The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-07
Since Jan. IL, 1901, the Young Woman
Had Been Patient at DIR.
Sterne's SanatOrium.
PROBABLE REASONS FOR DEED
A FORMER UNSATISFACTORY MAR
RAGE AND POOR HEALTH.
When Her Body Was Found by the
Attendants Miss johnson Had
Been Dead Some Time.

Maude Johnson, young woman OF pre-
possessing appearance. having many
friends in this city, killed herself early yes
terday morning at DR.. Sterne's sanatorium
on East Tenth street, where she had been
a patient since Jan. IL, 1901.
Her death was caused by drowning in
cistern in the rear of the sanatorium, which
was used to supply water for the laundry.
She was found about o'clock by some of
the attendants who, having looked for her
in her room, were unable to find her. She
was found hanging head downward in the
cstern. In jumping into the cistern her
clothing caught a projection, allowing
her head to hang downward in the water.
while her feet remained above. AS nearly
as could be ascertained she had jumped
into the cistern between and o'clock,
but her body was still warm when it was
found and several hours were spent in try
ing to revive her, but without success.
Miss Johnson formerly a stenograph-
er in the office of Judge Jordan in the
Statehouse, but was obliged to give up
her work on account of an illness which
paralyzed the nerves and muscles of one
side of the body. When taken to the sana-
forum last January, and for several
She had however lately shown improve
ment, which gave her physicians, relatives
and friends hope of her ultimate recovery.
Recently she had improved rapidly and on
Tuesday she was told that her brother at
Martinsivlle was coming here Friday to
take her to her mother, who lives at Mar
tinsville, and from which place she came
TO this city. Her mother had lived here
with her during the last winter.
LIBERTY NOT RESTRICTED.
From the time she was able to be about
she had been allowed the privilege of going
over the sanatorium as she pleased and lit
tie attention was paid to her. In some of
her habits she was very regular and it was
from this fact that the attendants first sur
missed there was something wrong. She
habitually arose about o'clock in the
morning and was always ready for break
fast and treatment by the time the at
tendants came to her room. When they
looked into her room yesterday morning
they found she had dressed and gone out.
When she did not return half hour later
a search of the house was made and when
she was not found inside they went into
the grounds, thinking perhaps she had gone
out for a stroll in the yard. Upon going to
the rear of the house their attention was
first attracted TO the cistern because the
cover was out of position. An examination
of the cistern showed the body hanging
head downward in the water.
Judge Jordan was at once notified and
went to the sanatorium as soon as possible.
He ordered the body sent to an under
takers. 1t will be sent to Martinsville this
morning for burial
The cause of Miss Johnson's act is mat
ter of conjecture. She had never threat
ened any violence TO herself or even sug-
geSted such a thing. Most of the time she
was happy and apparently contented. Oc-
casionally she became Respondent the
spells being due to fear that she would not
ways be subject to illness. She had fire.
quently recited to friends story of an I'M
happy life at Martinsville, and Judge Jor-
dan thought she had sought death rather
than go back TO a home which she had left
in sorrow She had been unhappily mar
ried at Martinsville and had secured di-
vorce several years ago, at which time her
maiden name was restored. 1t was also
thought possible that dread of future ill
ness and helplessness was an incentive to
self-destruction.
DR.. Sterne said he knew little of the facts
except they had been reported to him by
the attendants, and he feared people would
attribute the girls death to negligence on
the part of nurses. He said Miss Johnson
in such health that watch was
necessary at all, and, in fact none was
tient, but one who was ill. She had during
her period of convalescence, been accorded
the liberty of going about the institute at
will.