The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-03-26
PECULIAR EPISODE.
soMNAMeuLlsM EXTRAORDINARY.
An Eccentric sleep-walker Spreads n
Story of Alleged Murder and Blood
Shed-Singular Conduct Of
Sleeping Cincinnati Widow.
cincinnati EnouIrer.1

ltlnolnnau Enqulrer.I
Thursday night the family Of Mr. NJ. T.
Vandevort, of the firm Of Merrell, Vande-
wort e. Co., had quite an exciting event at
their residence, near the Presbyterian
Church in Loveland. A lady visitor and
relative Of the family arose in her sleep,
jumped from her bed-chamber window,
and was found walking down the Cincln-
natl, Washington Il Baltimore Railroad
track. The lady is q widow and Is highly
connected, and has never had any similar
experience before, although she has reach
ed nearly the age Of fifty. She seems con.
siderably embarrassed at her freak, and at
her urgent request her name is withheld.
The family had several young people as
callers during the evening, and consider
able conversation concerning the many re-
cent murders was indulged in. About
eleven o'clock the callers left for home,
and the family retired. The lady who was
the central figure in the after excitement
occupied chamber having window open
ing out to the veranda. About midnight
some Of the family we're awakened by
voices of men and the wailing Of female
voice. Mr.. Court Vandevort, the eldest
son, appeared at the window, revolver in
hand, and saw two men and a woman in
tlse street. When they caught sight Of the
weapon they retreated, making some re-
mark about one OF the murderers. Moth
ing further was heard, and the supposition
being that the parties were some belated
inebriates, the family again went to sleep.
In about half an hour the son was again
awakened, and found young army about
the house. Alarmed at the strange sight,
he ran downstairs, revolver in hand, and
found some of the parties trying to force
open tue dining.room door, while at the
same time the front door-bell was violently
ringing. The son ran from one door to an
other, determined TO keep the murderous
robbers out. Up to this time not word
had been spoken. Mr.. Nandevort, Sr.
was awakened by the noise, and inquired
what was up. A voice from outside an.
swered that the family were murdered,
aud a woman had jumped from the up
per window. Mr.. Vandevort Immediately
imagined foul scheme. Opening the
door he found crowd, headed by Officer
Martin. Mr.. Vandevort informed them
that his family were all alive and well,
and used some violent language against
the intruders, at the same time inquiring
where the woman was. He was escorted
to the residence Of Colonel Nash, and there
found his guest, who was supposed to be
sound asleep, and the family using caution
to prevent her rest from being broken
by the noise. Explanations were
in order, and were given as fol-
lows: The crew Of an eastern.bounl
freight ON the Cincinnati, Washington &
Baltimore Railroad were taking water and
receiving orders when they saw white
object coming down the track towards
them. As it drew nearer they discovered a
woman in her night-dress aud barefooted
walking over the frozen ground, through
the reezing wind. They asked her what
was the matter. She said the Vandevort
family were all murdered, and that she
had escaped by jumping from window.
When asked where the house was, she led
them toward the Vandevort residence,
making strange and pitiful noises all the
time. As they neared the house they saw
young Vandevort at the window and mis-.
took him fo' one Of the murderers.
Alarmed, they fed, and, after taking the
lady to Colonel Nash's house, they raised
a crowd, including officer Martin, and pro-
ceeded again to the house determined to
capture the murderer, with the results al.
ready stated.
The lady has no recollection Of anything
that occurred until Mr.. VSndevort spoke TO
her at Colonel Nash's. Up to that time she
had persisted that the family were all muir
dered. When awakened she again went to
bed, and yesterday did not seem to be sui-
fering any very bad results OF her remark.
able nights experience. Although weigh.
ing 2Ol pounds she escaped without q visi-
BILE injury or scratch. ..,.. .......