The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-09-13
Terrifying Experience of
Sick Girl Girl and Mother
at the Emergency
Institution.
DOOR FASTENED AFTER
INEBRIATE RUSHED IN
Women In Agony of Fear
Until Guards Came to
Seize the CraZed
Man.

Miss Bessie Farrell, the young
woman who walked from the second
story front window or her home
about two weeks ago and sustained
serious injuries, and who was sub
sequently removed TO the Emergency
Hospital. was terrified soon after
her admission to the institution by
the appearance of a drunken man.
who broke from his room and dashed
into her apartment.
At the time the man entered the
sick room. Mrs. Virginia Farrell.
mother of the young womaE. was
sitting beside the bed. The sudden
appearance Of the stranger caused
both women 70 tremble, for It was
not known what move the man
might make.
The first intimation that Mrs.
Farrell had Of Cny disturbance in
the hospital was when she was at
tracted by loud screams IN another
section Of the institution. The cries
became louder and louder and
seemed 70 be moving nearer her
apartment Then, before she real
ized what the trouble was. the door
of the ward was thrown widely open
and the man dashed in. In speak
ing Of the case this morning. Mrs.
Farrell said:
Objected 20 Her Presence.
When my daughter was taken TO the
hospital went along. for I did not care
TO be separated from her. On the other
hand I realized / could be of material
aid were ! by her side. AT first the hos
pital physicians objected 10 my presence.
but informed them that II I could not
remain by my daughters side I would
take ber 10 another Institution. This
seemed to have the desired effect ana
was permitted 20 occupy the room with
my daughter.
For a couple Of days all went well.
Occasionally ! would hear wild shouts.
but Of course realized that IL was impOs-
sible 20 prevent patients from creating
q disturbance at times.
"On the evening that the inebriate en-
tered our room there had been more or
building where such patients are confin-
ed. At nrst when ] heard the loud
shrieks / presumed they were the re
suit Of one OF the guards trying 70
force a drunken man into the strong
room, as the department is called iu
which these cases are treated. When
the cries became louder and hoarser,
and seemed 10 move up the corridor to-
ward my room, 1 became somewhEt
startled and 10 distract my daughters
mind as mucn as possible from the
shrieks. 1 began 10 talk with her.
Man Appeared Suddenly.
THE noise and the bowling OF the
man became more terrifying and rose
to go to the door to see what the
trouble was. 1 had turned and was
about TO rise from the chair when the
door was thrust open and the form OF
man lOomed up before me. TO say
that I was frightened would be putting
il mildly. ! gasped and clutChed the
back of the chair for support For a
brief instant the man stood silent. his
eyes glued upon the bed in which lay
my daughter trembling with fear
q realized that the fellow WIS either
demented OF suffering the effects OF
whisky, and decided 10 pacify and lead
him from the room. ] started toward
him, when the man suddenly turned
and began 10 cry out that they were
after him. He believed the hospital
attendants were after him. and 70 avoid
them he had dashed into the room.
When ne finally Quieted down /
moved toward him and caught him by
the hand. He offered no resistance and
] moved toward the door with him,
bent upon getting him out Of t5-3 room
/ was afraid my daughter might be
overcome with excitement and / knew
If she was 10 be taken with fainting
spells the strain might be fatal
Found the Door Locked.
Much TO my surprise when reached
the door I found that it was locked. I
tugged and strained. but the door would
not open. Why il was locked 1 could
not imagine as there are no locks on
any Of the ward doors. And besides the
man had only entered the apartment a
moment before. was terribly shocked
and shouted out for help On the out
side [ heard the voice Of the nurse say
that the door would have 10 be kept
closed until the arrival OF the guard or
until one or the physicians could be
with.
Alone With Crazed Mar.
"-Au the while the man was staring
1t me with wide. startled yes. was
ana hardly knew how 20 act.
The information as shouted through the
zeyhcle 10 me. by the nurse. caused me
10 tug and r. 10 pun the door open.
Why one OF the nurses should take it
upon herself 10 keep a crazed man IN
the room where a girl lay desperately
n. I could not understand. 1 cried Out
ouder and began 10 kick upon the door.