The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-12-05
Erom the Propidence .4merican.

rum dtC FOttuCUCe s1OlGFtCuH.
EFFEcTs OF INSANITY A horrid trans
action occurred in Barnstable, Mass. about
the 18th Nov. Lot Scudder, who had
uniformly sustained a most respectable
character for piety, intelligence and probi-
ty, became deranged four or five years
since, and committed several eXtravagant
acts, bat was never deemed a dangerous
person. His insanity displayed itself in
the violence and extravaganza of his ha-
rangues upon religious topics. Two or
three years since, he was placed hy his
friends in the Lunatic Asylum near Boston,
and was, after some stay there, returned to
them apparently restored to himself This
state Of tranquility continued until re-
cent period, when he began to show signs
OF return of the malady in all its original
force. Still, not the least apprehension
was entertained Of bis proceeding to any
act of violence. In one of his paroxysms,
he got possession of a gun, knapsack, cart
ridge box, &c. and, after parading the
streets for some time, without, it would
seem, exciting sufficient alarm to induce
49, - : FrF'vyr5 70 srS7tITv fIIfII ne vytu ir,to
! a mouse, some distance from his own. and
LOOK possession, with the intention of forti-
lying II. man of the name of Samson
VINO occupied the house, appears either to
nave been excessively weak. or 10 have
caught the insanity Of Scudder. At anv
fate' Scudder, who naturally possessed
great energy o. mind and character so
completely got the ascendancy which this
quailty' added to his insaGi V, enabled him
10 assume over Sampson, that the latter
renewed HIM inspired, and executed his
commands with the most submissive sub
serViehcy Sampson was employed to get
ammunition, run balls, and make other
preparations OF defence, all of which he
aiu' uhuer the threats of the maniac. with
out giving 10 his neiehhors any intimation
81 what was going on. Toward evening.
however, the nelghbors began to be alarm
ea' ana gathered round the house with the
intention OF securing Scudder The exap-
scfated stories, however, of his threats and
means OF defence, were such as to terrifv
cie people, SO that no one liked TO run the
!lsh OF nrst encountering the maniac. #
- - sdlu tnat, previous to the gathering of
the holghbors, Scudder had despatched
u. tne WlIe q Sampson, to inform MIR. limo
ny Grocker, who lived about half a mile
on that ne wished to see him. The mani
az hdd hound the woman by oaths. To re-
Iuih; anu not to give information to. anv
que nut Cfocker, retaining her husband and
", as hostages for her good faith
: ne woman, we believe, complied with the
-elihs; and returned again to the bouse
no'gh she gave out some hints that occa-
y" the gathering of the neighhors.-
dl' Cfocker arrived at the house in the
'sehihg, and, having always possessed
great control over Scudder in his parox-
SINS OF madness, walked directly IN to
'ih'ioW ~ the house, and commenced n
ohteIsaUon with him, to persuade him to
= nome. ocudder merely proposed one
7 TWO questions, by which he ascertainad
ne name OF his intended victim and viii
ut giving the slightest intimation ~ hi
mention, discharged his gun tbronqb
oie ne mad broken for the purpose. IN the
window. Two balls passed tbronob ~
ooy OF the unfortunate Mr.. Crocker ond
e tel dead on the spot. - "''"
49, : ms catastrophe produced SO great
onsternatlon among the people. that no
- Wouiu venture near the house. excent
ue young gentleman of the name of Ra-
az & VINO rushed up and seized the mus5le
ocudder's gun, thinking to disarm him
elore ne could reload it. He succeeded
o"eVer, only IN wrestling the ramrod from
= 'iia,liac, ana, 1t being supposed there
ere other guns in the house, no f,rtbor
Tempt was made to secure its inmates
ne dead body of Mr.. Croker was suffer'
to remain where it fell, until eleven
clock the next morning. In the mean
ne Scndder had sailed from his fo,tress
q pursued q hoy with the intent to sboot
q, the lad only escaping by falling into
ultch IN ms terror, and the mailman RIM
az over the place without seeing HIN.
ON this excursion he soon returned r.
mouse, and number of resolute ner-
Us haVlng collected they forced the door.
u SCI Sc Ed HIM before he had time 10 do
further mischief He was found snr-
lnned with axes, shoeknves, and other
apons and his assistan. Sampson, busilv