Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-09-14
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WHEEL
THE INTELI.IGE GENCEIR :.
Encfdcnt. In am Tnsape asvI,,,, 3
From the San Francisco ac,as Ia = I''th 9.. :.

Incident In an Insnne Asylnn1.E
From the San Francisco Pac1ac.l 9
Ihe following narration exhibits something
OF tue crai hness and cunning of the insane but
especially the great tact and presence Of mind
necessary on thepart ofthe conductors, particu-
larry IN emergencies, when dealing with their
lpaticnts: 9
The former excellent matron. Mrs. Reid. with
her attendant, generally called Elizie, had gone
as usual IN the morning, into the apartments Of
the most raving females. They were all vet in
their separate apartments leading into one long
hall On one occasion Mrs. Reid had gone for
ward 10th farther end, and Lizzie, contrary to
regulations, had opened one of the apartments
where a very strong, insane woman slept
TINS woman. was sometimes very furious, and
would not fear to commit any deed even to tnke
lfeifprovoked. She eallad formerly drank, ey
cessiveiy and was ardently fnnd Of sherry wine:
but there was no difficulty in dealing with her
MneR sne X knew that managers were stronger
thar herself On1this occasion, us Flizie entered
hebundle Of keys Were imprudently left in the
door, and arrangements were being made to
battle the insane woman.
Watching carefully her opportunity, the 5wo-f
man slipped by Eizie, shut the door and turned
the key; then with the bound ofa wild beast,
ncr eyes flashing with excitement, She sprang
forward to Mrs. Ried and exclaimed, sOhi'
Mother Ricd! I've shut Lizzie, into my room,
have got the keys and now you are in my pow
cr. Mrs. Ried being person OF only ordinary
strength, knew she could do nothing withsher,
out pleasantly replied, Wcll, andss what do
you propose. to do!" The fierce maniac replied
"ln going. to shut you up, too; open the.o
rooms and let ali the women out'' Well said
Mrs. lied, land what ten?" .tThen Tin noinn
to San Francisco, was the reply fWhy4in
those clothes you have got on, said Mrs Ried,
surely everybody will laughsat you" "Oh,,
well was the reply, atter.umoments survey
ones in San Francisco s'But, said Mrs. Ried
''yoncantt, because every one will know at once &
by those clothes that you come. from8the Insane
Asylumi anGthey will take you and bring you
back again.. Stopping for moment for effect
as the raving woman was looking at her dress,
dresses are, and can liN you out so that no one
shall detect you. Yon don't know the room
but come withme and5I can show svou.if
So together they Started along the hall As
they were going, the insane woman holding
tight the Keys Mrs. Ried observed to her:--
Now, 5do4you suppose for bottle ofsherry
wine you could pick out the key to EizZe's
door," Yes, was the reply, "tor.a bottle Of
sherry wine could" 81 hardly think you
can,o said Mrs. Ried Eyes ]. can, . was the
reply. We'll, now, said Mrs Ricd, ''lct us
see. Iheinsanc woman turned at once the /.
door where Elizie was locked in, and tried one
key, and 1t would not answer; next, another was
tried and failed, and the eagcrness of tie woman
increased as each key failed, till in little while
theright key was reached, turned with wrench
and the door thrown back wide open. In ,
moment Elizie sPrangl out, and Mrs. Ried grasp
ed the insane woman around the waist, pinning
her arms to her body; aud Eliziein like manner
seized her around the lower limbs, and she was
quickly ,bornesby the two intoher room, and
the two, stepping out. turned the key, thenfi'st
to breathe easy since the danger was percieyet
II was an occasion of rejoicing at their zcscape,
Of severe and deserved reproach to Elizie for
her mprudence in entering alone and leaving
the keys in,the door, aud of,earnest protesta-
tions by Ellzie, that she would be more careful