The Washington times., 1902-07-08
MissRhoda Richie Found
Hanging to Bars
of Window.
AT ST. ELIzABETH'S ASYLUM
Had Been Under Treatment for Melan-
cholia Several Months - Was Never
Violent and Showed No Signs Of
Harming Herself or Others.

The limp and lifeless body Of Miss
Rboda s. Ritchic, who had been con-
fined to a cell at st. Eliabeth's Asylum
for three months, was found suspended
from the window guard in her cell
shortly after 9 O'Clock last night. she
had fastened her belt around her neck
and Jumped off the window sill, and died
several moments later from strangula-
ton. The doctors were hastily sum-
moned to her side and rracticed artln-
cial respiration for more than hait an
hour. but they could not revive her'
The unfortunate woman has several
relatives in this city. They were notified
of her death last night.
About $3.50 O'Clock, when the nurses
made the regular rounds OF the rooms,
Miss Ritchie was in her room. and dld
not act in any different manner than
she usually did. She. had been suf-
ferjng from melancholia, and was not
considered violent. Therefore a strict
watch was not kept over her, as she was
not thought to be dangerous, and the
physicians did not think she would do
herself any bodily harm, inasmuch as
she had never intimated doing anything
OF the sort.
Hanging From Guard
When one of the attendants went to
her cell about O'Clock, she discovered
the body hanging from the window
guard. She entered the. cell. and cut
the belt which held the body sus-
pended in the air. One end of the belt
had been securely fastened across the
iron bar, and the end TO which the
buckle was attached was fastened
around the young woman's throat. The
weight of the body had drawn the belt
tightly around her neck, and her tongue
was forced out. SO great was the pres
sure.
With great difficulty the nurse re-
leased the belt from the woman's neck.
Life was nearly extinct when the belt
was removed. The nurse endeavored to
revive the woman. but this could not
be done.
The doctor having charge OF the asy-
lum at night was communicated with,
and he hurried to the cell in which Miss
Ritchie had been confined. Several OF
the doctors made every possible effort
to restore her to consciousness, but
after forty minutes, when no signs of
life appeareds TO reward their efforts,
they decided that she was past reviv-
ing. The woman died about 9:15 o'clock.
Her cell was on the second floor of the
main building, and she. evidently ended
her life a few moments after the nurses
had made the rounds on that floor.
There was no outcry from her cell. This
was probably because she was strangled
before she was able to utter syllable,
Suffering From Melalcholia.
Miss Ritchie was thirty-two years Of
age. and had been confined at the asylum
since April 20 of this year. She was
suffering from melancholia when placed
in the institution. She had been de-
spondent for some time previous TO be-
ing sent to the hospital, and her rela-
tives finally decided TO send her there,
where she would receive the proper care
and attention. She was placed in Z ward
whera she received every attention. The
attendants never had any trouble with
here before, rs she never became violent
or threatened TO harm herself. or any
one else.
Her brother, John P. Richie, clerk
residing in Brightwood. was notified Of
her death. and will probably take charge
OF the remains today. She is said to
have relatives residing at a ! Street
northeast.
The Coroner was notified of the death
of the young woman, and issued a GER
tifcate OF death from suicide.