Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-12-07
From the Providence American.
EFFECTS OF INSANITY.

A horrid transaction occurred IN Barnstu5ir,
Mass about the l2lh instant, the particulars
Of which we have not sren stated. A man by
the name Of Lo, Scudder, who had uniformly
sustained a most re spestable character for pie
~, intelligence and probity, became dcranged
four or five years since, and committed sever
al extravagant acls, but was nt'er deemed Il
dangerous person. His insanity was probably
species Of fanaiical madness, and displayed 1t.
self in The violence and extravaganza Of his
harrangues upon religious topics. Two or
three years since he vas placed by his friends
in the Luna,ic Asylum near Boston, and was,
after some stay ;here, returned to them appar-
emily fully restored to himself. This state 1T
tranquility continued until recent period
when he began TO show signs of a return OF The
malady, In all lis original force Still not the
eas, apprehension was entertained OF his pro-
ceeding 10 any act OF violence. In oQe OF his
paroxysms he go; possession oil gun, KNAPP
sack, atridge box. &c. and alter parading
the streets for some time, without, IL would
seem, exciting sufficient alarm 10 induce the
arigbors 10 secure him, he went into house,
some distance, from his own. ard took posses
sion, with the intention Of certifying it. A man
Of the name Of Sampson, who occupied the
house, appears either 10 have been excessively
weak, or to have caught the insanity OF Scud-
der. AT any rate, Scuddrr, who naturally pos
sessed grea, energy Of mind and character, so
completely got the ascendancy which his quail
i,y. added 10 his insanity, enabledhim TO assume
over Sampson, hat the latter believed him
Inspired, and executed his commands with he
mos, submissive subsefviency. Sampson was
employed to get ammunition, run balls, and
make other preparations for defence, all Of
4. L. 4 -. e . ha
without, giving TO his neighbours any inlima-
ton Of wha, was going on.
Toward evening, however, the neighbors be-
gan to be alarmed * gathered rohnd the house
with the intention OF securing Scudder. The
exaggerated stories, however, Of his threats s,
means oil defence, were such as to ,errify' the
people, so that no one liked 10 run the risk or
first cncountrring the maniac. 1t is said that
previous to the gathering Of the neighbours,
Scudder had despatched the wife cf Sampson,
10 inform Mr.. Timothy Crocker, who li,ed a
bout half mile OF, that he wished TO see him.
The maniac had bound the woman by oaths,
to return, and not 10 give information 70 any
one but Mr.. Croker, retaining her husband &
children as hostages for her good faith. The
woman, we believe, com 3lied with the terms,
and returned again 10 the house, though she
gave out some hints that occasioncd the gath
ering Of the neighbours. Mr.. Croker arrived
at the house in the evening, and having always
possessed great coatrol over Scudder in his
paroxysins Of madness, walked directly up 10
window in the house, and commenced con-
versaiion with him, 10 persuade him 10 go
home. Scudder merely proposed one or two
questions. by which he ascertained the name OF
his intended victim, and without giving the
slightest inlimation Of his intention scharged
his gun through hole he had broken for The
purpose, in the window. Two balls passed
through the body of the unfortunate MIR. Crock
er, and he fell dead on the spot.
This catastrophe produced SO great con.
s,ernation among the people that no one would
venture near the house except one young gen.
l!eman of the name Of acon, who rushed up
and seized the nuzzIe If Scudder's gun, think
ing to disarm him before he could reload it.
He succeeded, however in wres,iag The ramrod
from the maniac, and it being supposed there
were other guns in the house, no further at
tempt was made to secure its inmates. The
dead body of Mr.. Crocker was suffered 10 re-
main where it fell, until eleven O'Clock the next
morning. In the mean time Scudder had salli-