The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-06
VICTIM OF NERVOUSNESS
Mrs. Sophia Hollenbeck Sent to
the Asylum.
TRIED TO COMMIT SUICIDE
The Unfortunate Woman Worried About
Her Son Who Vas Away in the
war-Lately She Has Become
Violent at Times.

Mrs. Sophia Hollenbeck, wife of God
frey Hollenbeck of Gold Creek. is the
unfortunate victim of nervous prostra-
tion. which has so affected her that it
was found necessary to have her taken
TO the asylum at Warn Springs. Mrs.
Hollenbeck and her husband, together
with several Of their neighbors, came
to Anaconda yesterday morning. and in
the afternoon a commission pm insanity
inquired into the condition of Mrs. Hol-
lenbeck's mind. The commission con-
sisted of Judge Brantly and Drs. Evans
and Rockefeller.
Godfrey Hollenbeck was the first wit
ness called to the stand He testified
that they had been married for IS years
and had always lived happily together.
His wife was A years of age. She had
always been of a cheerful disposition
until last spring, when her son went to
the war with Stivers' rough riders. The
parting between Mrs. Hollenbeck and
her son Ia a painful effect on the lat
ter's mind For a time abe worried
ind talked of nothing else h a the
safety OF her son. A-l
After a time she said no more about
her boy, but another matter then took
possession of her. That was the idea
that an old man "a years of age. who
lives In the neighborhood, was trying
TO violate her 7-year-old daughter. Mrs.
Hollenbeck was under the impression
that she was committing a great crime
in not bringing to punishment the man
whom she accused. and she often
talked about committing suicide. The
witness had no suspicious of the old
man. Mrs. Hollenbeck became grad
ually worse: even the return of her
son not having any beneficial effect
upon her. Hollenbeck took his wife to
Missoula to the hospital there, but she
did not seem to improve.
Recently she has become violent and
daily talked of suicide. She tool all
sorts of decoctions and tried to get hold
of razors and knives, and told others
she wanted to commit suicide. For
the past week or so Hollenbeck had
had two or three men to watch her,
and they had to restrain her when she
became violent.
Frank Kaiser was another. witness.
He is a near neighbor of the Hollen-
becks, and had often visited their home.
Since July he had noticed that Mrs.
Hollenbeck was not right. She talked
of suicide. n seemed to realize tha
her mind was affected. This knowl-
edge only increased her bad state. She
worried continually, and daily expressed
great concern for her children IL she
should become insane. The witness
had tried to turn her thoughts into
more cheerful channels, but his efforts
were of no avail.
Other witnesses also testified in like
n
Mrs. H~ollenbeck answered the ques-
tions put to her without hesitation.
She reiterated the statement concern
ing the old man and her little girl, and
said that she knew he did IL. because
] saw him."
At the conclusion Of the inquiry the
commission decided to send her to
Warm Springs for a time. where. under
proper treatment. 1t Is expected that
she will fully recover.
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Hollenbeck came
TO Montana from Wisconsin and were
married at Helena. Mrs. Hollenbeck
he'd been married before, her husbands
name being Howe.