SINGULAR CASE OF HALLUCINATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1977, 23 October 1888, Page 2

SINGULAR CASE OF HALLUCINATION.

THREE WOMKtf K^SOLVHJ TO STARVE TBEMSEIVES.

A singular oaae of hallucination on the part of three msiden ladles, aioters, named Angelica Lowers, 68 years, Hurrfot Amelia Lowers, 60 yearn, and Annie Maria Lowers, 68 years of age, hao reoently been brought to light at Oolllnqwood, a suburb cf Melbourne. It would app?ar that for the last four yean three elderly ladles have resided by themselves m a small hut situated In Gippa street, Oolliogwood, They obtained their living by mending and knitting laoe caffs and oollara. They wero known to be Id a distressed state, and as they would not aocopt any food or asßlotanoe from the neighbors various stratagems had to bo resorted to In order to Induce them to acoept relief m gome shape. The matter came under the notice of the Local Ladies' Benevolent Soolety, and by this means soma assistance was afforded the ecoentrlo ladles. There was not any furniture In the hut, and the three women ■lopt on the floor on mats or sugar bags. A few old art'oles. of bed-covering were thrown over them at night. Aboat three weeks sinoe they decided not to work any more. They Informed one of the neighbors- that they were "kept m bondage under the ullont system, and would not aooopt charity or assistance from anyone." They were resolved not to eat, but to starve themselves to death. Strong inducements were brought to bear And Mrs Mantel, of the Ladles Benevo* lent Soolety, visited them. This lady did all that was possible to bring the poor women to a more reasonable state «f mind, They, however, would only consent to aooept one small loaf ef bread a day, and with this they drank a little cold water. The rent of the small place they lived m wae paid by the Indies society above named. Matters went on m this way nntil the 7th Inst., when Mr J.Donaldson, agent for the owner of the tenement m which the three women lived, finding that they were firmly resolved npon starving themselves to death, paid S«rgeant Devlne a visit at the Oolllngwood police station. The result was that an Information wbb sworn under the Lunaoy Statute, Beotion 7, and Dr MoOoll was instructed to visit the women. He did so, and has reported that thoy were laborIng under delusions, »nd unfit to be at largo. Warrauts were obtained for their arrest, which were duly executed. Tho throo sisters wore brought quietly before PolioiJ Ol)Ur^ when Dr. MoOoll aud Dr Courtney testified to their noanlty. An order was then made for their admission to the Yarra Bend Asylum, to which place they were at onoß sent and whore they now remain. The three unfortunate slstera appear to have seen butter unys, and Sergeant Devine was oareful In seeing that they were treated with delloaoy and kindness to far ca their peoullar position would permit. As far as can be ascertalned at present the sisters Lowers navo neither relatives not friends In the , oolopy.