Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1908-12-04
INSANE WOMAN
FIRES DW1LL!N
BUT ESCAPES
OWN HOME REDUCED TO ASHES
AND NEIGHBOR'S DWELLING
is SCORCHED.
is RESCUED FROM DEATH.
Blaze on Forty-third Avenue and Beloit
Road Proves Too Much for
Fire Department.
is COMMITTED TO COUNTY ASYLUM

MILWAUKEE, Wis, Nov. 80, 1908.
Mrs. Mary Cavanaugh, an aged re-
cluse, the wife of Wilson Cavanaugh, or
derby sergeant at the Soldiers home, set
fire to her home at Forty-third avenue
and the Beloit road early this morning
in a fit of insanity, to prevent her com
mittment to the county insane asylum
Mrs. Cavanaugh narrowly missed death
in the flames, which consumed the home
She was rescued by neighbors, in an
unconscious condition. overcome by
smoke and almost dead.
Mrs. Edward Richards, an invalid re-
siding next door, was carried from her
home when it started to burn.
A search is being made of the ruins
Of Mrs. Cavanaugh's home for money
which is supposed to have been hidden in
the house
Thought Fire Extinguished.
Mrs. Cavanaugh was taken out of the
burning buildings by Dan Williams, SUI
perintendent of the Dickson farm near
by, and John Edwards, employed in the
Milwaukee road shops. They broke down
the front door and fought their way
through the smoke to the bedside of Mrs.
Cavanaugh. The men poured pail of
water on the fire and left it, thinking 1T
had been extinguished. Later the fire
broke out afresh and the house was con
sumed in two hours.
Mrs. Cavanaugh was unconscious when
carried out. Glad only in her night
clothes, she was taken from the home
and carried to the Dickson residence halt
a block away. Then Williams and Ed
wards returned and rescued Mrs. Rich
ards. Mrs. Richards was carried from
her home in a rocking chair.
Mrs. Cavanaugh Insane.
Mrs. Cavanaugh had acted queerly for
long time. She had lived the life of
a recluse, refusing to speak to any one.
Her neighbors had not conversed with
her for months. When she saw persons
coming toward the house she would lock
the doors and hide. An examination was
made and the attending physicians found
she was insane. Papers had been pre-
pared to commit her to the hospital for
insane at Wauwatosa. They Were to
have been served today. Mrs. Cayanaugh
evidently realized that she was to, be TAX
en- to the asylum and planned to make an
end of herself by setting fire to the
house. She was taken to the home of
Mrs. A. n Dickson and at noon was
transferred to the asylum in a carriage.
Woman in Delirium.
The unfortunate woman raved all
morning after her rescue and could tell
nothing of how she set fire to the house.
The dog owned by Mrs. Cavanaugh per-
ished in the fire. It is thought the wom-
an had about $500 secreted in out of
the way places in the house and as soon
as the fire was subdued, the neighbors
raked the ashes in search of the lost
money. .,,. -.--...~.~,- ~
Several gold pieces, silver and copper
coins were taken from the ruins by
James Flint, marshal of West Milwau-
kee, who formed a searching party. AL
morning and afternoon the ruins were
raked for traces of the hidden wealth.
Marshal Flint estimated that 500 had
been recovered at I o'clock, but the
search was continued
The fire started at $50 o'clock Peo-
pie in the neighborhood formed hand
brigade and tried to extingLish the blaze.
A chemical engine from the city Of Mil
waukee was sent to the scene, but ar
rived too late to do more than save the
surrounding buildings from destruction.
Insane Six Months.
Though l have lived next door to
Mrs. Cavanaugh for several years, I
haven't spoken to her in the last six
months. said Edward Richards, neigh
Dor. my wife also does not speak to
Mrs. CaYanaugh because of her queer
ways. She began to grow queer last
."The fire started in the kitchen, but
enveloped the whole house inside Of half
an hour. Nothing. was saved; l think
kerosene was sprinkled about, because of
the rapidity with which the flames
gained Roadway.
1T was planned to take Mrs.
CavaHaugh into custody today and have
her examined, but she must have gained
information, and set Ere to the house.
The papers were ready to be served,
when the fire was discovered.