Daily Davenport Democrat Davenport, Scott, Iowa April 15, 1870 Police Court. Several parties were brought up before Justice Peters today on various charges. One J.D. George surrounded himself with too much valley tan and was fined $2 therefor. J.G. Sanford and Caroline Stanton were arrested for bringing several persons to a house of ill fame. Fined $20 and costs: went to jail in default. April 22, 1870 Insanity-A young Lady becomes a Raving Lunatic. A sad case of insanity transpired today on our public streets, which excited the city of all who beheld it. The facts in the case substantially are as follows. About four miles from the city of Ottumwa resided a family by the name of Fisher. There were two sisters in the family, the youngest one Lydia E. aged 22 is the one with whom we have to do. She came to Davenport two years ago, seeking employment, which she found at Joseph Shield's factory, where she tended a loom. She boarded with William Nelson on Main St. where she lived eighteen months, working early and late at the factory, and winning the good will of everyone by her correct deportment and unexceptionable character, Six months ago she went to live in the family of E.A. Tilebein, working still at Shields and there she remained until the present time. One night about a week ago, Mr. Tilebein and his wife were awakened by a series of shouts, prayers,and singing from her room, upon going thither they found her laboring under a temporary attack of insanity superinduced by strong religious excitement. She recovered in a short time and appeared as well as ever during the past few days, except an occasional wild look about the eyes. Just after dinner today, she quietly left the house and walked directly through the water above the railroad bridge, over two and a half feet deep, and turned down Third street, where she commenced to swing her parasol, shout, and conduct her self like one demented. Mr. Tilebein had left his home a few moments before, and took the street cars down to Western avenue, where , after transacting some business, he turned down to Second street and sin walking up he met Miss Fisher coming toward him, with a rabble of boys following her. Her clothes were wet through and through, soiled and torn, and she was talking incoherently. Mr. T. could scarcely believe his own eyes that this was the neatly dressed girl he had left quietly eating dinner with his wife half an hour since. An officer, who had been watching her movements came up, and the two persuaded her to go up to Major Schnitger's where a room was furnished her, and proper treatment administered. At this writing she is still raving wildly and talking as only insane persons can talk. Miss Fisher had recently been attending revival meetings at the Baptist church, and had become greatly aroused on the subject of religion with the above result. She is represented by all who know her as a very amiable girl of strict integrity and pleasing manners. The best of medical attendance has been summoned and pleasant apartments assigned her at the jail where she remains temporarily until a suitable place can be provided for her. April 23, 1870 Miss Fisher's Lunacy In the following communication from the pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church, is set forth the supposed true cause of the deplorable mental condition in which Miss Fisher was found upon the streets yesterday. Having no acquaintance with the unfortunate young woman, we are unable to speak, of our own knowledge. What our reporter said of the cause of her demented condition he gathered from the statements of those who knew her. Messrs Editors: In the Democrat of yesterday was the article concerning Miss Fisher, in which occurred the following statements. She was found "laboring under a temporary attack of insanity, superinduced by strong religious excitement. Miss Fisher had recently been attending revival meetings at the Baptist Church, and had become greatly aroused upon the subject of religion, with the above result. Now , Sirs, I venture to say that no one who had ever attended any of these meetings at the Baptist church which closed several weeks ago were entirely free from excitement and all exciting circumstances. They were conducted as are ordinary prayer meetings in this or other churches. The attendance at any time was scarcely larger than at the regular Thursday evening prayer meeting for the past year. That this case of insanity was "superinduced" by attending such meetings, would not have been stated by any one acquainted with these facts. Besides, Miss Fisher attended these meetings by no means regularly. She stated that she had formerly been a member of the Baptist church in Ottumwa, but had not walked as a christian for some time past. She expressed in the meetings a desire to renew her life and become a member of the church. But in this she certainly showed no evidence of intense excitement. A diseased system for which she was under careful medical treatment, struggling to maintain herself with scarcely strength for her daily toil, vexed with previous troubles, all these combined have undoubtedly for a time overwhelmed reason. Justice to the cause of religious compels me to ask you to make these statements. Yours, T.W. Powell. April 27, 1870 Police news. But one case before Justice Peters today, which was that of Henry Williams, for assaulting and fighting with Lindary Kitts. Fined $6 and costs and sent to jail in default. Cathy Joynt Labath Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm