Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-20
DEATH FOLLOWS SEPARATION.
Colored Man Sent to Hospital for In
sane and Wife Collapses.

Aunt Rett," as Henrietta Lewis an aged
colored woman, was known, died suddenly
yesterday afternoon at her home, 2JOI +
street. Her death occurred under circum-
stances which make the case peculiarly
sad one She died a few hours after the
police had taken her husband from the
house and transferred him to st. izabeth's
Hospital for the Insane. She had lived
with her husband, James H. Lewis, for
more than forty years, and when the sug-
gestion was made that he would probably
have to go to the asylum she begged that
he be permitted to remain at home.
We've been together more than forty
years. she said. land L can't live II you
take him from me-
The husband, who was sixty-six years
DID, however had become dangerous. He
had spent many sleepess nights, and dis
played a violent temper. He would occa-
sionaliy threaten to injure his wife or
others upon the slightest provocation, and
it was feared he would kill her More than
a week ago he was examined by Drs A
Rhett Stuart and Robert S. Beale, and
would have been sent to the asylum at that
time had not people connected with st. Mar
garets Church requested that action be
postponed.
Lewis had been sexton of the church for
five years. but had been unable to perform
his duties during the past twelve months
The pastor of the church, Rev. Herbert S.
Smith, took a friendly interest in the aged
couple, and sent them money each month.
Mrs. Lewis had been in Ill health a number
of months, and was really not able to care
for her husband, but she did the best she
could to keep him at home and make him
comfortable. She followed him about the
house and through the streets as IL he were
a small child Recently, however, she suf-
fered from heart trouble, and DR.. Stuart
found she was In such weakened condition
that he feared she could not live long II her
husband remained under her charge. He
also realized that their separation might
cause a collapse, but the husbands condi-
ton had become such that it was absolutely
necessary to act. The question of having
Lewis cared for at his home was discussed
by the members of the vestry of st. Mar
garets Church, but no conclusion was
reached, and 1t was subsequently decided
to send him to the asylum.
Last summer the elderly man wandered
away from home one afternoon, and his
wife was very much disturbed over his abb
sence That night about - o'clock the bent
form of aunt Rett'' was seen in front of
the home of DR.. Rhett Stuart, No Dupont
circle. The doctor, who had known the wo-
man number of years, went out and in
quired what she was doing about the streets
at so late an hour.
my old man went away today and 1
can't find him., was her response. We've
been together forty years, and this is the
first time he has remained away from
home"
After that time Lewis frequently wan
dered away. and search had to be made for
him. Lewis and his wife had worked in a
number of families of the Oldest residents
of Georgetown, and were highly respected.
The separation of man and wife resulted in
the collapse of the latter in a short time
Scores of friends of the family called at
the house last night to express their SYM
pathy. Arrangements have been made for
the interment of the body in Mt Zion
cemetery.