The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-10-26
Fearful Leap by an Insane Man from
Railroad Car.
Prom the chicago Republican, October 70


It is known to many that Mr.. George
Bartlett, of the firm of Bartlett Brothers
under the Sherman House, has been fol
some time insane, and was taken about 0
wear ago for treatment to the State asylum
at Jacksonville. After a previous unsuc.
cessful attempt, he lately escaped from
that institution and returned to Chicago
There seems to be no abatement in hi!
malady, and, after short sojourn in the
city, it was determined by his friends K
take him back to the asylum. He mani.
tested the most intense opposition to THU
when it was being discussed, and con
tinued to do so until he was safely en-
sconced on the train.
After the train was under way, with thai
deep cunning which is often exhibited BY
insane persons, he professed to believe that
upon due consideration, his best course
would be to yield to the wishes OF hi
friends. The train left here on Wednes
day night. Deceived by his professions O
acauiescence, the two guardians retired x
rest-one of them, Mr.. Willard, occupying
the same berth with Mr.. Bartlett. A
about o'clock in the morning Mr.. Bart
left arose from his berth and retired to one
end Of the car, but his absence being dis
covered, he returned again to his couch
shortly afterward he made q renewed at
tempt TO get out of bed, but was detected
and induced to desist. In few moments
more,. when his bed-fellow had dropped
into q momentary slumber., he appears u
have sprung lightly from his berth and t.
have gone to the door Of the car. His alb
sence was discovered in an instant by hi
guardian, who ct once sprang to the fool
and rushed out upon the platform. Just
as he was opening the door he met the
colored janitor, who informed him that MIR
Bartlett had gone out on the platform II
his stocking.feet, and hAd jumped from ths
train. The train was running at the ratG
Of thirty miles an hour ct the time, and il
was very difficult for . person to maintain
footing outside the car. -sr& ~
The scene Of the occurrence was about
Ave miles this side Of Lincoln, which place
the train reached In q few moments. Here
Mr.. Willard and Mr.. Huntington got of
from the train, and rs soon as il was day
light, proceeded on foot up the track for 9
distance Of twelve miles, but without find.
ing o single trace of the insane man
Every nook, Granny, and .culyert on either
side was searched, but nothing was seen tG
indicate that Mr.. Bartlett was in the re.
gion, nor was there anything to show where
be had landed when he, made the fearful
1san 81 haf GllNx9 UiifJ s. i ~ scs ~
l sIhe embankment for the whole distance
was Of . soft, grassy, or sandy nature, and
Incredible as it may seem, It is believed
that he has sustained no injury, but ID
lurking somewhere In the vicinity. This
happened on Thursday morning, and
though the search has been continued un-
der the superintendent Of the lunatic's
brother, Mr.. William Bartlett, and several
other persons, ever since the occurrence,
nothing has yet been discovered of the
insane man. Mr.. Bartlett has an insurance
Of 9lOi 900 on his life, which makes the
question of his safety matter of great
pecuniary interest to the life insurance
comDAnies. syeAs ~