Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-06-05
A SAD AFFLICTI0N.
Sensation IN n Baltimore ChurcIE--A
Niece OfWadame Bonaparte Stricken
with Insanity while Singing a
HYMN

Sensation IN n Baltimore ChurcIE--A
Niece OfIadame BonapaFte Stricken
with Insanity while singing
Hymn.
While the congregation of the
Franklin Street Presbyterian Church
Baltimore, were singing the next to
the last hymn last Sunday evening,
the shrill of a woman's voice was
heard Those in the front pews soon
recognized the singer as Mrs. j. Ran
doleh MOrdecai, the wife Of a we'll
known shipping merchant. Rev. DIR.
W. U. Murkland, the pastor of the
church, at the first sound OF the WON
ans voice appeared to become some
what excited, and by his bearing
showed that the interruption caused
him great distress. The voice con-
tinuod to dwell on the last notes Of
the hymn after the choir and 5congra-
cation had ceased singing, and there
was ? hurried movement among the
other occupants of the pc ", who were
evidently trying to induce Mrs. Nor
decai to be quiet. DR.. Murkland,
after a moments hesitation, pronoun-
ced the benediction and dismissed the
congregation before the closing hymn
Of the service could be given. Mrs.
MOrdecaI's. friends,suTeunded her and
took her from the church to her home.
DR.. Alan p Smith, III. r.. G. Wilson
and Francis u. Miles was called, and
the next day they pronounced Mrs.
Mordecai insane On their recon-
mendation she was removed to Spring
Grove Insane Asylum on Thursday.
The sad affection which has over
taken Mrs. Mordecai who is promin-
emit in the highest social circles, has
been The main topic of conversation
among her acquaintance since Sun
day. Last week Mrs. Mordecai, who
is extremely attractive in personal
appearance is about 81 years old, was
of party who went down the bay on
WillianpH. Graham's steam yacht
Clean She was Que Of the hveliest
women on board, and contributed
largely to the pleasure of her COM
panions by her bright, cheerful bear
ing and genial good humor. On the
way home it was noticed that the sun
vas oppr essively warm and that Mrs.
Mordeoai was exposed to its power for
several hours. 1t is to this circum
stance that the development of her
mental troubles is attributed.
On Sunday morning while attend
ing services at the Franklin Street
Church, she did not give any evidences
of her mental arrangement. About
half an hour before the evening ser
vice she called on Rev. DR.. Murkland
at his house, adjoining the rear of the
church, accompanied by her husband,
sister and several of ncr children.
While talking to the minister, she
suddenly asked him TO preach that
night on a certain text. This DR..
Murkand kindly declined to do, say
ing as an excuse that he had already
prepared his discourse, and could not
oblige her Dr. Murkland said to-
night that he suspected the true state
of her mind at the time. When she
began singing so loudly in the church
an hour or two later, his suspicious
were confirmed and he cut short his
service to prevent a scene.
DR.. Murklana expressed the great
est sympathy for Mrs. Mordeeai and
her family. Other friends of the
family said that they confidently
hoped that she woeld shortly be re-
stored to health. Mrs, Mordecai is
extremely wealthy, having inherited
from a relative Miss Florence Patter-
son, a large fortune. She was for
merly a Miss Emma Patterson, and is
a niece of Madame Patterson Bona
parte, the grandmother of Colonel
Jerome Bonaparte and Charles J.
Bonaparte. Up to last Sunday Mrs
Mordecai moved in society and eater
tanned her friends without giving any
signs Of weak intellect The mental
trouble is believed to be hereditary,
as a brother of Mrs Mordecai has
been an inmate Of Spring Grove for
some time.