New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-24
SUDDEN INSANITY IN CHURCH.
MRS. MoRDHcAT, A NIECE OF MADAME BoNAPAhiL'
STRICKEN WHILE SINGING A HYMN
IBY BYrELxGKLPH TO rHs TsfBusEI

BALTIMORE, MAY 23.-While the congrega-
ton Of the Franklin street PRESBYTERIAN Church "cie
singing the next to last hymn last Sunday evening 'he
shrl tones of woman's voice were heard Inosc !"
the front pews recognized the singer as Mrs J ha
doph Mordecai the wife of well known shipping mer-
chant. living at No OPT North Chares-sL The
Rev. Dr. W. u. Murkand, the pastor
of the church, at the hrst sounu
ofthe womans voice appeared TO become somewhat OK
cited and by his bearing showed that the interruption
caused him great distress The voice continued 10 o"e
on the last notes of the hymn after the choir ana cohe
CATION had ceased singing, and there was hurried move
ment among the other occupants OF the pew who were
evidently irving to induce Mrs. Mordecai TO be quiet
Dr. Murkland after a moments hesitation pronounced
bencdcon and dismissed the congregation before inc
closing hymn OF the service could be given Mrs Morde
cas friends then surrounded her and took her on lhe
church 10 her home. Drs. Alan 7. Smith, H. IL u WIZ
son and Francis f. Miles called and the next day
they pronounced Mrs Mordccai insane On their recon-
mendation she was removed to Spring Grove Insane
Asylum Thursday.
The sad affection which has Overtaken Mrs Moldeca
who is prominent the highest social circles, has pee
topic OF conversation among her acquaintance
since Sunday. Last week Mrs Mordecai, VINO Is eh-
tremey attractive in personal appearance and Is about
thirty years old, one OF party who went down
the bay or william II. Graham's steam yacht CLEAN.
She was OF the lvelles women on board ana c9l-
ttbuted largely TO the pleasure OF her coipaonS Sy %
the way home Il noticed thai the sun was 9ppresss 49,
vely warm aud that Mrs MOrdeca was exposed 70 lts
fu power for several hOars II is to this crcum
That the development of her mental uouoies ~
attributed. . .,u
on sunday morning while attending service al tne
Franklin Church, she did not give any evidences VI
her mental arrangement About half an hOur 3eIore ne
evening service she called on the Rev; Dr'
Murkland at his house. adjoining the OF the chrch
accompanied by her husband sister ana several oi % r
children While talking TO the minister, she suddeny
asked him to preach that night certain text Inns
Dr. Murkiand kindly declined to do saying as an exeust
that he had already prepared his discourse ana eouu
not obligc her DR. Murkland said TO night that ne sus
pcced the true state OF her mind at the time When se
begnn singing loudly in the Church on hour or so ae
hs suspicious confirmed, and he cut short his serV
ice to prevent scene. A., o.,
DR. Murklaud expressed the greatest sympathy ior
Mrs Mordeca and her family other friends 9i ,t tnc
family tonight said that they confidently hoped tha
She would shortly be restored health. Mrs. MOrdeca
is extremely wealthy. having inherited from relative
Miss Florence Patterson, large fortune 7he was
formerly a Miss Emma Patterson, and is niece OF
Madame Patterson BOnapaItc. the grandmotheI ol
Colonel jerome BOnaparc and Charles j. BGnapaIui i
In TO last Sunday Mrs Mordecai moved in society ana
entertained her friends without giving any signs OF weak
intellect The mental trouble is believed To he herdllaly
as a brother OF Mrs. Mordeca has been an inmate OF
Spril Grove for some time