Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-27
TIRED OF LIFE.
A Strange Mrs. Smith Makes n Des-
perate Attempt at Suicide.

perate Attempt mt Suicide.
Mrs. Margaret or Theodore Smith yester-
day made a desperate attempt at suicide at
the Baltimore and Potomac depot by throw
ing herself between the cars of the train
leaving here at 3:15. just as it was pulling
out. Fortunately, Mr.. Max Sellhausen, one
of the employees. had been noticing her ac-
lions, and. following her. seized and dragged
her out and she was sent to the sixth pre-
cinct station and placed in charge of the
matron. AS far as known she has been in
the city for a week or two, and last week
she called several times at police head
quarters and asked the assistance Of In
spector Hollinberger to get something to
do and a place to stop. She stated that
she was a trained nurse and had papers to
show that she had been recommended by
DR.. c. A. Belden of Jamaica, N. Y, and
the inspector gave her a list of hospitals
and she went off. Returning again she was
directed to the Woman's Christian Home
and stopped there for a day or two, but
leaving. she called on Lieut.. Gessford of
the eighth precinct. She stated to the lieu
tenant that she was a native Of Denmark
and had brother, Axell Bohrer, employed
in the Brooklyn navy yard, and he advised
her to return to New York. Yesterday she
again appeared in Inspector Hollinbergers
office. who gave her similar advice, and
she left, as was supposed, to take a train
She had with her small satche, and it
appears that she went direct to the Balti-
more and Potomac depot and purchased
a ticket and walked uneasily about the
rooms, now and then, as the trains were
called, going on the PLATFORM but failed to
get out until about o'clock.
Mr.. Sellhausen and others had noticed
her queer actions, and when she passed
through the gate Mr.. Sellhausen kept his
eyes upon her On going toward the train
she dropped her valise, which Mr.. Sell
hansen picked up, and she walked on, Mr.
Sellhausen following her, and when in about
the middle of the train she stopped, SEEM
ingly meditating, and as the satchel was
handed to her she dashed against the side
of the car, which had just started, and was
thrown several feet. Hastily rising she
ran toward the opening between the cars,
but Mr.. Sellhausen grasped and held her
While she frantically fought to break away
from him. With force and persuasion she
was gotten into the waiting room, and
Officer Costello took her in charge, and she
was sent to the station. She refused TO
give her name, and seemed stupcfied. and
all that could be obtained from her was
that she was nurse and had been here for
about two weeks. The matron put her to
bed, but she was unable to sleep. and beg
ged for opium or morphine enough to kill
her. When her valise was examined no
Clue as to who she was could be obtaine ed
till the name of Smith was found on her
clothing, and she then said her full name
was Theodore Smith. and she had been
married and had a child living. She then
begged for morphine. saying that she would
be dead by morning. DIR. Johnson was
later called to see her. and could only learn
that she wanted to see a priest or Metho-
dist minister. and that her parents lived
In Copenhagen. DR.. Johnson was of the
opinion that she had taken a dose of choral
during the day with intent to take her life
ard that she was slightly deranged.
She was attired in a suit of black hem
rietta cloth. is five feet three inches in
height. slight build, and a pleasant, intel
ligent looking woman.
DR.. hewitt this morning examined Mrs.
Smith, and was of the opinion that she is
suffering from the effects of some strong
drug. and as he could not say that she is
insane he recommended that she be sent
to the Washington Asylum Hospital to
await developments. Sanitary officer Frank
had her sent there today.