The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-26
CHOPPED HER CHILDREN.
Horrible Deed Of nm Insane Woman at
Lake Bay.

Tacoma. July Especial
insane ny the recent death OF her hus-
lard. Ma. Elizabeth wildgrua. Of Lake
Fay. early this morning attempted 10
murder her Two little daughters. Twice
she struck at them with a Ratchet as
they lay asleep. Both times she infsict-
ed wounds. but thanks to the darkness
Gnd her bad aim, they were light.
Awakened by the blows. the children
fed screaming from the house and took
refuge IN the forest. Later they made
their way to the nearest ueighboring
house. that or Julius Killers, a rniie dis
tant, where they were cared lor. The
elder girl received slight scalp wound
over the cccfpital bone. not severe enough
20 be dangerous, but nevertheless pain
full. The younger caild's wound was also
on the head, blf was only a scratch, the
blow being elanefng one. Both children
were covered with blood when they
reached NJ. Killers house.
The story Of the widgrubs is sad one.
They are Germans. and settled some
years ago In Lake Pay precinct. They
owned and cultivated a farm OF forty
acres Mis-. WiIdgrub. now aged about
q years. some months ago betrayed zymp-
tens OF falling mental condition. Her
husband expressed fears for her sanity.
and spoke OF the matter several times 10
the neighbours. Some weeks ago he was
taken seriously ~, and then Ii was dis
covered he had a cancer. He was re-
moved TO the Fannie Paddock hospital In
this city TO- frea .ment. The cancerous
growth had progressed too far. however
for an operation 10 be successfully per-
formed. SO none was attempted. He was
made as comfortable as possible. Last
week he died. His full name was Fred
erIck n. Wildgrub. and he was a native
of Germany.
After his death. Mrs. wIldgrub began
70 IA txa1
sanity. Last nignt she became raving
maniac. Abou. 1:3n o'clock this morn
ing. when the two children were asleep
she made the assault on them with a
Ratchet. The older girl took her sister
and succeeded In escs ping from the mad
woman. The Two children had a fearful
time Ia making their way through the
forest 70 Mr.. Killers residence. There
every care was given them. Mr.. Killers.
who Is a Justice OF the peace. aroused the
neighborhooe I'd with c. q. 1.orenz
went to the wildgruh homestead between
4 and s O'Clock this morning. There they
found Mrs. w'lderub pacing up and down
the yard She admitted having assaulted
the children with intent to murder them.
When asked her reasons, she replied in
broken English:
II am a devil myself. and i don't want
TO raise any ii.tie devils"
Upon representation that ny going TO
town sne could secure papers antnoriz-
Ing doing away with the children. she
came quietly 10 this city this morning
on the steamer Typhoon. being brought
by Mr.. Killers and Nr. 11orenz. The
elder child was also brought along TO
give testimony against her mother. AT
the wharf In this city Mrs. Wildgrub
again became violent and rayed frantical-
iy IL required the united strength Of
Under Sheriff pauihamus and he two
gentlemen who brought her over 10 keep
her from breaking away Shr was ar
raigned ir the morning before Judge
pritchard on me charge OF insanity and
was committed 10 the asylum AZ Stella
COON.
mr.. Eysrett. the county physician.
dressed the wound OF the little girl, who
told I'm the eouN room The story or her
mothers assault. The child will be cared
for by the family OF Mr.. Lorenz. and The
Younger child Will he cared for by other