The San Francisco call., 1907-01-28
MISSING VIZ MAN
FOUND IN MAJ A
ASYLUM
Detective Cody Solves thc
Mystery of Disappearance
of Mrs. G. n. Knudson
TEN DAYS AGO SHE
LEFT SANATORIUM NJ

The mystery OF the disappearance
Of Mrs. c n Knudsen. who left the
private sanatorium OF Miss Campbell,
4Oss Army street, ten weeks ago, was
solved yesterday, when Detective
Charles Cody notified the police au-
thoriries that he had found her in the
asylum at Napa-
On November Is Policeman Thomas
Naylor found the woman in dazed
condition in Seventh street near Har-
rison and sent her TO the Central
Emergency Hospital. where she was
examined by DR.. c. d. McGettigan and
committed by Judge Graham to the
Napa asylum.
Some Of the events which transpired
between the time OF the woman's dis
appearance and the present are still a
mystery. however, according TO Miss
Campbell, who for many years had the
unfortunate Mrs Knudsen in her
charge. Miss Campbell said last
night:
Mine years ago ] first knew Mrs.
Knudsen. who had then been a pa
tient at DR.. WhitwelFs hospital in San
Mateo for about flve years. was
placed in charge OF her by the physi-
clan and continued TO look after her
until about six years ago, when / came
here and opened my own sanatorium
kept her for the reason that while her
mind was not sound she was tractable
and. being strong and well physically,
could assist me materially in keeping
the house in order and performing
other duties.
Her husband has never paid me
anything for keeping her and on this
account I have seen little OF him all
the time hrs. Knudsen has been with
-rra H.af
unbalanced every time she saw him,
so we thought it best for him to visit
her as little as possible. Her hallucina-
ton was that she possessed great
wealth, including mines and real estate
although TO my knowledge she has
none whatever.
1t was about Il o'clock a m the
day she disappeared. She walked
across the street and I expected 10 see
her back again within short time. but
when day after day passed without her
return I tried 10 find her husbands ad-
dress. He had formerly been connected
with the Armour Packing Company in
Davis street. but when I inquired of
the officials OF that company they said
they did not know where he resided
STRANGER CALLS WITH PAPERS
Friday q week ago q young man.
sandy complexioned and Of pleasant
countenance, called at my door and
asked for Mrs. Knudsen, saying he had
been sent with some papers for her TO
sign He explained that they were
deeds TO some property in Los Angeles
or something Of that kind, and that
nothing could be done with il until the
papers bore my charges signature. II
seemed unusual for him TO make this
request as I had thought the signature
Of person Of unsound mind was not
valid. However, I was so anxious to
communicate with Mr.. Knudsen and so
get the responsibility for the woman's
safety of my shoulders that paid lit
tie attention 10 the papers and asked
the young man TO send Mr.. Knudsen
to me at once, as his wife had disap-
pesred.
a few days later the husband came,
and yesterday we went together TO the
police station TO get the assistance Of
detectives. I told him about the young
ms n with the papers who had called.
but he only said Yes, not referring to
the matter again. ] also asked him if
II would not be wise 70 see II we could
locate any Of her relatives. but he said
he had made inquiries and found that
they were all dead I believe she had
two aunts in San Jose and sister in
this city at one time.
DIsAPPEARED ONCE BEFORE
He told me that he was living on
ranch at walnut Creek, and that was
the reason had not been able to COM
municate with him.
About g year ago Mrs. Knudsen be
gan TO cause me trouble She disap-
peared then snd her husband found her
somewhere on the water front They
sent for me. and I found that Knudsen
and the police could do nothing with
her. although when I appeared she
came home with me willingly. How
ever since then her condition had
seemed TO grow worse. Her mind con-
stantly ran upon her imagined riches.
One day she sent = note TO police head
quarters saying she was held a pris-
oner against her will and had been so
for years. In response to this q police
man came here, but Of course, when
explained that she was mentally un-
sound that ended the matter.
After her first disappearance her
husband told her that II she did not
remain upon the premises here he
would send her TO Nspa.
I have all along been Of the opinion
that she was being interfered with
from the outside, but, of course, that
may be g mistake. One can never tell
what insane persons will DO from one
day TO the other, and for that reason
have just done the best I could with
her. watching her carefully, but not
dreaming that she would run away"