The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-23
SAD CASE OF INSANITY.
Mrs. Spencer of 1414 North
Topeka Avenue
Wanders Away From Home and
Is Taken Into Custody.
Taken Care of at the Police Station
fora Short Time and Afterwards
Found by Her Husband

Mrs. Worney Spencer, wife Of an ex-
pressman of 1414 North Topeka avenue,
has lost her mind. Yesterday she
stopped Mrs. A Brubaker, who lives
IN the country north of the city, and
who had just come to the city in her
buggy, and asked that she might be
allowed to ride with her. Mrs. Bru-
baker consented. This was near Gar
field park.
Immediately upon being seated in the
buggy Mrs. Spencer turned to Mrs Bru-
baker and demanded that she drive
with her to Granville, giving some
trivial reason Cor her having to be
there The latter realized then that
the strange woman was insane. but she
did not let her know that she was bad
y frightened.
L want to go over in town first and
attend to some errands,'' said she to the
insane woman.
''All right replied the latter. Just
so as you are not all night about it. I
don't care what you do, for 1 am go
ing to Granville
The two rode from near Garfield park
to the corner of Sixth street and Kan
sas avenue, the demented woman keep
ing I'D a lively conversation. Mrs
BruOaker was thoroughly frightened
but did not dare TO call help there be
cause she was afraid the woman would
become violent. Arriving at the cor
LeE Oh sixth street she turned east and
stopped II 'front.' Of grocery store on
the north side Of the street. Both got
out of the buggy and Mrs. Brubaker
hurried away to get policeman, while
Mrs. Spencer staid near the rig. Po-
liceman Jack King was just going to
dinner and he was called to Mrs. Bru-
bakers assistance. When he came to
Mrs. Spencer, she said e1citedly to Mrs.
BrubaSer:
Here. now, come on and take me
over there
But Mrs. Brubaker had gone into
store to escape the WOman'S TRADE
The officer humored Mrs. Spencer and
took her to the police station. She
objected, but no force was necessary in
managing her. She talked incOherently
and was composed.
The officers questioned her. but she
was unable to tell anything about her
self except that her name was Spen-
Ger.
7 live on Sixth street in North To
peka," she said I have eight or nine
children. 7 don't remember which.
Won't you let me go home? They may
need me there. I thought I would walk
home if you would let me"
She was put in the wOman's ward
of the city prison There are three
coNOred women there at present
It wasn't very long until Mrs. Spen-
Ger was interestedly talking to the col
ored women. They gave her a cigar
cite. She lit it and sat on a table
putting away at it as if she were used
to doing such things every day.
To Police Matron Thorpe she said her
name was Mrs. Worney Spencer and
that she had nine children and lived in
North Topeka
My husbands name is WOrney Spen-
ce- and he drives an express wagon
she said.
DO you like those cigarettes?" asked
the reporter.
Yes, pretty we'll
How long have you smoked theme
'Oh, I don't know; long time,
guess
You never take morphine, do your
mo, thank you" replied she, with a
look OF disgust.
Mrs. Spencer is a small woman CT
perhaps 80 years She has the ap-
pearance of having been a hard work
ing woman. She was dressed poorly.
and her entire appearance was that OF
cne deranged.
Her eyes followed every moving OBJ
jact as if beWildered She did not he
come violent, but insisted on being re-
leased. Chief Gardiner thought that
She was not dangerous, SO he let her go.
With a polite bow TO the officers Mrs.
Spencer left the police station and
walked slowly toward the river.
A short time afterWaTd her hUS Oand,
Worney Spencer, arrived at the police
station and inquired as to his wife's
whereabouts. When told that she had
been released he started north in his
express wagon at a rapid rate. He
overlook his wife near the bridge and
took her to his home at 1414 North To-
peka avenue