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From: "Pat Mims" <>
Subject: Old news October 29, 1897, Rochester, NY
Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2004 17:19:28 -0400


Union and Advertiser
October 29, 1897
Rochester, NY

"Dr." Thomas Francis O'BRIEN, poet, still defies the world in spite of the fact that his lodging house was raided last night. He has for some time had his cheap lodging house on State street in a tumble down building next to the Rochester candy works.

Complaints of O'BRIEN's place have frequently been made to the police. The employees of the candy factory have been much annoyed by the actions of women about the O'BRIEN premises. Last night Officer CULLIGAN who has been watching the place, raided it and took into custody Bridget SHORT, about 30 years of age; Ida BUTACHLE, 16, Jennie WILKINSON, 19 and Phoebe MUXWORTHY, 19.

The most serious complaint was made against Bridget SHORT. She was charged with making indecent exposures of herself in the windows of the O'BRIEN ranch in full view of the employees of the factory next door. She was tried and convicted on this charge this morning and sentenced to serve one year in the penitentiary. She has frequently been arrested for drunkenness.

The MUXWORTHY girl says she came from Buffalo a short time ago and went to the O'BRIEN place. She had entertained men there and she had seen men come into the place and act in an indecent manner. This was with the knowledge of the SHORT woman, the witness said, but whether it was with the knowledge of O'BRIEN or not, she did not know.

The court advised Chief CLEARY to have O'BRIEN brought in on the statements of the young women. So it is probable that O'BRIEN will soon be placed under arrest. The WILKINSON girl came to Rochester from Canada a short time ago having run away from home. An older sister came to the city yesterday in the search of Jennie and learned nothing of her whereabouts till last night when the girl was placed under arrest. The BUTSCHLE girl has been arrested several times.

DECISION OF COMMISSION AS TO THE TAILOR'S SANITY.
Neighbors Tell of Many Strange Acts Committed by the Man Under Indictment.
Has a Mania for Assaulting People--Threw a Beer Keg Through a Window.

The commission of lunacy, appointed by County Judge SUTHERLAND to examine into the mental condition of Louis FINZER, reported this afternoon that he is insane. A large number of witnesses were sworn as to the man's sanity. FINZER is a tailor and is now in jail under an indictment charging him with grand larceny. The trend of most of the testimony submitted is to the effect that the unfortunate man has a mania for making unprovoked attacks on people, it apparently making no difference whether they (didn't get the rest)

--Submitted by Patricia Stillwell Mims

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