The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1893-02-16

tressed condition on Main street, Monday
night, and The other was Mrs. Amelia Freder-
icks of West Centre street, who has lost her
mind.
The case of Mrs. Fredericis has many
pathetic features. She is midde-aged
woman of neat appearance and was living
with her husband and three children. The
woman has the reputation of having been a
good wife, an excellent housekeeper and a
very agreeable neiehbor, but of late her mind
has given signs of rapid weakening.
The woman seems to have been afflicted
with a mania for destroying every thing by
fire and her husband and neighbors have
been in constant dread the past few weeks
that she would set her house on fire. OF late
Mrs Fredericks The unlortunate woman
seemed to suspect this and the mania seemed
| to increase in effect,
After resorting to every means in his power
TO keep the poor woman under watch and
prevent her from doing anything that might
endanger the lives of the children and the
neghboIs the husband discovered that his
wife was making preparations to evade the
watchfulness The husband became dis
couraged and finally concluded that it would
be better for all concerned to have the woman
committed to the insane department Of the
almshouse at Schuylkill Haven.
This morning Messrs. Smith and Derr went
to the Fredericks residence and took ca arge of
the unfortunate woman. Both officials hope
they will never be obliged to witness such a
scene again. It was pathetic in the extreme
| When they called at the house Mrs Frede-
ricks received them in a very pleasing and
social manner. When they announced then
object she took in the situation at glance
and obeyed The request of the husband and tw,
women neighbors to get ready" without any
objection, or any attempt to create a scene
The three children, ranging from one and 4
half to six years of age were in the room
which the officials entered
Having attired herself Mrs Fredericki
turned to the officials and said, "Let me kis
the children" The request was readily
granted. The next moment the poor woman
was upon her knees, sobbirg as if her hear
would break and trying to embrace and covel
the faces of the three children with kisses al
one time. She seemed perfectly sane and
fully realized her position, and she tried tC
console the weeping husband and neighbor.
by telling them that perhaps it was for the
best; that after being away for a while she
would become a better woman.
Messrs Smith and Derr were as patient a,
circumstances would permit and did moi
interfere until they were obliged to start foi
The train. Mrs. Fredericks then parted witt
her family in the most aliectionate manner
and without offering the slightest resistance
or protestation5 left the house with the
officials. When reporter saw the woman on
the train she occ lpied seat beside Bnrges,
Smith. She was perfectly calm and said
nothing, bat paid strict attention to every.
thing the Burgess and Mr.. Derr said.
johnny Mack, the boy vagrant, occupied
a scat with Mr. Derr in front of that occu-
pied by Mrs Fredericlls. All efforts to find
the parents or other relatives of the boy have
! failed and no satisfactory answers have been
received to the 'etters sent out by the Chief
Burgess Efforts TO locate them will be kept
up and meantime the boy Will be cared for
at Sehuyikill Haven.