The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-15
MADE HAVOC.
Interior of A. A. RObinsOn's
Fine House
Made a Scene Of Wreck and De-
structiOn
BY INSANE VAGARIES
Of Mrs. Ida Wellman, a Friend
of the Family,
Who Had Been Left in Charge
Of the Mansion.
SHE ORDERS CHANGES.
And Carpenters Chop, Saw and
Tear Down
Until All is i'm a Mess-UnfOrtu-
nate Woman Arrested.

The interior Of the handsome home Of
A A. Robinson on the southeast corner
OF Tyler and Ninth streets has been
changed by cutting away the walls be-
tween the rooms. The costly furniture
OF the mansion lies piled upon itself in
a tangled mass in the bath rooms and
closets. and confusion reigns every
where
This is the work Of Mrs Ida Well
man. whom the Robinson family left
in charge Of the place. She was de-
clared insane this morning ia the pro
bate court.
Mrs Wellnan Is a friend OF the fam
lily, and when Mr. Robinson went to
Boston and his wife to San Francisco
she was put in fun control She is
renned looking woman of 80 years OF
age, who was last July divorced from
A o. Wellman, bookkeeper of the treas
ury department OF the Santa be- Her
II year old daughter lives with her
Five years ago she suffered an attack
OF dementia- but nothing like the pres
ent collapse.
Three weeks ago she first began to
have radical and unnecessary changes
made in the house. AS she was the
mistress there none of the other occu-
pants of the house, servants and 9TH
ers thought anything was wrong But
it came to the ears of B. It. Lewis. for
merly Mr. Robinson s private secretary
and now assistant to General Mana
ger j. J. Frey of the Santa Fe- He inn
madiately wrote to Mr.. Robinson the
condition of affairs and himself order
ed the carpenters to stop WOrlr
Later came a message that If Mrs.
Wellman was 50 badly unbalanced to
nave her taken care or Last night
Mr.. Lewis sWOre out the complaint be-
fore Probate Judge Wood
Carpenters had already done hun
dreds of dollars worth of work, and
much more damage. Upstairs they had
cut out big places in the walls between
various rooms. Two rooms had been
thrown into one by Mrs Weuman's or
ders. This was to be arranged for Miss
Robinson. The floor was to be taken
UP and tiling was ordered in its place.
Costly wall paper was sent for from
New York, and arrived today to paper
this room The whole upstairs has
been cut through in most ruthless
manner
Deputy Sheriff Frank Leech and
Jailer Larry Sheehan went to the house
about o'clock last night with a war
rant to take Mrs. WeIIman into custO-
dy and take her to Jail to await her
trial She was not there at the time
but soon came in. Mr. Sheenan had
his doubts about taking her to the
prison, and sent out for Judge Albert
Horton and others at her request.
Judge Horton was indignant as he
had not the faintest suspicion of Mrs
Wellman's condition.
What are you here for?" he de-
manded of the jailer. This woman is
not insane"
IT was sent here to arrest her as
such.'' replied Sheehan-
1t seems to me that this is a very
curious proceeding
Il am only here to do my duty as an
officer"
Where are your papers?'' demanded
the judge.
Mr.. sheenan produced his warrant,
and Judge Horton read it. Mrs. Well
man then began to talk. She ran on
uninterruptedly for a long time. A
SURPRISED look came over the judges
face and he took Mr.. Sheehan apart
and explained to him that he had
simply been mistaken as to the wOm-
1t was finally decided that Deputy
Sheriff John Jones should stay at the
house to guard her, and he was there
all last night and today He is ac-
uuafnted with Mrs. Wellman. and she
does not worry under his care. The
trial this morning was held without
her presence in court
The phase of Mrs Wellman's insanity
is religion and charitable work. She
breaches. prayS and sings almost con-
tinOusly. Jones has not had mo-
ment's sleep. He follows her all over
the large residence, fearing that at any
moment her malady may take violent
and dangerous form. At o'clock this
morning Mrs. Wallnan was UP singing
and praying.
A reporter was at the Robinson resi-
dence at 2 o'clock this afternoon Mr..
Jones stepped out upon the porch to
mediately came to the door.
Please step inside into the hall
whenever you wish to consult private
~" she said. Il am only a kindergart-
ner you know We shan't hear you
out in the kitchen, for we are all sing
ing and laughing. We are all so happy
today Come into the library, we shall
not hear you talk.
Notwithstanding Mrs. Wellman's as
sertion that they were all laughing
and singing, there was not the least
noise in the house. Her gaiety was
pitiable. She repeated over AMI over
again II am only a Kindergarten
you know" In joyous but pathetic
tones. Her face was flushed with ex-
element and the warmth of the room
and she talked on excitedly for some
moments
When she is asked why she had the
house cut UP in such peculiar man
ner. she answers by some such relig-
ious phrase as Glory to God. his crea-
lures on earth and his angels in heav-
en-"
Mrs. Wellman is well educated wo-
man of prepossessing appearance. She \
was dressed this afternoon in a neat
arc stylish black dress. Her hair was
dis evelled.
The unfortunate woman win be talk