The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1833-05-18

| PASSAGES IN THE LIFE OF TRAsK.-
Howard Trask was committed to the gaol
in Boston, on the 9th day of November,
1921, on charge of the murder of. Billy
Williams, in the State Prison. He had
been sentenced to the State Prison for a
period OF seven years and committed the
murder few days previous 10 the expi-
ration OF the term OF his imprisonment
lie was indicted and tried Tor the murder
before the Supreme Judicial Court held
at the close Of the. same year, and was ac-
Quilted by the jury on the ground of insan-
ny. lie was kept in confinement, and
on the ninth Of September in the following
year, having apparently recovered his
reason IN some degree he solicited the
keeper to allow him companion to read
the Bible to him, stating that he could moi
read and that he had heard ol some passa-
ges in the word OF God which he wished
10 learn. His request being deemed rea.
sonable, was made known 10 several o.
the prisoners, two Of whom, committed or
charges OF crime, consented to be placed
in his room They read him such por.
tions Off Bible as he named, and a
night retired to rest.
| About two o'clock the next morning
the cry Of murder resounded through The
prison; and the voice OF Trask, elevatee
above all, was heard, exclaiming, Vic.
tory!-- -Victory!-Write to the seven chur-
ches in Ephesusw
When the doors were opened, the pris.
oners had hold of Trask by his arms, tc
prevent his doing them any more injury
They were both found to be dangerously
wounded in the abdomen and stated that
they had been attacked by Trask while
they were asleep. They fingered for a.
bout fortnight and then died. For Il
long time ai,er this event, Tras!i remained
very surly and would not speak to any
one.
On the night of January 23d, 1898,
Trask succeeded in eilecting his escape
from his cell by removing large stone
directly below his window. 1t was dis
covered that he had drawn out the large
spikes which fastened the planks to the
wall, and had very ingeniously formed
from the contents of his niglit-tub, the ap
poarance ola spike-hcad and placed it ov
er the holes formed by the spikes, so tha
no one would have suspected that tn,
spikes had been removed. He was re
taken OIL the Sd night alter his escape on
Iiv about eleven miles from the CITY. 9hi
Iact sccms conclusive in regard to his in
sanity. Otherwise, he would ccrtainl
have succeeded, it is probable, in gcttin
farther off. His stupidity continued fo
Isomc time after he was again lodged j
Igaol.
| The relations of Trask say that whc1
he was boy, he was injured by the fal
Of tree upon his head, and that at differ
ent times ever since, he has had strange
turns. His ingenuity is almost unparai
leled. sio will contrive to open almost
any lock with piece Of wire or an old
nail. lie is also very cunning, and when
you least suspect him, is pursuing some
scheme to obtain his liberty. lie will
often talk nationally, but at other times
states he has visions.
About three years and half ago, the
keeper OF the Jail was informed by pris
oner that Trask had been out OF his cell
lie was removed to another apartment
and st'ict search made. To the aston
lshmcnt Of every body, seventeen differ
ent keys, made Of pewter were found
which would unlock the door OF every
cell in the arch where he was confined,
and all the doors leading to the other two
arches above. Three Of the keys would
unlock the door of his own cell. A yar-
ETY. Of files, saws and knives were discov-
cred secreted in diilereot parts of his cell,
some Of which were very ingcniousy con-
cealed in places carved out of the frame
of his table and the elects ola swing shelf
All the furniture in his room had to be
broken up and split into small pieces, be-
fore all his instruments were found. For
the last three years, his behaviour was
peaceable and correct, and he made no
attempt to escape. He is certainly a
most singular and extraordinary being
Boston .4ilas.
L Il