Los Angeles herald., 1906-02-23
PAYS MIDNIGHT
VISIT TO CHURCH
Rings Bell and Lights Altar Candles
as Officers March Down Aisle.
Commands Bluecoats to
Keep Away

Early yesterday morning residents
near the Plaza were startled from their
slumber by a loud changing of bells.
First from the tower of the Catholic
church came sounds as of someone
gently moving the heavy chimes back
ward and forward. Later the volume
of sound increased until the whole
neighborhood was aroused.
Patrolmen Leon and Willetts were
making their lonely rounds when the
first tinkling was borne to their ears.
They stopped and listened. The loud
ringing of the bells which occurred
shortly assured them that it was
really the chimes.
Realizing that it was the morning of
Washington's birthday they thought
1T might be in his honor, but decided
to investigate anyhow.
AS the two policemen entered the
church the candles on the altar began
to glow brilliantly. Then two or three
weird strains came from the organ and
again the bells pealed wildly forth.
Behind the patrolmen came a small
crowd that had been aroused at the
unusual occurrence at such an hour.
Superstitiously they followed the Of
ficerS and their surprise can be imag
ined when they saw a woman at the
altar instead of a priest.
With her long hair flowing over her
shoulders, with a wild expression in
her eyes, and with her body bent for
ward, the woman watched the men as
they approached her.
Her well formed figure her pretty
hair and ber beautiful face, caused the
officers to stop a moment and look.
Officer Leon haStened up the aisle
toward the communion rail over which
she was leaning. AS he neared the
rail the woman slowly and quietly
came toward him.
"What are you doing here?" asked
the officer.
For a moment the woman did not
answer, but turned her eyes upwards,
expressionless and apparently gazing
at something far away.
'There," she cried. "There they are
the angels protecting me. 1 came
here because my companion wanted to
play the organ. Then some fiend cut
her finger from her hand. Now they
waut to kill me-"
The last sentepce was uttered in a
high shrill voice. AS she finished the
woman drew back against the altar,
crouching as though she feared she
would be harmed.
Before the officer realized that it was
not all a dream, the woman had ST.
lently glided down the aisle and was
almost to the other end of the church
AS she disappeared into the stairway
leading up to the belfry the officer
hastened after her.
When Patrolman Leon overlook the
woman she was nearly half way up
the stairs. When told to stop she
turned toward him, holding candle
high over her head, and in tone OF
nd I1f IN
her at the peril of his life.
With little difficulty the officer in
duced the woman to accompany him
to the central police station, where she
remained in care of the matron until
morning and then was allowed to ac-
company some friends.
She told the officers that her name
was Nellie Lynch and that she had
lighted all of the candles on the altar,
believing that it would keep away from
her those whom she feared.
According to the police the woman
resides at 1915 Pleasant avenue. The
police say this is a private detention
house, where those who are able 20
pay a certain sum a week can have
their friends or relatives who are men,
tally unbalanced cared for.
The police were unable to say last
night as to whether the woman was
kept at ldl0 PledSdllL dESHuc ana ndu
escaped or was taken there for the
first time yesterday.
When reporters called at the place
on Pleasant avenue last night they
were met at the door by a woman who
was evidently in charge. She denied
any knowledge of the case before the
callers had made known the object of
their visit.
"You reporters won't get what you
want out here" she said, because we
have nothing to tell you. You are en-
tirely upon the wrong track The
young woman for whom you are seek
ing lives in another portion OF the
city.
II viii not confirm or deny that she
is now here in the house because we
have nothing to say for publication. l
don't want anything said In the news
papers because it will hurt my busi-
ness.
II do not say that the young lady
is not here now and you are not going
to find OUT anything about II from me.
But be sure and send me tomor-
rows Herald" she called as the re-
porter left, showing that her curiosity
xVaa aUfHanfIu o,..ao fats than hap caution