Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-10-04


About two months ago young and hand
some looking woman applied to the proprie.
tors of the DePauw House for situation as
waiter. She was engaged at a stipulated
price, and by her good behavior and willing
ness TO please, soon became a faYorite OF
Mr. Beck and his immediate family. The
name she gave was Alice ST. Clair, and she
claimed to have come from Nova Scotia,
but nothing further could be learned from
her in regard 10 her former history. Alice
Beck that she was almost considered as one
of the family, and did little except attend to
them at the table. The greater portion of
her time, outside Of her duties, was devoted
TO reading light literature, in which she was
INDUCED by Mr.. Beck, who had the kindest
feeling for her, One of the faults of Alice
was her carelessness IN handling glassware, a
great deal of which she broke. This be-
came so frequent that Mrs. Beck took occa-
sion TO reprimand her and several little dis
putes was the result. Yesterday evening
Mrs. B. informed Alice she could not keep
her any longer, as the breakage amounted to
more than they could stand. At this an
nouncementt the girl broke out in paroxysm
of rage, rushed up stairs to her room, tore
up some books and papers, and set fire to
them. Another servant-girl entered the room,
saw the situation, and gave the alarm, and
several of the gentlemen boarders rushed to
the spot and put out the fire. When they
attempted 10 seize the girl she tried 10 jump
out the fourth-story window, but her pur-
suers were in time TO prevent her making the
terrible leap.
AT the solicitation of Mr.. Beck, DR.. Alex
ander was called in, and after an examination
pronounced her insane, and recommended
that she be confined in order to secure her
own safety, as well as the safety of those in
the hotel. Mr.. B. proposed 10 put guard
over her in the hotel, and did not wish to
send her 10 the county jail, but others thought
that the best place. She was accordingly
inearcerated there, and kept all night. This
morning she was released and taken to the
DePauw House, and an effort was made to
get from her some facts which would give a
clue to the cause of her arrangement. Cap.
tain Ward, while engaged talking to her
was called off to attend 10 some duty, and
the moment his back was turned she left the
house and ran at the top of her speed up
Main to Fourth street, and thence down TO-
ward the river. Her escape was soon made
known, and Capt. Ward with two young
men, started in pursuit. The race was quite
exciting, and it was evident to Capt. w.
that she was bent on selt-destruotion, He
increased his speed, and came up to her just
as she plunged into the river. After she
had been caught Capt. W. and the young
men had some difficulty in getting her to the
shore, as she ducked her head under water,
Notwithstanding their efforts to prevent it.
The girl was taken back TO the hotel, and
from thence to the Jail residence, where she
will remain until her case can be disposed of.
She is dangerous lunatic, and her case
should be disposed of ut once.
From what we can learn of the girl il ap-
pears she is the wife of gentleman of Har.
rison county, who married her several years
ago in Mexico The cause of their separa-
ton we are unable to learn, as both husband
and wife keep it a secret.-NeD Albany Jour
nal, Sept. 20.