The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1866-11-08
Terrible Leap An insane Person Jumps
from Railroad Train Going at the
Rate of Thirty Miles an Hour.


1t is known to many that Mr.. George
Bartlett, of the firm Of Bartlett Brothers.
under the Sherman House, has been for
some time insane, and was taken about
year ago for treatment to the State
Asylum, at Jacksonville After q pre-
vious unsuccessful attempt, he lately
escaped from that institution, and re-
turned to Chicago. There seemed to be
no abatement in his malady, and, after a
short sojourn in the city, it vas determin-
ed by his friends to take him back to the
asylum He manifested the most intense
opposition to this when it was being dis
cussed, and continued to do SO until he
was safely ensconced in the train. Two
persons, Mr.. =. c. Willard and Mr. Pope
Huntington, were sent with him, the for
mer being his associate in business; and
it was thought that no unusual prccau-
tionary measures would be necessary to
insure his safe arrival. After the train
was under way, with thai deep cunning
which is often exhibited by insane per
sons, he professed to believe that, upon
a due consideration, his best course
would be to yield to the wishes Of his
friends He even eulogized upon the
comforts of the asylum, and was par
ticularly delighted with the attentions he
had received while there. He thought
that about six months longer stay in the
institution, under its excellent treat
ment would suffice to restore him to his
normal condition The train left here on
Wednesday night. Deceived by his pro-
fessions OF acquiescence, the two guar
dians retired to rest, one Of them Mr.
Willard) occupying the same berth with
Mr.. Bartlett At about o'clock in the
morning, Mr.. Bartlett arose from his
berth and retired to one end of the car,
but, his absence being discovered, he
returned again to his couch. Shortly
afterward he madea renewed attempt to
gel out of bed, but was detected and in
duced to desist In few moments more
when his bed fellow had dropped into q
momentary slumber, he appears to have
sprung lightly from his berth, and to
have gone to the door of the car His
absence was discovered in an instant, by
his guardian, who nj once sprang to the
floor and rushed out upon the platform.
Just as he was opening the door he met
the colored janitor, who informed him
that Mr.. Bartlett had gone out on the
pIatform in his sfoaLipr foot apI iurp,,al
from the train. The train was running
at the rate of thirty miles an hour at
the time, and it was very difficult for 8
person to maintain a footing outside the
car The scene of the occurr ence was
about five miles this side Of Lincoln,
which place the train reached in few
moments. Here Mr.. Willard and Mr.
Huntington got off from the train, and,
as soon as it was daylight, proceeded on
foot up the track for distance of twelve
miles. but without finding q single trace
of the insane man. Every nook, Granny
and culvert on either side was searched.
but nothing was seen to indicate that
Mr.. Bartlett was in the region, nor was
there any thing to show where be had
landed when lie made the fearful LEAP
The embankment for the whole distance
was of a soft, grassy or sandy nature
and, Incredible as it may seem, it is be
lieved that he has sustained no injury
but is lurking somewhere in the vicinity
This happened on Thursday morning
and though the search has been con
! tinued under the superintendent of the
! lunatic's brother, Mr.. William Bartlett
and several other persons, ever since the
! occurrence, nothing has yet been dis
| covered of the insane man. Mr.. Bart
lett has an insurance of SOL 900 on his
life, which makes the question of hi:
safety matter of great pecuniary inter
est to the life insurance companies.
The silly story OF q conclave of Unior