New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-07
GIRL TAKES POISON
IN STRANGE LOVE TEST
FianCe Told Her He Was Victim
of Tuberculosis and Could
Not Wed.
SURGEON SAVES HER LIFE
Mother Of Supposed Dying"
Youth Denies He Ever Had
Any Symptoms of the
White Plague.

In the belief that her sweetheart had
fallen victim TO tuberculosis and at the
most could live only a few months more.
Edith Madsen. nineteen years old. went
into the uptown subway station at Third
avenue and 18th street early yesterday
morning and swallowed two bIchloride of
mercury tablets Only the prompt action
OF an ambulance surgeon saved her life.
1t was said at the Lincoln Hospital last
night that she stood a fair chance OF re-
covery.
Waiting passengers saw the girl fall un-
conscious and notified the police, who sent
for an ambulance. The surgeon, without
waiting to place her in the ambulance.
used a stomach pump. and then ordered
her taken TO the hospital.
note In her handbag gave the girls
address as No. 1904 Fox street, The Bronx.
When the police got to the house they
found that Miss Madsen had made all
preparations 10 take her life. She had de-
stroyed letters and papers of all sorts,
and had removed every mark or identn-
cation except her name. which was found
in books and on photographs.
A few hours after her arrival at the
hospital. however, the girl regained con-
sciousress. and told the detectives the
story of her troubles. She said that som"
months ago she met Frank FrenZel, OF
No. So East lJ5th street. young insur-
ance clerk. 1t had been case of love
at first sight. and all had gone well until
last Sunday night. when Frenzel called
at the Fox street address and told her
he had discovered that he had tubercu-
losis and must leave at once for the West
10 try to regain his health. He reminded
her that marriage under such conditions
was impossible. and ended the recital OF
his case with a tragic leave taking.
Miss Madsen endured her misery until
Thursday night. when she decided 10
take her life. She left her room little
before midnight. purchased the bichloride
~ mercury tablets and started uptown.
For fear that she would not be able TO
swallow the poison she went into cafe.
bought glass Of beer and when the
waiter was not looking placed paper
over the glass and ran out into the
street with II. She carried the beer 10
the subway station. where she dropped
two tablets into the glass and drank the
solution.
The mystery OF the girls Identity was
cleared up yesterday afternoon. when DIT.
MAIDS Madsen. OF No. Il South Elliott
Place, Brooklyn. appeared at the hospital
and announced that he was her father.
lie said that he had lived in The Bronx
until two and half months ago. Young
Frenzel. he said. had made frequent calls
al the house. and on several occasions
had prolonged them until at last the doc
tor had told Edith that II her caller could
not leave at proper time OF night ne
would have TO be requested TO cease his
visits 4 quarrel followed and resulted
I'm the girls leaving home and taking
room al the Fox street place. Shortly
afterward Or. Madsen removed 10
Brooklyn.
Frenzel could not Doe seen at his home
last night Mrs Frenzel called at the
hospital Yesterday afternoon 10 inquire
about the girls condition. but told All
callers last night that her son was not at
home. II is said that Frenzel Is far from
being the stricken youth Miss Madsen be
liev.d he was. and that his pathetic story
was somewhat in the nature OF an expert
mont 20 test the strength or the girl
ayowals.
Mrs. Frenzel denied last night that her
son had tuberculosis or that he was en-
gagged To the girl.