Asleep as She Walks

Anna Rossman, a beautiful woman about 22 years old, was found walking the streets of Denver in a somnambulistic condition on a recent afternoon, says the Rocky Mountain News. An Italian fruit vender noticed the strange condut of the young lady near the corner of 15th and Arapahoe streets. She walked into the drug store at the mining exchange, the police were notified and the patient was taken to her home. The case is a very peculiar one, and has before been brought to the attention of the police department during the past two months. On account of the family, all mention of the matter has, until this time, been suppressed. It is evident, however, that the somnambulistic tendencies of the unfortunate woman have become chronic and the peculiar features of the attach are attracting the attention of physicians. Miss Rossman formerly lived in Pueblo. There she attracted attention by her strange performances, walking about the streets apparently awake, but really asleep and totally unconscious of where she was going. Removing to Denver, the same conduct was continued, and the family then went to Cheyenne. They again came to this city and settled at the place they now reside. It is claimed by the friends of the afflicted woman that she is possessed of supernatural powers, is gifted with second sight, and that other strange phenomena are within her control. In these spells she would attract but little attention were it not for the fact that she is utterly oblivious of passing objects and walks before carriages, street cars and other vehicles with recklessness. Otherwise her appearance is that of a person in possession of her normal senses. A little over a month ago she was found at the union depot, and Yardmaster Pierce discovered that she was not aware of where she was. A carriage was called, she was taken to the police station, and afterward to her home. Again on the 7th of March she was found in a similar condition at the Glenarm hotel. One day when Dr. Johnson, the police surgeon, was in a restaurant, Miss Rossman walked in and the waiter thought that she was intoxicated. Grasping the situation, Dr. Johnson left his meal, took the patient’s arm, and quietly walked with her to her home, Miss Rossman being all the while utterly oblivious of the notice she was occasioning from bystanders. The young lady had come from Cheyenne just before her latest sleep-walking experience, and walked from the depot to the place where it was found that she was still asleep. No information could be gained as to what she had been doing at Cheyenne or whether she had made that trip in a somnambulistic state. When the ambulance came to the mining exchange Miss Rossman was taken quietly to the conveyance and realized nothing of the situation until her home was reached. She then awakened out of the deep sleep, but gave no particulars as to her sudden visit north. She is a beautiful blond, has the sympathy of all who know her in the unusual affliction which has befallen a woman who is said to be possessed of a bright mind. When these fits have passed away she knows nothing of what has transpired.