The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-17
A DREADFUL MANIA.

MRS. MARTHA WARMERS PRoMPTINGs TO KILL
HEL OWN CHILDREN, AND HER REPEATED
SUICIDAL ATTEMPTS TO AVOID DOING 80.
Through the applicants for warrants at tho JeIer-
son Market Police Court yesterday morning a lall
woman, with y strange, immobile face clbowcd her
way to tho bar and turning upon Judge Murray an
appealing look she begged him 10 commit her for y
time At tho unusual application the Court began
formal inqgiry, which the now conner disposed OF by
raising arms, glancing eoquently at her ili-clad
person saying quietly, but with Intense earnest
ness, II am homeless; am starving!"
regard Tor her unhappy condition restrained
Judge Murray from attempting further solution OF
her motives and he had mado out her temporary
commitment under tho name OF Maria Key, when
Court oincer Murray recognized in the suppliant
woman who In years. space has repeatedly sought
10 her days. and he's In every instance been
snchcd by some happy chance from tho very jaws OF
death. Her ~ pcarance IN court under such crcum-
naturally dictated iurthcr Investigation, and
William Il. Warner, OF No LOG Charles street, an en-
pioye board the steamer Cycops, who Is known to
be her husband sont for. Inc story Of her appl
cation commitments was revelation 10 him and no
appeared deeply moved ana distressed BY IT, Her
conduct however, no found no difficulty In accounting
ior ~
nre nce nor speeches arc wild and am In an cty
throu ghout the day tor the saiety of my children
obliged " leave them alone with her when aboard
my vessel, anu al times u icar that may on my re-
ronted by some dreadful tragedy torments
| DO what can To make her happy. Shc has as
good home Is aay woman Of her station IN tho city,
and, fearful that her household duties annoyed her
employ servants TO attend her. II all Ia vain,
however, tor In two weeks she jumped IRON a Jerry
boat and was rescued IN an inscns!bio condition.
her 10 asy UNI, but they soon discharged her
short time ago sue attempted TO take her life
by means OF Paris green Again she was saved
same result From another icrryboat sne
has Jumped since that, and twice has taken poison
How she has escaped seems indeed miraculous. As
often sent 10 tue asy ium she has been sent away
tncy deci nei they said, keep there perfectly
rational woman ON last tuesday niaht she said sue
gong to drown herself ana Was forced to lock
the doors Even then Sue said that she would not DO
tnwarted but would 80 to the roof and throw herself
into the street. Some day when am away ut che
will XIII tbc children, us sue has time aud again
threatened TO; then people will hoid up their hands
| nm asylum How, then, viii they be answcredg For
my part have done my duty. | have strivcd, God
knows hard To save her Tor ia spite oil all she Is
the mother oi my III 0nes."
SINGULAR CONDUCT
III, "Osd-Uo suicide was sent Tor to tho prison, and
came coart smiling, but tho instant she sci eyes
upoa nrr husband her eyes dilatcd ana became liked
Ia blank rigid stare; her lace was Ike statue,
impassiye as though turned iuto stone
"wnat Is your name 7" asked tho Court; but II was
some moments before the woman recovered from her
strange, trance-Iikc condition anu answered.
"Martna warner"
An explanation Of her conduct was then asked.
IL vail not hive with my hus6and.' she said slowly
The children sly children, | love them very much,
but must BEAT thcn--on must DO that. l have
again. l must 40 Il, Tor the hdren annoy me, and
there times am afraid that sbail Kill them.
There IS something tells me that one dav shall.
Tue Inquiry conducted 10 the end showed that Mar
tha ,rucr without DOUBT the victim OF dread
iui iJana Haunted by desire TO mako her own
chiidr suffer aud strange, mad prompting GO takc
tbei is, :, tho has time and agaiu in hcr dciirium
lea lf presence and sought TO avert their do.
strue,io" 4 her hands by cndng nsr own existence
Her Is peculiar one, and viii, pcrhaps DO made
The study ot specialists, as she was committed by
Judge Murray Tor medical examination