New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-28
INSANE OVER HER FINE HAIR
BLEACHING Her locks TURNS HER HEAD.
MISS sHyEHAS THINKS THAT MEX ARE TRYING TO
STEAL HER BLONDE IREssEs.

BLEACHING EER LOUIS TURNS HEIR HEAD.
MISS sHgEHAS THINKS THAT MEX ARE TRYING TO
STEAL HER BLONDE IREs5rs.
Amelia sheehan is tall, vel-formed, muscular
woman and few years ago her pTepqssessing lace
,yes f,conently sceu on the Harlem River, as she
cot IN a Shell and drove it through the water with
n speed that made many a piucky eafsDan Urea 10
fellow her She led the fleet OF roTors IN mum
her Of repettas that gotten up fOr women only
and Am unrght piano, several gold watches and a
number of medals were the prizes brought to her
by her skill But her pride vas not IN hef strength
aubnrn halr that fell gracefully over her shoulders
caused her to forget her muscular ps~er
for her har was ncf t,o GneI PRICE of
the Female Alcoholic Ward at Bellevue Hospital,
sbout four years ago. Miss Sheehan was appointed
10 eli the position. She became fayolite at once
It'll ajl the employees at Bellevue and rendered
excellent service in hcr department. She was able
10 manage the wolaen In her charge who were
crazed by rum by her VOICE and imposing presence
and never resorted to violence. 1t soon became
known among the hospital attendants that Miss
sbeehan had an unusual t9nG1eSs fof i her na'
one and all took occasion TO speak to her frequently
about its color and quantity She wore itcolled III
large bunch at the back of her head and IL was cut
in front so that 1t hung In nnglets upon her lore
head $50 . 49,, l., A.. Lo ,o-r
Miss Sheehan that the color OF her hair was chang
mo from reddish crown to Il blonde color and 1t
finally became the golden shade that is used to in
spire The muse of poets She was frequently seen
washing and drying her hair in the ward and she
had si a nambcr Of Bottles of hair wash on shelf
in her room This change in color added to The
and the subject was frequently DIS
cussed in her presence mqch TO hef
delight and she kept on washing her HAIR and 1t
fenf on growing lighter. During the last SIX
mnnths Whenever Miss Sheehan went to visit her
father and her brothers there was strangeneSs ard
restraint in her actions that made her appear like
dferent nrl from the merry hearted one that used
10 row her boat from Wards Island over TO the city
with her father, who was the gardener on INC
p1,ott Al a la
that there was change noticed III her actions at
fhe hospital. For a long time she had had the
Ihat all people who take cars of the insane &C.
QuiIe, but as 1t was g common thing
nothing was thought Of it, Miss SheGhan first be-
Gan TO complain of terrible headaches a{tcr
Gambling ler HAIR in he mOrning,and during the day
wOuld Frequently hold hcrheadtighhtly between ner
hands Ibongh advised to take something TO re-
lieve her sufeings she steaaiy refused and always
remarked that she wOu ID soon he all right.
About ten days ago she went to her er home having
main away all night. When she came back to the
hospital IN the morning her face was flushed
and she was gIgaiy e&ci ,ean h Sdo SAM Ialn
seat nv her side In the street car and had tired 10
cut off her hair with knife. Her story was lot
dOubied as she appeared perfectly rational. She
snokc abont the occurrence several times after
ward and always became excited aud gave an eX-
hihtion of TENDER that had never been seen before
I'm her She was also moody at times and the
patients in her ward seemed TO appreciate that
there was some change in The keeper; and would
time she would not apparently n0ilce the infringe
ments upon the rules that she had made, and then
suddcnly she would seem TO recall her position ana
dufy and would go around stralgh' enlUg
nm things with unusual energy. About
week ago at midnight she came run
ring from her ward which is on tho ground floor,
10 the receptiOu-TOOm, and announced to captain
Donovan. who was on the night watch, IN wiz
manner and with a voice OF terror that there was
STRANGE man in the ward aud that he had made an
attenpt to steal her hair while she was asleep In
her char. Captain Donovan aud two ordcrhes
started for the ward armed with clubs ana othcr
wcapons but after the most dllieent search they
failed 10 find either the man or the hole through
which Miss Sheehan sad he had escaped. After be-
ing assured that a close watch would be Kept Tor
the man she became quiet and remained with her
dejirous companions during the night,
Tie next day she got permit 10 Visit some
friends in the city. On her cut Of the hospital
grounds when she came near to the large gate, sne
Threw no her hands aud ran back few PAGES, look
ing wildly over her shoulder at the gate. An o.
derly ran to her ard she told him that there was
man outside waiting with large bag and knife.
not only to cut of her hair, but her head The sus-
picious that had been aroused by her actions were
Confirmed when she was taken back TO the Office
and questioned by DR.. WildmaD, who has charge
ct the insane pavilion. She talked IN rambling
way about being persecuted, chased by women
following her all the time with bags to
XII her and carry her away. she was sent 10
fhe insane pavilion and her father came after
her and took her home. But alter TWO DAYS
she became unmanagea6le ana was Drousni Dac6
To the HOSPITAL and then transferred TO the insane
nsylum at Wards Island, close by her OLD nome
TfIs doubt ful whether she can be cured. She has
brother in the same institution whose mind Is al
fected and 1t is believed the antlmOuy III the wash
that she used on her haT developed her hereditary
tendency TO insanity aud wrecked her strongphysi-
ca constitution and apparently well-Dalanced
mind.