davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Portland daily press., 1898-02-12
KILLED BY INSANE WOMAN.

Stamford, Conn.,, February l1.-Mrs.
Bridgst Drought, the aged inmate OF the
aImshouse at North Stamford, whom 1t IS
believed killed Superintendent James j..
Parker during an insane frenzy this
morning, was brought to this city tonight
and is now under arrest IN 6he lookup.
The woman raves constantly and gives
every indication of insanity. Coroner
Doton of Bridgeport reached here shortly
after the arrival of the woman and he en-
deavored to get a statement from her as
to the cause of her assault on Mr.. Parker,
but she Indignantly denied striking him.
Further details as to the probable
murder have been learned from Oscar
Sneak, an inmate, who accompanied the
superintendent to the woman's apart
ment. Sneak says that Mr.. Parker was
Informed that Mrs. Drought, who with
other insane patients, were kept in the
annex, was making great disturbance
and both men went to stop it. Sneak I'M
locked the door of Mrs. Drought's cell aud
MIR. Parker went in, when he was at once
set upon by the woman and almost imme-
diately after being attacked, fell insen-
sible behind the door. The woman then
attacked Sneak, severely clawing his face.
but he held her until assistance arrived.
The only apparent wound on Mr.. Parker
was a cut on the jaw below the ear.
but on the arrival of % physician it was
found that his skull was fractured. A
thorough search of the cell failed to dis
close any club or blunt instrument which
might have been used, but it is believed
she struck him over the head with poker
or piece of iron used about the stove in
her room and later secreted it, The
woman had of late become so violent that
arrangements had been taken to take her
to the state insane asylum next week al
| Middletown. Mrs. Drought's husband
and several children live in this city, bnt
on account Of her insane actions the
family claimed they could not care for
her and she became town charge.
1t is not believed she will be held for
trial for murder, but will be taken to
Middletown as soon as the legal formali-
ties are complied with.
The Portland daily press., 1898-02-12
GOULD'S ACADEMY DAMAGED BY
FIRE.

Bethel, February 11.-Abou 10 o. clock
Thursday evening theaalarm was given
that Gould Academy in Bethel was in
flames. n E c
The fire made considerable headway be-
fore discovered and the flames were I'M
der control in about an hour.
1.-THE fire started near the chimney in the
upper part of The building near the roof,
but the immediate cause is q mystery.
The roof of the building is badly dam
aged and will have to be replaced. The
damage to the interior below is mostly
from water and is not serious, although
the ceiling and walls are badly damaged.
The concert of the Bethel chorus was
being given in Odeon hall, and nearly all
the firemen and a large part of the village
people were there. when the alarm was
given. There was a slight panic, but no
one was injured.
The loss is estimated at $500, fully in.
sured, the insurance covering the damage
to the furniture and apparatus in the in
terror.
The present term lasts two weeks long
er and will probably be completed in the
grammar school building. Undoubtedly
repairs will be at once begun on the
Academy, and it will be in shape for the
spring term, which opens the latter part
of March.