Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-01-14
ALONE WITH A MANIAC.
SSEA8 F---~~s + sssks gs
an Hour Of H0rror-TerrEbIe Ex-
Perience of a Providence Lady.
Providence Journal.

A few days ago, wiIne a lady OF our
city Of artistic taste and habits was
walking leisurely along Fifth avenue,
New York, she noticed q sign OF an ar
lists studio, whereHpon she entered an
open door, assembled one flight of stairs,
raped at the artists door, heard the
words Come in, and entered spacious
room, elegantly furnished. Its high
windows were richly draped with heavy
curtains, fine pictures were hung upon
the walls, and standing on the floor was
an easel, after the fashion of most artists.
In the room sat man alone, with over
coat and hat on, immovable, and with
eyes glaring fiereely on his visitor, as if
enraged at her intrusion, but not utter
ing word. A few moments passed she
made a casual remark in regard to some
picture, when he suddenly jumped from
his seat, rushed upon her, seized her by
the throat, his eyes glaring wildly and
his features indicating the fiercest excite
ment, and exclaimed, madly: Now /
have you have been looking for you
for the last ten years, and now | have
got you. and I'll kill you. Atfirst the
shock to her was terrible and over
whelming, and she became quite uncon-
scious: but, recovering herself little,
she struggled, screamed and entreated,
but 10 no purpose He clung to her
throat with one hand, and with the other
tried to fill her mouth with her clothing.
Finally, having loosed his hold, he rush
ed to the door, locked it. seized a large
knife and began TO sharpen it upon his
shoe, telling her that her time had come
and that she must prepare to meet her
God; that he was going to cut her into
inches. She fell upon her knees, prayed,
entreated, told him of her husband and
child, and wept in the widest agony,
fully believing that her time had come,
that she must die, but with no avail.
He continued his preparation in the most
violent excitement. He told her that he
should put her body in the large stove in
his room and burn it tup Finally, over
come by excitement, she sank upon the
floor. AT this the rage Of the madman
seemed TO subside a little Still, he con.
tinued his threats and preparations. AT
Ter having recovered little from her ex.
haustion, having now been in the
clutches of the lunatIc for over two
hours, during which time she had suf-
fered untold agony, she now entreated
him to give her some food or something
to revive her. 1t was about six o'clock
in the evening. He then went to the
door, saying tnat he was going TO get
something for himself, unlockedit, open
ed it, went out, and locked the door be.
hind him.
Alone in the room, she screamed at
the top of her voice, hoping she might
bring some one to her rescue, but to no
avail. He soon returned, still threaten
if1ar hnr mil Mt &c oh
silent. The fiend seemed to have no
other purpose but to torment her, or to
take her life. Finally he told her that if
she would take his arm and 90 quietly
down stairs, she could go. Hope now
would do anything. He accordingly
street. She felt ltineypressible relief, hav-
to extricate herself, but he threatened to
dash her brains out against the walls of
the building, unless she went quietly.
She told him that she wanted to take an
''up town car" He said, "I'll go with
you. I'll follow you to the ends of the
earth" lie entered the car with her, sat
down by her side and appeared perfectly
sane. He paid her fare and never utter
ed word unJil she got out of the car.
He followed her, and, on arriving at her
residence, said to her: You must be
at my place tomorrow at eleven o'clock.
shall follow you. You can't live with
out me-. She then opened the door and
closed it upon him with unutterable re-
lief Thus she was once more free from
the clutches of maniac, and escaped
impending death. The affair occurred
near the Fifth Avenue Hotel. The man
was thin and spare, above the medium
height, of sandy complexion, bald, wore
moustache-she thinks-was richly
dressed, wore diamond bosom studs, and
nicely fitted buff gloves These he put
on carefully when he went out.