The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-12-25
STRUCK Ills MOTHER,
An Insane Son Strikes His Mother with
d. POker. 80 SIC f-..

. . o
PlrrsDuRoH, Pa, Dec. 24.--A terrible
assault was perpetrated by an insane son
on his aged mother in Allegheny this
morning, and the chances are that the
poor woman's life will be sacrificed to the
maniacal frenzy Of ono whom shehas loved
and cared for during years of insanity.
Mrs. Bartl, the victim OF the assault, is
q widow, and resides at 2l2 franklin
street. Her son William has been Insane
tor along time, hut was never considered
dangerous. lie was afflicted with melan.
choly, but never troublesome. lie occu.
pied room next his mothers, but was
not confined. About o'clock this morn.
ing his mother raped on his door and
told him it was time to get up. He open.
ed the door, and without warning struck
his mother cruel blow on the forehead
with an iron poker he Ind concealed be.
hind him. He followed up the attack
with perfect shower ofblows, anddanced
around her in maniacal frenzy, striking
her viciously on the face and head, and
bringing the blood at every stroke.
When he accomplished his work
his frenzy seemed TO die out, and
leaving his mother senseless and with her
life. blood flowing out in crimson pool
on the floor, he prepared his breakfast.
Som" nr'"hbOrs who heard the struggle
and frantic screams OF the woman when
she was attacked, apprchended, what was
wrong and sent for the patrol wagon.
Detectives Braun, kornman, and Officers
Elchenlaub and Ditmar went TO the place
and desperate struggle ensued. Barth
ls Il: powerful man, and his fury lent him
additional strength. Detective kornman
and Officers Eichcnlaub and Ditmar seized
and attempted 10 get him into the patrol
wagon. They struggled out to the front
stems, where Barth slipped and fell on his
back, aud even then the four officers had
as much as they could do to .handcuG him.
When the officers went to the house he
was seated ut the table with bowl OF cof-
fee before him. He spoke to the officers
and said: "You attend to the old lady
there" pointing TO his mother, 'sand III
get the fires ready" Had he not been
taken unawares, he would not have been
captured
Mrs. Barth was carried to Urben's drug
store near by, aud DR.. Sarver attended
her. He found her face gashed and cut
in innumberable places from forehead to
chin, il done by q knife, the top Of her
head beaten to n jelly, her forehead a
mass OF cut and bruises, and the skull
fractured, and dozen cashes OH the back
OF the head. She was bleeding profusely,
and her eyes had been beaten ont OF their
sockets. She is in very serious condi-
tion, and from her age, about 10 years, it
will 60 hard with her.
Barth is about IS years old, and we'll
educated. He was carpenter by trade,
and about ten years ago had his skull
fractured by brick which fell from now
house. A piece Of the bone was removed,
and even after he was not altogether right
in his mind. lie acted .queerly and was
full OF melancholy, but otherwise gave no
indication that he would harm anyone.
lie did not seem 10 realize what lie had
done, and apparently thought the injuries
to his mother had been inflicted by some
one else. When put in the cell he was
very quiet. In his pocket was pocket
book stuffed with tags another; with cuff
buttons and, other nick-nacks, cheap
watch and apiece Of paper with the in
scription, "keep out Of my way" He will
be kept in the lookup until the result OF
his mothers injuries are known.