The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-01-18
AN EXCITING SCENE.

Years ago when 1 was youngstcr, [ became an
assistant of Dr. b., the superintendent Of public
insane asylum Some of the patients were docile
and tractable and had the freedom of high wal
led garden while others, being violent and danger
Gus in their madness, were confined to their rooms
Sometimes one of the last named gentlemen would
get loose, fact which he usually announced by
breaking things generally, upon which announce
ment the doctor would repair to the spot at which
he was ''clevatng the ancient Henry" and advanc-
ing upon him with a steadfast gaze, would march
him off to his ROOM. We had one lunatic Jones'
large and strong as an ostrich. He had broken
out of his room two or three times, but had always
gone back docilely when any one of us made our
appearance.
The asylum had a saloon in the centre with a
door at each end; and one of the doors requiring
fixing once upon a time, a carpenter engaged
upon it, when in trunded Mr. Jones, and quietly
possessed himself of long sharp chisel. When
the carpenter looked around the mailman gave
grin and poke of the chisel at him, whereupon the
man of chipscuttled out and locked the door
then, while the enemy was battering away at it, he
rushed around and locked the doorat the other end
Having thus Gagged Jones, he gave the Alarm and
supposing it was an ordinary case, which l could
control, unlocked the door and entered boldly,
whereupon he made a rush at me. | monument
" bolted. The doctor sent for. lie came,
accommodating through the key hole, and ascertain
ing that the enemy was at the other end of the
ROOM he opened the door and saw at that he
could do nothing with the loose maniac. Here
was apparently dilemma. A crazy individual
strong as bull perfectly uncomfortable, and arm
ed with a weapon. To capture him by force was
q difficult and dangerous undertaking. and to sarve
him would be tedious affair. The doctor did not
hesitate long.
"Alfred," said he, ago down into the surgery,
fill the largest syringe with haltshorn and bring it
up"
/ caught the idea, rushed down and brought
back quart syringe with hartshorn diluted-tor
/ did mt want to kill the man. Then the Doctor,
the carpenter and myself formed army Of inva-
sion. We threw open the door and entered in the
following battle array:-I being the shortest Of the
three, marched first holding chair in front of me
by the back so that the legs mi ht keep otfa rush
If our pop-gun flashed in the pan. Then came the
carpenter with the syringe resting upon my shout
der, like piece of flying artillery Finally i'll the
rear, in the safest place, like all great generals,
came DIR. B.
The lunatc sat at the other end of the hall on
a chair cycling us keenly and savagely. Slowly,
very slyly we advanced towards him. The near
er We got the more wicked that chisel looked and
the handle seemed to increase until it very
long. When we got within few feet of him he
jumped up, and sprangs towards me. Whiz. splatter
splash! went the quart of hartshorn into his
tenance-down he went like log-it would have
knocked down battalion-and while he was catch
ing his breath we caught him.