker); Veil-Lifting (here, next to this marker); House on the Rock (here, next to this marker); Mary Gilbert (here, next to this marker); The Writing on the Wall (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brookville.

Scripture Rocks Heritage Park Trail Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., April 8, 2022

3. Scripture Rocks Heritage Park Trail Map

Inspiration or Insanity? Marker near #9 on map

Scripture Rocks Heritage Park Sign image. Click for more information.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., April 8, 2022

4. Scripture Rocks Heritage Park Sign

Looking NE on PA 28 toward I-80 Park website homepage
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 213 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 21, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on April 9, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.