Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-05-09
LOSES MIND
ON JOURNEY
Strange Lady Insists Upon Leaving
New York Central Train at Wau-
seOn-PrOmpt Action Of Local
Officials-Relatives Located -
Sent on to Destination

An unusual incident, for Wauseon
at least, occurred last Sunday after
noon and gave some of our local
officials anything but a quiet Sun
dav afternoon.
When Train No. 23 pulled in to
the New York Central Station, a
lady about fifty years of age left the
train in spite of the protests and
efforts of the crew of that train;
Mr.. Boiler, local agent of the New
York Central Lines and Mayor C.
NJ. Bulger happened to witness the
incident and Immediately notified
Sheriff Boone who took the woman
into custody and escorted her to the
home Of Judge A. M. Barber on
East Oak Street. Judge Barber's
efforts to learn the woman's name
we're at first unsuccessful; she being
unable to tell who she was, where
she was from or where bound; she
had become suddenly demented
While the Judge was questioning
her, ladies who had accompanied the
Sheriff and his charge to Judge
Barber's home, went through her
travelling bag and discovered a Red
Cross Magazine bearing the name of
Mrs. M. ]. Powers; with this help
the Judge finally succeeded in get.
ting her to state that her name was
Mary Jane Powers. The next step
which was to learn the location of
any relatives or friends was not &c
easy: The woman referred to "John
who was on his beat" and finally
patient questioning en- the part Of
the Judge .elicit0d the information
that "John on his beat" was her son
a policeman in Poughkeepsie. The
Sheriff took his charge to the county
Jail and placed her in the detention
room. Judge Barber wired Police
man John Powers of Poughkeepsie
New York and Mr.. Boiler communi
Central officials. 1t was also dis
covered that she had son who is a
sign painter in Chicago. The woman
was frantic Sunday afternoon and
evening but rested quietly Sunday
night and appeared much better on
Monday morning, though she had
no idea of where she was or where
she was going; She had become sud
denly demented on the train be-
tween Toledo and Wauseon. Bag
gage checks that the woman threw
away after reaching Wauseon show
ed hGr destination to be CHICAGO.
Early Monday morning Judge
Barber received a message from
Policeman John Power of Pough
keespie, asking for full details anC
stating that he would come on mex
train after receipt of details. Judge
Barber also received a message from
the Divisional office of the New
York Central Ines that he shoulC
have Mrs. Powers delivered into tht
custody of a special policeman whit
would be on the morning Wes
bound train and would conduct he
TO her destination, Chicago.
Judge Barber at once wired Johl
Powers of Poughkeepsie to wire hi
brother in Chicago to meet thei
mother in Chicago.
Sheriff Boone delivered his charg
Co the special police on the eigh
o'clock train and what might hav
been another "mysterous disappear
arce" causing untold anguish o
SUSPENSE and anxiety on the par
Of friends and relatives was averte
by the thoughtful and prompt actiol
on the part of the Wauseon people
Just one of those unusual occur
rences in which officials are Gale
Co act unofficalIy; but which test tn
, quality and manhood of such of
! ficia's. We have reason to be prou
OF WaUseon officials: They do no
, sidestep responsibilities.