National Republican., 1880-08-19
STRANGE FRENZY.
A Family OF Mad Women.

NEW York, Aug. 19.-Mrs. Sarah Thomp-
son aud her two daug ghtors, supposed 10 bo in
sane, and who created so much talk by their
peculiar actions in Albany, upon their return
to this city last night proceeded to tho ST.
Nicholas hotel and were assigned room 231, OH
the second floor Whom the attendant ap-
poarcd in tho ladies' pdrlor 10 show them to tho
room, the women broke cut into piercing
screams, and with wild gestures refused 10
leave the apartment. They were quieted for
a while, but would at intervals renew their
screams. Miss Mimic was most demonstrA-
tive, but Miss Annie raved incohorently OF
mysterious man who was following thom TO
poison them. Strict watch was kept over
them all night. Early this morning Minnie
had another 1t, aud was sent TO u police
station aud from there To Bellevue
hospital In caro- Of u married sister. No sooner
had she been taken from the hotel than Annie
had a severe fit of Mysteries, and was with diff
ficulty restrained from injuring herself. The
married sister on returning from the hospital
was left in tho room with Annio, when the lat
tor suddenly pushed her into the hall and
locked the door. She Gould bo heard from
the outside raving like u maniac. Unavaiing
efforts were made to gain access to tho room
through the fan.light, aud word was finally
sent to Tho police station for assistance. The
mother left the hotel carly this morning to
raise money. The Siege OF the mad woman's
room Is still in progress.
An omployo of tho hotel finally managed to
crawl through tho uulight, and unlocked
the door. Detectives then entered, and
arrested the girl, who had quietol down some.
what. 1t was then decided that Annic and her
mother, who had returned to tho hotel should
DO sent to Bellevue hospital. Another paroXysm
seized Annie, however, who refused to put on
her clothes, and 1t WAS nearly au hour before
she could be induced to dress. The mother
and daughter, in company with lady said to
be Mrs Thompson's oldest daughter, we've
hen placed in the carriage and driven to the
hospital.
This lady Is Mrs. Van Dyke, aud when
called on by reporter throw considerable
| light on the mystery. She explained that
1t was all on account of the doieate state of
hor sister Minnie's health. The mother and
Annie are of q very cxcitable nature and were
probably in state of nervous prostration
| consequent Oh their anxious attendance on
Minnie, who probably tainted on going to the
hospital, and caused her mother and sistor to
loso their reason for the time. Mrs Van Dyke is
Of very cxcitablo nature herself, as appeared
during the interview. She said that having
received dispatch about her sisters illness
on Saturday she went up to Troy on Monday
morning. On arriving at tho Mansion house
her relatives could not be found aud sho WAS
informed that they had left on the Sunday
night boat for New York.
Mrs Thompson and her daughters AMMO
and Minnie, had boon boarding until about
five weeks ago at No. "a Seventh avenue in
this city. 1ho mother and tho oder daughter
were book-canyassors, while Minnie gave
music lessons. The family attended the Rev.
DIR. Halls church and appeared highly re.
spectacle in ovory way. The youngest daugh
ter WAS in rather delicate health, and early in
July tho family left the boatdlpg.house IA
visit the AditOndacks. On Friday last the
three ladies arrived in Troy on thoir way
homo and stopped for a day at the Mansion
house in that city, whore thOy began to show
signs OF mental arrangement Their conduct
was such in Troy and Albany tat tho assst
anco of the police was required in either city
They were finally sent by boat from Albany
TO this city yesterday.