Los Angeles herald., 1891-09-07
A FONDNEss FOR DRUGS.
THE STRANGE BEHAVIOR OF YOUNG
MRS. CHARLES GEORGE.
She Takes Two Doses of Sulphuric Ether,
Jumps From Moving Train and Stabs
Herself With Hat Pin.

A few minutes before the hour Tor the
departure of the San Francisco train
yesterday afternoon hack drove up to
the Arcade depot and young woman
and two young men alighted and boarded
Pullman.
The train pulled out with all three
aboard, but at San Fernando one of the
young men got off, and at Tropico the
other left the train, after requesting the
car porter to see to the comfort of the
young woman during the trip.
The south-bound San Francisco train
passes the north-bound at siding near
West Glendale. That station had just
been reached and the train brought to a
stop to allow passenger to get off when
the young woman jumped up from her
seat and rushed wildly from one end of
the car to the other as though in search
of some one.
The train started up and before any
one could divine her intention she
rushed the entire length of the car and
out on the platform and flung herself
headlong from the steps. The train
was moving quite rapidly and instead of
stopping, the crew shouted to brake
man of the southbound train to look
after the woman.
She laid by the side of the track as
though dead The brakeman picked
her up and, assisted by others, carried
her back to the train, which immedi-
ately pulled out for this city. The girl
was not over twenty or twenty-five
years of age and quite pretty. Her
actions were such as to give the i'm
preston that she was insane, and all
the way back she was in Mysteries.
At Tropico, the young man who had
been her companion, boarded the train
and was surprised to learn that
she was on the way back. At CONNER
Girl street he secured carriage and tax
ing the girl, drove to st. Pauls hospital,
at the corner of Hill and Sixteenth
streets, where he obtained room for
her and left. The police department
was informed OF the occurrence by the
trainmen and made an investigation.
The young woman's name is Mrs.
Charles George, and the story of her life
is a sad one. She is very we'll known in
this city, her acquaintance and friends
being among the best people here. Her
maiden name was Sayler, and about
three years ago she lived in East Los
Angeles with her mother, who is now
Mrs. Ezra Clark. Her home is now in
San Francisco.
She arrived in this city Saturday,
August 29th, intending to spend some
time with friends. She took room at
one of the principal hotels, and ap-
peared to be very jolly and contented.
big dose of sulphuric ether either by ac-
cident or with suicidal intent. Her
friends secured a physician and after
hard work she was brought around all
right.
1t was then thought she had attempt
ed suicide, but later events tend to show
that she was addicted to the use of
stimulants and drugs. On the Wedes-
day following she took another dose of the
poison, and at the advice of physicians
she was removed to the Catholic Sisters
hospital, but remained there only one
day, her friends securing room and
providing a nurse to care for her.
The young man who placed her on the
train yesterday notified her mother of
the woman's illness, and was requested
to care for her until some one could ar
rive from the north. Her mother was
taken sick and could not come. Several
days ago she expressed desire to re-
turn home, and upon this request the
young man arranged for her to leave
yesterday, and started her on her jour
ney as stated above. While on the
carriage on the way to St. Paul's hos
pital the woman attempted to stab her.
self with long hat pin, but inflicted
nothing but mere scratch.
A HERALD reporter called at the hos
pital last evening but was denied an
interview with the woman. 1t was
stated, however, by those in charge,
that the case is undoubted-
ly one of alcoholism or some
similar disease which has affected her
reason. No ineligible statement could
be obtained from her. At one time she
said the young man who placed her in
the hospital was her cousin, and later
she denied this statement. In reality
he is not related to her.
Her condition is such that she cannot
be left alone for any length of time, her
attendants fearing she will attempt sui
eide. In response to a telegram sent
yesterday afternoon, her stepfather sent
word he would arrive in this city Tues
day morning to take her home. Her
relatives, in San Francisco, are said to
be estimable people and move in good
society.