The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-04-03
INSANE NOMAE'S SUICIDE
Threw Herself in FroHf of Fast
Train at Philadelphia.
Had Been Suffering FSr@1n. Insomnia
ard Nervous TroubIes- for Some
Time-She Mas the Dassshter OF n
Late banker in PittaHnrg, Pa.

==aEE
PHILADELPHIA, April &-WhiIe sUf-
fe-fng from insanity produced by insom-
MIA yesterday Miss Ellen Herdman, who
had been for some time patient IN a
sanitarium for nervous patients. IN West
Philadelphia. threw herself in front OF
fast train on the Reading Railway. be-
tween Chelten HiIls and Jenkintown-
She was instantly killed. The PROV of
the engine struck her in the back ana
tore away the left side of the body, which
was horribly mutiIated. The head was
severed from the body and hurled twenty
feet to the adjoining track.
Miss Herdman's actions Immediately
preceding the accident were peculiar. She
came from Philadelphia shortly after
O'Clock. aIighted al Jenkintown and paced
back and forth along theAtFack below the
station. She was successful in taking her
life only after two attempts Her cour-
age failed her when she tried TO throw
herself before the Royal Blue express
which passed Jenkintown at 3:92- Mrs,
George Pearnan, OF this city, was notified
and went TO Jenkintown to view the re
mains. She said she and Miss Herdman
were shopping yesterday in an Eighth
Street store. and while making a pur-
chase Miss Herdman suddenly disappear
ed and Was not again heard of until word
was received announcing her death
She had with her at the time Of the &C
cident new dress suit case and a num-
Der of purchases not in. her possession
when she left Mrs Pearnau. In her
clothes were found a ticket - Gienside,
a small amount Of money. and a pocket
book containing cara reading Miss
Herdman. 42l6 Chester Avenue. PhiladeI-
phfa-~
Mrs. Pearman teIephoned To the family
of Mrs Robert W. tlenniken, 62s Clyde
Street Pittsburg. Miss Herdman's near
est relatives They had been previously
notified of her disappearance
Miss Herdman had been suffering from
insomnia fits fer some time
At the sanitarium where Miss Herd
man had been receiving medical treat
ment. the following facts were given out
by one of the attendants. Miss Herd
man came TO this city from PittsburS
several weeks ago TO be treated by Dr.
]. *. Mitchell. for nervous troubles. For
a short time she ived at one Of the no
teis. but Eve weeks ago was brought here
where she would be more quiet. Her con
dition has steadily improved for the past
three weeks Yesterday we conserved
that she should go down town in COM
pany with a friend We did not know
that she had disappeared until short
tirne ago It is probable that she started
for GIenside, where some Of her friends
reside"
Coroner Charles Ashton. OF Montsom-
cry county, went to Senkintewn last
night. and viewed the remains. where
the inquest will be held today. The cor
ouer talked with DR.. Mitchell over the
telephone. but refused TO discuss the
case The body will be embalmed and
prepared for shipment, probably TO Pitts
burg
James Mccain. d brewer. of Jenkin-
town. and James Shields, the fagInan at
Cheltor Hills. saw the woman struck by
the train Just before the train came
down upon her she was noticed on the
track. walking in the direction Of CheI-
ton Hills.
PlTTSBURG, April ELLEN F Herd
man. the Pittsburg woman who threw
herself under train near IenkintoGL
yesterday, was the youngest daughter OF
the late James HerdGlan. who at the
WIS President Of the Dollar Savings
Eank OF this city She lived with her
sister. Mrs r ". Flenniken, at 629 Clyde
Street She was thirty years OF age and
had been an invalid most of her life be
cause OF spinal trouble Las August she
went 70 Maine, where she had nervous
DIySlLdAlfhA. ana EEtL4Il4--4 A4)Ll4t- Later
she went to Philadelphia, where she was
under the care OF DR. 5 Weir Mitchell
Miss Herdman's sister. Mrs. Fienniken.
who IS the wife OF the Secretary Of the
Dollar Savings Bank. received a letter
yesterday from Miss C2rman, profess
iOnal nurse. who vas with the invalid,
stating that Miss Herdman had gone to
chuCLn Sunday morning and vas much
better She was talking of going to Cali
fOruia. the writer stated i telegram
last night appriSed the family OF Miss
Herdmau's tragic death Robert w
FIennikcn, a nephew. left for Philadel-
phia 10 bring the body home