Litchfield enquirer., 1833-05-30
From the Boston Atlas.
PASSAGES IN THE LIFE OF rnAs

goal IN Boston, on the 9th of November,
1921, on,a charge of the murder of Billy
| Williams in the State Prison. He had
been sentenced to the State Prison for the
period of seven years aud committed the
murder few days previous TO the expira-
| ton of the term of his Imprisonment. He
was indicted and tried for the murder be-
fore the Supreme Judicial Court held at
the close OF the same year, and was acq1it-
ted by the Jury on the ground of insanity.
tie was kept in confinement, and on the
9Th OF September in the year following,
having apparently recovered his reason in
some degree, he solicited the keeper to al
low him companion to read the Bible to
him, stating that he had heard of some pas
sages in the word Of God which he wished
to learn. His request being deemed rea-
! sonable, was made known to several of the
prisoners, two of whom, committed on
| charges Of crime, consented to be placed
! in his room. They read him such portions
of the Bible as he named, and at night re-
tired to rest.
About two o'clock tho next morning.
the cry of murder resounded through the
prison; and the voice of Trask, elevated
above all, was heard exclainling, "Victo-
ry! Victory Write to the seven church,
es in Ephesus."
When the doors were opened, the pris-
oners had hold of Trask by his arms, to
prevent his doing any more injury. They
were both found to be dangerously wound
ed in the abdomen, and stated that they
had been attacked by Trask while they
were asleep. They fingered for about
fortnight and then died. Fora, long time
after this event, Trask remained very SUR
ly and would not speak to any one.
On the night of Janury Esd, lS2s, Trask
succeeded in elfecting his escape from his |
cell by removing large stone directly be-
low his window. 1t vas discovered that
he had drawn out the large spikes which.
fastened the planks to tho wall, and had
very ingeniously formed the appearance Of
a spike-head andNplaeed it over the holes
formed by the spikes, SO that no one would
have suspected that the spikes had been
removed. He was retaken on the Sd night
after his escape only about eleven miles
from the city. This fact seems conclusive
in regard to his insanity. Otherwise, he
would certainly have succeeded, it is prob
able, in getting farther off. His stupidity
continued for some time after he was again
lodged in gaol.
> The relations of Trask say that when
he was boy, he was injured by the fall Of
tree upon his head, aud that at different
> times ever since, he has had strange turns.
His ingenuity is almos: unparalleled. He
will contrivo to open almost any lock with
: piece of wire or an old nail. He is also
. very cunning, and when you least suspect
= him, is pursuing some scheme tosobtain his
liberty. He will often talk nationally, but
at other times states he has visions.
About three years and a half ago, the
keeper of the gaol was informed by pris-
oner that Trask had been out Of his coll.
He was removed to another apartment and
"A strict search was made. To the aston
ishment of every body, seventeen different
keys, made of pewter, were found, which
would unlock the door of every cell in-tho
arch where he was confined, and all the
doors leadingto tho two other arches above.
Three of the keys would unlock the door
Of his own cell. A variety Of files, saws
and knives were discovered secreted in
different parts of his cell, some of which
were very ingeniously concealed in places
carved out ofthe frame Of his table and the
cleats Of swing shelf. All the furniture
of his room had to be broken up and split
into small pieces, before 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 GER
tainly "a most singular and extraordinary
. being. n. ka
! n Hint to IrGvelIers-Retort COarte.
: ous.-A plain New-England man passed
lately up to Albany, in a steamboat, and
finding no knife by the butter plate. made
use of the one lying before him, which he
had not before used. A lady observing the
circumstance, called out to the servant to
remove the butter, as a gentleman had put
his knife into it. In short time plate
Of sliced beef was passed, when the lady
helped herself to II. not with fork, but
= shocking to relate, with her fingers which
caused the down east man to call to the
servant to take away the beef, for lady
had put her fingers into it.
The Infant Comparison the coun-
- " of Essex, Va. a small boy upon visit
:, 10 an aunt. who was earnestly solicited by
Il A. a. 4. a