DISAPPOINTMENT IN LOVE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10836, 20 August 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

DISAPPOINTMENT IN LOVE.

STRANGE STORY ;OF A PRIVATE ASYLUM. '' ; ■.'■•.

I Ax extraordinary story of love disappoint-. I ment, delusion, and suicide was related ! lately at the Epsom Police Court, in the ! course of proceedings, instituted by the Com- ! missioners in Lunacy, against Dr. Ernest i Noel Reichardt, of Dorset House, Ewell, for I a breach of the law by receiving and de.amin* a lady of unsound mind at his residence when it was not licensed for the reception of lunatics. , . , According to Mr. Bodkin, who prosecuted, Miss Ethel Hannah Stolterfoht, a single lady of thirty-three years of age, returned with a chaperone in March last year from India, where she had been for ton months, and went to live with her brother, Mr. Perryng Thomas Stolterfoht, at Oakfield, Wavertree, Liverpool. She appeared to be somewhat strange and sullen, and complained that she had nothing to do. In July she became a probationer tody nurse at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, where she speedily developed symptoms of mental trouble, and accused herself of every kind of crime except drunkenness, and declared herself a vile creature, unfit for the society of respectable people. She was placed under the supervision of two nurses, and in tue following month was ' removed to the residence of a relative, Dr. Kiiigsford, at Brondesbury, where a nurse had charge o her While there she made an unsuccessful attempt at suicide by taking laudanum, which she had purchased in small quantities. She was then sent to Dr. Reichardt s house, without any certificate or reception order, and a payment of seven guineas a week included the services of two nurses who never left her night or day. She, however, escaped their vigilance, and was found drowned at Dorking with a brick attached to the boa around her neck. Mr P Stolterfoht stated that about a week or ten days before her death his sister sent hiin a letter telling him he was leading a useless and stupid kind of life, and advising him to make away with himself. Witness sent the letter to Mr. Reichardt. Miss Isla Stewart, the matron of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, stated that the dayafter her admission Miss Stolterfoht became depressed, said her life was absolutely useless, and exhibited suicidal tendencies, iho lady was taken off duty, and given in charge of two nurses, with instructions that they were not to lose sight of her. Superintendent Alexander said that Dr. Reichardt told him Miss Stolterfoht, who was a paying guest, was a little queer in her iic,d, naviug neon unset over it love affair but she was getting a great deal better. _ Evidence having been given as to Miss Stolterfohl's conduct at Brondesbury, and as to other ladies staying at Dr. Reichardt s ii'ii...... Mr. H. C. Richards, M. I'., for the defence, denied that the lady was of unsound mind when received, and called Dr. George Henry Savage, who said he was called to see Miss Stolterfoht, but was unable to certify her as ft lunatic. He could get no evidence of delusions. She answered his questions coherently, though reluctantly, as to her past. The only unreasonable thing was that she did not admit the attempt to take her life was enough to alarm her friends. The whole of her history was told him. She had been a little hysterical, and had been sent to India for a change, and to visit hexrelations. She there formed an attachment to a young man without money or position, and younger than herself. This was disapproved of by her friends, and he understood that for that reason they sent ..er back to England. She then seemed upset, and her physical and mental health became irregular. iVncn witness spoke to her about her love affair sho told him that it was nothing to do with him. (Laughter.) One of Dr. Reichardt's servants declared that the windows were barred to prevent the children falling out. The magistrates committed Dr. Reichardt for trial at the Central Criminal Court Dr. Reichardt then addressed the Bench, stating that in the face of Dr. Savage refusing to certify the lady to be insane he could not refuse to take her into his house.