The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-01
AN OLD W0MAN'S PLIGHT
FIRST IN THE POLICE STATION, THEN
AT THE CITY HOSPITAL.
Mrs. Sarah Anna Cissna, Eighty Years
Old, Brought to This City from
Franklin.

For a time last night the police station
gave shelter to Mrs. Sarah Anna Cissna, a
demented woman eighty years old. The
latter part of the night she occupied cot
at the City Hospital, where she was sent
by Matron Gregoire.
There seems to be an air of mystery sur
rounding the life of Mrs. Cissna. She was
brought in by constable from Franklin.
He said he found her wandering on the
streets of Franklin. She had been brought
there by a man from Southport. The Of
ficer had found the old woman walking
along the tracks of the electric road to-
ward Greenwood. AS they were standing
on the public square in Franklin a con-
ductor from one of the interurban cars
came over to see what interested the
crowd. He recognized the old woman as
passenger on his car early in the morn
ing. He said the woman was put aboard at
Pennsylvania street and Virginia avenue.
The woman accompanying Mrs. Cissna was
dressed in the garb of nurse. He said this
woman gave him instructions to let Mrs.
Cissna off at Southport and relatives
would be there to receive her. When South
port was reached there were no relatives TO
greet her. He thought no more of the in
cident until he saw the woman in the
midst of a curious crowd in Franklin. The
man who carried the woman TO Franklin
said he found her walking along the road.
he was attracted TO her by her bent form
and gray hairs. He said he placed her IN
his buggy and brought her to Franklin.
He tried many times to get the old woman
10 tell where she lived, but she continually
groaned as if in great pain.
1t was learned by the constable that she
had relative in indianapolis by the name
Of Robert Teeters. He then brought her
her m of he
matron at the police station.
Mrs. Gregoire left the old woman in the
large cellroom and told her to prepare for
bed. She took the old woman's cane. shawl
and hand bag. About 10 o'clock Mrs. Gre
goire was attracted 10 the cell by groans.
She found Mrs. Cissna standing in the
door partly undressed and covered with
blood. Mrs. Gregoire was almost Mortified
at the sight and to the old womans
assistance. She asked her many questions,
but Mrs. CiSSna was unable to uflderst and
anything. 1t developed that the old WON
an was suffering from cancer. The City
D1spensary ambulance was called and Mrs.
Gregoire sent her to the City Hospital,
1t was seen that she was slowly dying
from her malady.
The police last night were unable to find
Robert Teeters, who is said to work at
livery stable on the North Side.
Mrs. Gregoire said last night that the old
woman was brought TO her attention sew
eral years ago. At that time she was mis-
treated by her brother-in-laW who is her
guardian. The brother-in-law is a bachelor
and made his home at that time with Mrs.
Cissna. The old woman owned consider
able property, which was coveted by the
brother-in-law. He would allow the old
woman but small amount for sustenance
and almost starved her. One day she re-
monstrated with him for the manner in
which he was treating her and he beat her
badly. The brother-in-law was arrested
and severely fined by Judge DAILY.
After this part of the old lady's history
became public last night the police formed
the opinion that the brother-in-law was
again at work. The police are of opinion
that he had the old woman placed aboard
a car by some one dressed in the Bingham
garb of a nurse, telling the conductor that
relatives would meet her at Southport.
They think it only a ruse and that
the brOther-in-law thought he would get
rid of the old woman in this way. The po-
lice are ma king efforts 10 find the man.