The Washington times., 1908-08-25
WALKED IN SLEEP,
NOW SHE'S INSANE
Miss Sadie Petit, Who Great
ed Sensation in Georgetown,
Committed to Asylum.

Miss Sadie Petit. who created a SEN
satiOn in Georgetown the night OF Fri
day. June %, by one of the most re-
narkable somnambulistic feats ever re-
corded. has been committed 20 the Gov
ernment Hospital for the Insane.
Whether or not It was this perform
ance that finally overstrained her mind,
or whether It was the trouble about
which she was dreaming at the time,
that has broken down her reason. still
remains a deep mystery.
Miss Petit had been living with her
sister. Mrs. Lineback. on Thirty-fffth
street northwest. and for some time af-
ter her sleep walking experiences she
was In highly nervous condition. II
began to appear that her mind was af-
fected, and her sister had grave fears
Tor her.
Breaks Down Completely.
Finally she broke down completely.
and two weeks ago she was taken to
the Government Hospital, or ST. Eliza
beth's Insane Asylum
Miss Petit was a companion for Miss
Mary Thomas, of 1924 street north
west. an elderly woman.
Early in the morning of Saturday
June z. the neighbOrhOOd was startled
by q series OF shTieks from Miss
AU4Dln-
ing houses rushed to windows, to see
Miss Petit climb TO the porch roof in
her night dress, and then up Il rain
spout 10 the roof with remarkable agili-
~ She then worked heT way along the
edge OF the roof, 70 the back of the
house. where she easily and gracefully
lifted herself 10 the higher and steep
er roof. Here she sat down on the
very edge Of the steep slanting roof.
with her feet dangling in the air and
with but the fiimsiest sort Of "A hold.
All the while. she was alternately sob
bing. screaming. and praying forgive
ness for some fancied wrong.
Found Her Sound Asleep
The neighbOrhOod was thrown into an
uproar and assistance was summoned
from every quarter DR.. Munson, a pI y
sician living near By. observed that f-e
was sound asleep and advised that she
be not awakened. The police of the
Seventh precinct made a thrilling res
cue. They did not obey the physicians
injunction, but awakened her AS she
came back to life there was cry OF
horror. as everyone present expected to
see her topple off. In some manL-r she
retained her place.
Physicians were very much interested
in the case from a scientific standpoint
and they have studied il from every
angle One of its most wonderful fea-
lures, they say, is that Miss Petit had
sufficient subconScfOusness to realize
her position upon being awakened, and
to save herself Equally interesting rom
a scientific standpoint was the fact that
Miss Petit, a slight and beautiful girl,
should show such superhuman strength
and agility.
Shock Too Much for Her
1t is now evident, however. that the
shock was much greater than was esti-
mated It is said by Miss Pettit's
friends that she never recovered from
It. She would never disclose her trouble
to the world and although al the time
she admitted that she rss dreaming of
an actual happening in her life, she
would never relate what this was, but
only looked out with great sorroWful
ewes and shook her head
She has never been able to account for
her actions that night She had never
walked in her sleep, or had any somnam-