Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-02-10

A most pathetic case Of insanity
came to public attention this morning.
when the commissioners adjudged In
sane Miss Louise Townsend. aged 80.
the only daughter.of Mr.. and Mrs. W.
H. H. Townsend, 1O4 North First
avenue. The hearing was held at the
Townsend home. In many ways the
case is a most pitiable one. and doubly
50 for the parents, who are heart
broken by the sorrow that has come to
them because of their daughters sud-
den breakdown.
Because Of the young woman's vio-
lent condition 1t was thought that
possibly it might be necessary to
transport her to the state hospital for
the insane an Independence on cot.
EShe left for there early this afternoon.
in charge of Deputy Sheriff G. b. Ma
son and nurse. The commissioners
advised that Miss Townsend be taken
to the hospital at once for treatment.
and those interested. or who have been
brought in touch with the case. will
hope that speedy cure may be eff
fected.
10 Nervous Breakdown.
According to those best acquainted
with Miss Townsend's case her mental
condition is the direct result of a Sc
we're physical andsnervous breakdown.
She has been sick at her parents home
for a month, but no marked evidences
of mental arrangement were mani
tested until Wednesday. while she was
in Cedar Rapids. There her condition
became SO violent that the police were
called to care for her. and since she
was brought home. early Thursday
morning, her condition has remained
violent Since her return it has been
necessary for the physician, who was
called to administer sedatives fro
quently to quiet the patients nerves
and for the further reason that it was
feared the young woman might harm
herself.
Has Been Here Month.
Miss Townsend, who 10 q most
capable stenographer. had been en-
ployed most Of the time for about SIX
years in Dies MONIES. She returned
home a month ago because OF III
health. At Des Moines she was en-
ployed at the Methodist hospital and
later by insurance and law Arms. Dur
ing that time she went to Minneapolis.
where she remained for about q year.
but later returned to Des lMoines.
When she came to this city she was
sick, and since then she has been SER
iously i'll, her nervous system beng
badly impaired. Recently she had be-
come much improved. and for the pur-
pose Of looking for a position. she went
to Cedar Rapids Tuesday morning.
Becomes Violent While There.
abe be-
came violent and, taking a position IN
the street. she invited an oncomins
automobile to run her down. 1t Is also.
said that she threatened to throw ner-
self in the Cedar river. The police were
informed of her condition. late In the
afternoon, and she was placed IN charge
of the police matron, and the local po-
lice were notified. They communicat-
ed with Mr.. and Mrs. Towsend. ana
were instructed to bring her home.
Desk Sergeant Goodale went to Cedar
Rapids Wednesday night and returned
with the young woman early THURSDAY
morning. A physician was at once call
ed to the house and such restoratives
and uuieting measures as were advis-
able were employed. She showed no
Improvement and Mr.. Townsend was
advised this morning by the physician
to file the complaint that resulted IN
the Investigation.
Mind Badly Upset.
The physician saw her several times
Thursday and last night During that
time and this morning her mind wan
dered badly. ard during the night she
attempted to escape from the house.
This morning her condition seemed no
better and while the commissioners
,,.o.. <t,oro ,Lo cold che fh0,1cf1t IL mart
of her brain was taken out she would