Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-25
HIS MIND DISEASED
PRIEST OF FRANCISCAN ORDER
SENT TO ST. ELIZABETH.


sons who wanted to poison him and that he
could escape them by coming to this city,
Rev. Ambrose Sanning, otherwise known as
Andrew Sayer, alleged to be priest of the
Franciscan order, came to this city about
three weeks ago. Upon his arrival here he
went to hotel. but remained there only a
short while. He thought he saw physician,
he said who had tried to poison him when
he was here three years ago.
Then he sought room in private house,
where he believed he could hide from those
who were pursuing him to administer poison.
He found room in house 100 9Th street
northwest, and has been there since he left
the hotei, but late yesterday afternoon he
was taken from the house by Detective Nc
Nance and held upon suspicion that his
mind was in such condition that he was
irresponsible. He was subjected to an eX-
animation by Drs. Richards and Barry. po-
lice surgeons, at the sixth precinct station.
last night, and the conclusion was reached
that his mind was affected. The surgeons
signed a certificate which set out that the
mind of the priest was impaired and that
he needed expert treatment.
Upon the strength of this certificate he
was committed to st. Elizabeth Hospital
for the Insane. being taken there last night
sixth precinct station. The names attached
to the affidavit, which formed the formal
complaint, were Raphael Adams and Nicho-
Jas Blattenann, who said to be profess
sors at the monastery near Brookland.
Ranked High as Educator.
1t was stated last night that the Rev.
Father Sanning had been connected with a
college about twenty-five miles from Gin
cinnati for a number of years and that he
was always regarded as a splendid educator.
He came to this city about three years ago.
it is stated, to make an effort to get rid of
persons who he imagined wanted to poison
him, and while here he became Ill. While
being cared for by the police last night he
told the officers that the physician and
nurse who cared for him during his illness
tried to poison him.
"And." he stated. when came here this
time and went to a hotel the first man I
saw was the physician who had tried to ad-
minister the poison.
It was the sight of the physician at the
hotel he stated, that caused him to seek
lodgings in q private residence. He had
walked about the city only short while
before his attention was attracted to q
sign in the house on 5th street. which gave
him the information that rooms were rent
ed there. Calling at the house, he was ac-
commoodated and during the time he oc-
cupied the room there was nothing In his
demeanor that caused other persons in the
house to think he was not entirely sane. =
I'VE saw but little of him." said lady
at the house last night. HE hasn't been
arrested" she added. He went away
from here this afternoon with two gentle
men, and he has not yet returned, but
know he has not done anything for which
he has been arrested He Is usually here
before this time Of the night but l don't
know what is OBTAINING him now"
Known as Andrew Sayer.
The lady said she had known him as Mr.
Andrew Sayer, but she thought that was
not his real name. She also said he pre-
scented the appearance of a minister. He
said but little to others in the house. how
ever, and very little was known of him.
The young lady said she had heard the
name Ambrose mentioned in referring to
him and she also understood he was from
Cincinnati.
The police say that while the prisoner
patient was in the station his conversation
and manner indicated that his mind was
not altogether right, although he was able
to converse upon topics Of general informa-
ton without showing much evidence of
mental trouble. He told of the alleged plot
to take his life, however, and said that
when he was here three years ago he had
business with a Judge Davis. Last night.
he said. he was anxious to meet the judge
and have him arrange his affairs for him.
feeling certain that he could put an end
to the plot.
During his conversation with the police
he said he had an object in view in chang
ing his name. He thought that by doing
tity and get rid of the persons who sought
his life. 1t is believed that the unfortunate
college professor will remain at ST. Eliz-
abeth but a short while, as arrangements
will probably be made to have him treat
ed at Mount Hope, near Baltimore.