The San Francisco call., 1895-12-30
A MAD GIRL IN THE PARK
A Damsel of Fourteen Becomes
Insane While Out Walking
and Runs Away.
Praying and Singing in the Office of
the Captain of the Park
Police.

There was unusual excitement in Golden
Gate Park yesterday afternoon, and those
who saw and understood the cause OF il
were saddened.
Shortly after o'clock Officers Kenny
and DoDbin were approached by two
women, who were considerably excited
One of them informed the officers that heI
sister, who was subject to fits, had run of
into the brush south of the Alvord lakelet
The officers went in the direction pointed
out and in few moments saw the girl
whose description they had, running across
the park at breakneck pace, yelling at the
top of her voice that some one wanted to
steal her papa. The officers followed, but
it was not until Betsy avenue, near the
main drive, that Officer Kenny overlook
her.
When he laid hands to detain her, her
face became livid, her eyes started from
their sockets, her lips were covered with
foam, and it became apparent that the Off
Ger had mad girl to deal with.
''Lu, what is the matter with your
asked the sister.
The question did not bring response
from the unfortunate girl. She glared al
every one, shrieked for her papa, then
threw herself on the grass plot, and with
her gloved hand commenced to tear up
grass and throw it in all directions, shrek
ing all the while. When an attempt was
made to raise her to her feet, she tore a
Tam O'Shanter cap from her head and a
wealth of black ringlets fell down her back
and on her shoulders. She became SO
violent that it required several men to
hold her. At last staIwart member OF
the mounted police rode up, and, seizing
the girl from behind. pinioned her arms
and carried her bodily, despite her violent
struggles and cries, to the main drive,
where he halted buggy that was passing,
placed the girl in it and was driven to the
station, where she was turned over to
Captain Thomson.
The girl stamped about the station and
two or three times made movements that
indicated that she wanted to jump through
a window, but the captain, divining her
purpose. watched her to prevent any such
act. She talked incoherently, and at times
was as wild as ever an insane person was,
and her somewhat pretty features at times
became almost demoniacal.
The captain, knowing that people with
unbalanced minds sometimes act Curl
ously, told her she could not write, at the
same time handing her pad of paper and
a pencil. She took this and wrote on it.,
"Lu Carly" Then he asked her if she
her face lighted up with CLEAN of intelli-
geRce and folding her hands in attitude of
prayer stood before the captain and re-
peated the Lords prayer, not emitting one
word, adding with great deal of fervency,
80, good Lord, save my papa and do not
let him die, FOR | love my papa. Make
me good girl The last word had
hardly passed her lips when she sprang
away and ran around the room singing
Daisy Bell" at the top of her voice.
When her sister and lady friend came
into the station the poor girl did not rec
ognize either The sister agreed to take
the unfortunate creature home, and was al
lowed to do so, an officer in plain clothes
accompanying them.
1t appears that the girl, who is but IA
years OF age, the daughter of respectable
parents, has been affected IN her mind for
some time. and was kept under surveiI-
lance and treatment. She seemed to i'm
prove, and as she had been very quiet her
sister thought she would take her to the
park. Suddenly she became wild again,
ran away and acted in the manner de-
scribed.