The herald., 1893-06-09
SHE HAD NO SHELTER OR FOOD.
Mrs. Tischhauser for Two Weeks
Was in Hiding.
She Lived Outdoors and Was Found
in Haystack.
The Strange Story Of the Experience of
an Escaped Patient from the
County Hospital - A
Sad Story.

A report of the. finding by Deputy
Sheriff Davis on Wednesday of Mrs.
Tiechhauser, an escaped inmate of the
county hospital, appeared in yesterdays
HERALD. She was discovered in a hay
stack about a quarter OF mile from the
hospital, and was in O very emaciated
condition, and stated that she had been
hiding in the canon leading from the
Arroyo Seco. During her absence che
had subsisted on nothing but water. She
had gotten rid OF her baby and was glad
to come home.
The case is an unusually snd one, the
woman clearly being insane and is alec
about to become a mother.
About a year ago Prof. Hebler, the
German professor who recently commit
ted suicide, swore to a. complaint charg-
| ing Mrs. Tischhouser with ineanity.
| She was examined by commission,
which recommended that she be kept at
the county hospital. She remained
there for some time and was released
| upon recommendation OF an attending
physician.
Nothing further was heard of her till
some months ago when the same Prof.
Hebler had her bound over to keep the
peace, che being incarcerated in the
county jail. While there she and the
mstron did not agree, and Mrs. Tisch
hauser WAS finally transferred to the
county hospital again.
The sheriff's official here had charge
OF her. She was always very quiet and
unassuming and was given the freedom
OF the grounds. She would walk about
the place and never made any attempt
to abuse the privilege. Several weeks
ago, as the time for her confinement APP
preached, she Was transferred from the
insane ward to the woman's department.
The privilege OF the establishment was
still allowed her and there was no per-
ceptibie change in her mind. She
any person and rarely spoke unless pre-
viously addressed. To all intents and
purposes she seemed perfectly satisfied
with her surroundings.
HER ESCAPE.
Two weeks ago, however, che left the
hospital, and was in hiding until found
last Wednesday by Deputy Sheriff
Davis. She wore calico dress, low
ehoes, straw hat, small cape and light
under garmentE. During all the time
abe was away she slept out OF doors and
almost starved. He principal hiding
place WISE in the vicinity of Highland
park and Sycamore grove. Reports were
heard of her quite frequently. She
would invariably run away whenever
che saw any pcrsons and would not suf-
fer them to approach her.
On the first Sunday after her escape
she took up quarters by the side of an
old stone wall near Sycamore grove,
grove, whore she remained until the
following Friday evening. She disap-
peared then, and was not seen except by
few people living in the arrnYo.
The sherif7s deputies made numerous
excursions in search of her, but she
eluded. them at all times. Places where
she had eamped and built fire were
found. The remains OF cooked potatoes
and partially eaten chicken were also
encountered.
FOUND IN HAYRTACKs
Finally Deputy Sheriff Davis found
her in hay stack, near the east side
reservoir, on Wednesday,. She had COW
cred oil but her her head with the hay
and was asleep. When aroused she
manifested little annoyance at being
disturbed and asked why che had been
awakened. The officer told her they
wanted her to go back to the hospital.
She then got into the wagon without
any assistance and allowed herself to be
driven to the institution. In her pos
session WAS bottle of water which che
'insisted was all she had taken in the
I way of nourishment since her escape.
oh A., y,
cared for, and wGs questioned as to why
she bad run away. She said that her
God told her to go away. but were you
not lonesome by yourself in the woods ?"
asked Or. HsgAn."
"No, she repliedS "my baby and 1
were with my God"
The reason she had left was, she said,
because she wanted to escape from her
husband. He had been unkind to her,
and she did not want to see him any
more. She WAS worn out from lack of
food but, strange to relate, had taken
no cold or apparently contracted any
sickness from her exposure. At times
che talks intelligently upon any topic
at others her mind wandere vaguely,
She still shows the same reticence and
disinclination to talk, and refused TO see
her husband who called yesterday.
AT THE HOSPITAL.
A HERALD reporter went to the hos.
pital yesterday, and in company with
DR.. Hagan, the superintendent of the
institute, was permitted to talk with
MYs. Tischchauser.
She was In one of the confinement
rooms and was in bed. Her health
seemed to be good and her spirits were
entirely subdued. She is rather good
looking woman, and was clearly a
bright person before her present mental
trouble. She still showed the same dis
inclination to talk, but said clearly that
che had no desire to live. 1t is very
probable that if the means lay at her
hand she would take her life.
DR.. Hagan first stepped into the room,
and with pleasant greeting said, "How
are you today?"
"Oh," she replied, 81 am very we'll"
'Here is a gentleman who wants to
wants to ask you about why you ran
away" ssid DR.. Hagan, who then intro
duced the reporter.
Mrs. Tischhsuser's face instantly
frightened and she gave pleasant nod