The Washington herald., 1911-01-06
FOUR GO INSANE: ].
one TRIES SUICIDE
Woman's Timely Arrival
Saves Lunatic's Life
SEEKS DEATH WITH RAZOR
Police Authorities Have Busy Time
with Maniacs-W0man Saves Life
Of would-be Suicide-Escaped In
mate Of St. Elixabeth's Believes
Body Ii Wireless Switchboard.

Insane persons suffering various delu-
violence gave police officials and hospital
authorities rush of work yesterday, and
before the day was done 1t seemed an
epidemic Of insanity had swept over
Washington.
One man nearly succeeded in adding a
tragic end to the day by making a SEN
sational attempt to commit suicide by
cutting his throat with razor. His act
wac that OF q lunatic, the police say, and
he would have succeeded in ending his
life had rot woman suspected his in
sanity and single-handed wrested the
razor from his grasp at her own peril.
Two men suffering mental ailments, but
apparently harmless, were taken in Gus
tody and placed in confinement that they
might not harm themselves or others.
One was arrested when he expressed the
opinion that his body had been trans
formed to a switchboard through which
wireless messages from all parts of the
world were being sent. The other was
run down by street car, attracting po-
lice attention. and thereby unwittingly
allowing his supposed insanity to be dis
covered.
Placed in Confinement.
a woman Of refinement and culture,
who has been adjudged insane three
times. escaped from the Government Hos
pital for the Insane twice and made a
flying trip through a number of cities
while laboring under the delusion that she
was being followed, arrived in Washing
ION and was placed in confinement.
Violently insane. and declaring life held
no attractions. Michael A. Daley, fifty
one years old. attempted to cash his
throat with razor yesterday afternoon,
and was prevented from ending his life
only by the heroic action of Mrs. Cath
crime Peck, landlady of the house at Is
H street northwest, where he boarded.
d, Daley succeeded in slashing his throat,
but the wound is not dangerous, and ply
sicians expect him to recover. He was
arrested after attempting suicide and is
now a patient at the Washington Asylum
Hospital. He probably will be committed
to the Government Hospital for the In
sane.
Daley has been suffering from mental
trouble for some time it is believed, but
his first violence was seen yesterday
when he returned to the clearinghouse
and announced he intended committing
suicide. Mrs. Peck followed him to his
room. fearing the man intended harming
himself.
Saved by Woman.
to bureau. opened a drawer and took
out razor. He opened the blade and
standing before a mirror. started to draw
the weapon across his throat. With a
scream Mrs Peck ran through the door,
and at the risk of her life grappled with
Daley. Before she could stay his hand,
the supposed lunatic had drawn the
blade across his throat The cut was
not deep. but Mrs. Peck feared he had in
ficted a mortal wound.
Grabbing the razor from Daleys hand,
Mrs. Peck called for help and when
other occupants Of the house reached the
room she sent for a physician. DIR. Rob-
ert F.. SiIlers, of 313 H street northwest,
reached the house and found Daley was
not seriously hurt. He dressed the wound
and notified the police.
Policeman Lauten, of the Sixth precinct
took the would-be suicide in custody on
charge of insanity. Daley was es-
corted to the Sixth precinct station and
later removed to the asylum hospital.
His Body a Switchboard"
Believing his body to be a central
switchboard for all the wireless tele-
phones in the world. Marshall McLain.
negro. of 6l7 street northwest. was
arrested yesterday at police headquar-
tiers by Sanitary Officer Sroufe on
Washington Asylum Hospital for OBJ
servation.
McI-ain called at the Office OF a negro
attorney in Four-and-a-hah street and
said he wished to get out an injunction
against a woman who had placed his
body in constant communication with all
wireless telephone stations" The negro
said there was much talking through
his body that he could not sleep or
think.
The attorney accompanied his client to
headquarters, where the arrest followed.
when McLain told his story. The negro
was formerly an inmate Of the Govern
ment Hospital for the Insane. but was
discharged I'm July and went to Charles
ton. S. c. He returned to this city a
few weeks ago.
Held to BE Insane.
Mrs. Louise NJ. White, wife of Dana
White jr.. clerk in the Department of
Commerce and Labor. also spent last
night at the Washington Asylum Hospital
as an insane patient.
Mrs. White escaped from the Govern
ment Hospital for the Insane on May IA.
and about ten days ago was located in
New York. Before she could be taken
into custody she again disappeared, and
three days ago was found in Norfolk,
Va. where she was apprehended and ad-
judged insane.
Mrs. Wehrle. police matron, went to
Norfolk and accompanied Mrs. White to
Washington, the two women arriving
here yesterday morning. They were met
at the wharf by Detective Mullen. who
escorted them to the hospital Mrs.
White has been adjudged insane twice
Capital and Surplus 23W.0oa