The Washington times., 1922-03-27
W0MAN|N
BAT TIE IN
TREE TOP
Demented Mother Fights Res
cuer-Attempt at Death
Leap Thwarted.

After defying hospital officials,
police, and firemcn for eighteen
hours, Mrs. Annie Lymboroplas,
twenty-seven-yecar old inmate of
st. Elizabeth's Hospital, this
afternoon was rescued from 1sh~
top, of a 40-foot tree, which over
looks a 75-foot ravine.
The rescue was effected by the
erection of a scafold to within
seven feet of tho woman. 7. w.
Southall, guard at the hospital,
with the aid of a ladder, climbed
up to Mrs. Lymboroplas and car
ried her down to the scaffold.
Tried to Jump Into Ravine.
Although weak from exposure,
Mrs. Lynboropias put up a stiff
fight. She attempted to jump into
the ravine. A half-dozen men. who
climbed tire sCuffold. held Mrs. Lynn.
borplas and carried her TO the
ground.
Since $50 o'clock last night. when
she escaped from q building and
climbed nearly to the top of the tree,
the insane woman has prevented
rescuers from bringing her down. A
threat TO jump into the ravine. which
in all probability would have meant
instant death, kept hospital officials
from taking drastic measures.
After twelve hours of unsuccessful
attempts II was decided this morn
ing to erect a scaffold around the
tree.
About 1915 o'clock the scaffold had
been brought to within about twenty
feet of the woman. Mrs. Lymbor.
oplas then climbed higher. Another
ten.foot addition was built by the
workmen. Then Southall. the guard.
obtained a ladder and rescued the
woman.
Nearly 1000 people witnessed the
rescue.
Baby Fails as Lure.
When the fifteen months old baby
was brought to the tree, gurgling
and cooling in infantile bliss. Mrs.
Lymboroplas Historically repudiated
II.
That's not my child" she cried.
MY baby's asleep"
Her husband again pleaded with
for the child's sake She replied
by climbing up to the next limb.
DR.. White then ordered every
body TO move out of sight Of the
tree in the hope that the woman
would come down. A tray of tempt
ing food was first placed at the
foot of the tree. This ruse, too,
failed
Then mattresses were piled de ~
under the tree and in the bottom Of
the deep rav!ne over which the tree
hangs. Carpenters were brought and
set to work erecting platform under
the tree. When the platform had
been built to leight of fifteen fee:
the woman, grimacing and shouting
ct the twelve or more workers all the
while, climbed iigher. The platform
was raised to twenty feet and she
again climbed urward.
Mattresses have been placed on the
platform, as it Is feared that the tree.
d half-dead chestnut oak, will break
under her weight,
Has Superhuman Strength.
The woman seems possessed of al
most supcrhun.an strength. accord.
ing to nurses and doctors who are
constantly on the scene to render
first aid in case she falls. In spite
Of the long night OF exposure. and
despite that sh, is scantily clad and
without food, she moves vigorously
and supports herself seemingly with.
out effort.
Inmates Of the %" building, where
she was confined, have been IN a
continual excited clamor since her
escape. Though they have not teen
told Of Mrs. Lymboroplas' plight
they seem. to know trat she Is out.
whiting her would.be Captors.
DR.. Mary O'Mallev one Of the
most distinguished authorities on
the type Of hallucination from which
the woman is suffering, expressed
surprise that Mrs. Lymboroplas hsd