All That is Known
All That Is Known is a documentary podcast about one woman's lifelong search to understand where she came from.
What begins with a records request in 1981 becomes a decades-long pursuit through adoption files, court records, hospital archives, and family secrets—each discovery revealing new truths while raising new questions.
At age sixty-eight, a chance encounter uncovers a record that appears to answer the largest remaining mystery, the identity of her father. Instead, as records often do, it opens an entirely new chapter of the search.
Season One is a serialized story and is best experienced in episode order, beginning with Episode 1: A Life Recorded.
All That is Known
Committed
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A referral to determine potentiality is written. Three days later, a delivery warrant is issued.
July twenty-second, nineteen fifty-three. Worker later drove Gail to Morningside Hospital, accompanied by Mrs. Name Redacted and Miss Name Redacted. Mrs. Name Redacted mentioned that Gail had stood by the window from 11:30 this morning until 2 this afternoon, and she had nothing to talk about. When she was brought into the car, she was very reticent and withdrawn. She went into the hospital quite readily. However, when she was placed in the dormitory and asked to undress, she was very angry with Worker and mumbled something about wanting to be with her family. However, if Worker wanted her to do this, she would cooperate. This was the only conversation Gail carried on all afternoon. The sanity hearing was set for 10 o'clock Monday morning. As Gail does not have any clothing to go to the hospital, Worker went to St. Vincent de Paul Society to obtain the items necessary. The only things that Gail had to wear were her blue jeans and a dress. July 23rd. Social history to Dr. Lewis Martin. Ree, Bowman, David and Mary, born December 17, 51. Referral to determine adoptive potentiality. Children's Development. Mary's physical development has been more rapid than David's. Mary is outgoing, much more than David, who has a fear of men. Maternal background. Mrs. Gabrielle Bowman was born in 1926 and was 25 at the time of the twins' birth. Mrs. Bowman has been employed as a waitress and doing housework. Two other children, eight and seven, are in custody of their father. Since first known to this agency, there has been some question as to this woman's mental state. In March 1951, the medical school tentatively diagnosed her as a schizophrenic reaction type, and it was the physician's belief that commitment was probably necessary. Mrs. Bowman is now at Morningside Hospital and will be committed to the Eastern Oregon State Hospital within the next few days. Maternal uncle. The maternal uncle is a factory worker, married with four children. Paternal background.
SPEAKER_03July twenty-seventh, nineteen fifty-three. Form S. Order appointing physicians to make examination.
SPEAKER_02In the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon, for the county of Multnomah, in the matter of Gabriel Bowman, an alleged mentally ill person. To I. M. Campbell, physician, and James C. Zan, physician. You will please take notice that the court does hereby appoint you to examine as to her mental condition, Gabriel Bowman, alleged to be mentally ill. Such examination shall be made as provided by Chapter 571, Oregon Laws 1949. Signed, Ashby C. Dixon, Circuit Judge.
SPEAKER_03Form 9A.
SPEAKER_02Certificate of Examining Physicians. In the matter of Gabriel Bowman, an alleged mentally ill person. I, I M. Campbell, and I, James C. Zan, being first duly sworn, depose and say that I am a graduate of medicine and have practiced my profession blank years from the date of my diploma. That at the request and in the presence of Honorable Ashby C. Dixon, judge of said circuit court, have carefully examined Gabrielle Bowman in reference to the charge of mental illness, and do find that she is mentally ill. The facts elicited by said examination are set forth in answer to the following questions. The examining physicians will please answer as fully as they can, as this certificate affords all the reliable information in regard to the previous history of the patient that the superintendent of the hospital can obtain. Patient's name, Gabrielle Bowman, Residence, Portland, Oregon, Place of Birth, Massachusetts, Industry in which patient worked, Curtain Company, date patient last worked at this occupation, not since 1952, height 5 feet 6 inches, weight 125, color of hair, blonde, color of eyes, blue, date of birth, August 16th, 1926, race, white, education, blank, religion, Catholic, number of children living and number dead, four children, all living. Age when first child was born, nineteen, age of youngest child, twins born 1951, any deformed or defective children? All normal. How long in Oregon? Seven years. Is patient a legal resident of Oregon? Yes. Is patient single, married, widowed, or divorced? Married those separated?
SPEAKER_03Form 9B.
SPEAKER_02Maiden name and birthplace of mother, Mrs. Eastland. Cause of death of father, blank, cause of death of mother, blank. What relatives have been insane, epileptic, defective, or criminal? None to their knowledge. Habits of parents, non-contributing. Patient's habits, bizarre, seclusive, suspicious? Is patient suicidal or homicidal? Suicide attempt last year. Number of attacks and duration of present attack? One. Past few years, give details of previous attacks, none. Assigned cause of attack? Personality regression? Progressive. Earliest symptoms noted and mode of development, confusion, seclusion, suicide attempt. Sleep, poor memory? Good. Headache or neuralgia? No. Delusions. Character of are they fixed or changeable? Persecutory. Hallucinations and illusions? Auditory? History of blank? Is patient noisy, restless, destructive, or depressed? Depressed, apathetic? Brief history of diseases or injuries, none known. Age when menses appeared, not contributory, amount and character before and since the mental disease appeared, not contributory, if past change of life, was it sudden or gradual, and symptoms, not contributory, natural temperament and mental capacity, seclusive, capacity, good?
SPEAKER_03Form 9C.
SPEAKER_02Is knee jerk increased or abolished? Visual or pupillary defects? No. Has patient or either parent had syphilis? No. To what extent has patient used alcohol or drugs? Not known. Are there bruises, scars, or other evidence of present injury? No. Has patient been exposed to any contagion? No. Have there been any convulsive seizures? Not known. Give history with dates of previous strokes or paralysis? None. What treatment has been employed? Medical school clinic. Additional remarks? Early schizophrenia. Divorced from reality. Unable to care for herself. Commitment recommended. Names and addresses of nearest relative, guardian, or friend to be notified in case of death, sickness, or discharge from hospital, and who will furnish clothing and other necessary articles. Clara DeRuse, caseworker, 830, NE 47th Avenue, Portland, Oregon. VE2151. Myrtle S. Larison, Sergeant. 209 S.W., Oak Street, Portland, Oregon, AT6611, Relatives Unknown. I, I. M. Campbell, and I. James C. Zan being duly sworn, each for himself, depose and says that I am a regularly practicing physician licensed by the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners and not related to the patient by blood or marriage. That I participated in the whole of the examination of the above-named patient, and that the findings as herein above set forth are correct as far as I can determine. Campbell, M.D., James C. Zan, M.D., subscribed and sworn to before me this 27th day of July 1953. A Cycon County Clerk by R. G. Poland, Deputy.
SPEAKER_00A hearing was held in Judge Dixon's chambers this morning, at which two psychiatrists were present. They talked with Gail. Judge Dixon questioned her and did not seem to feel that she needed hospital confinement. Dr. Naim redacted felt quite strongly that she would benefit by the care at the hospital.
SPEAKER_03Form 5. Findings of examining physicians.
SPEAKER_02In the matter of Gabriel Bowman, an alleged mentally ill person. We, I. M. Campbell and James C. Zan, being first duly sworn upon oath, depose and say, We have examined pursuant to order of the court and in the presence of the court, Gabrielle Bowman, a person alleged to be mentally ill, and do find that she is so mentally ill as to be in need of treatment, care, or custody. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this 27th day of July, 1953. I Campbell, M.D., James C. Zan, M.D., subscribed and sworn to before me this 27th day of July, 1953. The above-named person was examined in the presence of the undersigned John B. McCourt, District Attorney for Maltnomah County, Oregon.
SPEAKER_00The judge suggested that care continue with Catholic charities. However, worker stated that we did not feel that we could continue to do this for her because we had worked with her over a period of time and had not been able to accomplish anything with her. And worker stated that she felt we were no longer able to continue this.
SPEAKER_03Form 6. Delivery Warrant. In the matter of Gabriel Bowman, an alleged mentally ill person, to F.
SPEAKER_02Sidney Hanson, County Health Officer Sheriff, to Donald Ware, Superintendent of the Eastern Oregon State Hospital at Pendleton, Oregon. Whereas Gabrielle Bowman has been this day duly examined as to her mental condition, and upon the certificate of I. M. Campbell, a competent physician, and James C. Zan, a competent physician, copies of which are hereto attached, it has been duly adjudged and determined that said person is mentally ill, and that she be committed to the Eastern Oregon State Hospital at Pendleton, Oregon. And it having been ascertained that the true name of said person is Gabrielle Bowman, age 27, Nativity, Massachusetts, Permanent Residence Portland, Oregon, and the cause of such mental illness is blank. Now, therefore, you are hereby commanded to take and safely keep and properly care for the said Gabrielle Bowman, and promptly and safely deliver her to the proper authorities of said Eastern Oregon State Hospital at Pendleton, Oregon, in the manner provided by law. Custody of such person shall not be in any prison, jail, or other enclosure for the detention of those charged with crime or violation of municipal ordinances if a place suitable for the comfortable, safe, and humane confinement of such person is available. And such person shall not be confined in any event without an attendant in direct charge of her, and you shall select some suitable person to act as such attendant. Now, therefore, it is hereby ordered and adjudged that neither the estate nor the relatives shall pay to the Oregon State Board of Control during the time said mentally ill person remains an inmate of Eastern Oregon State Hospital. It is therefore considered, ordered, and adjudged, that the said Gabrielle Bowman is a mentally ill person, and that she be and hereby is committed to the Eastern Oregon State Hospital at Pendleton, Oregon, and that she be promptly and safely delivered to the superintendent of the Eastern Oregon State Hospital. Signed, Ashby C. Dixon, Circuit Judge.
SPEAKER_00It was finally decided that Gail would be committed to the Eastern Oregon State Hospital, where she was taken later today.
SPEAKER_01Gabrielle turns 28 the month after she is committed to the state hospital. Four months later, David and Olivia turn two. This is all that is known.