In the mid- to late 1800s, insane asylums served as catch-all facilities for violent and difficult women. But were they ... her head,” in the words of The New York Times. Meanwhile, the Daily ...

Nellie Bly's Madhouse expose amazed and shocked New Yorkers. It started as a dare. "New York World" managing ... these doors are unlocked." the women's asylum on Blackwell's Island was a grim ...

Special to The New York Times. TimesMachine is an exclusive ... Manhattan, will go to an insane asylum instead of the electric chair. Zastera killed three persons and confessed.