Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-06-20
NOT MUCH OF A MANIAC.

an Alabama Planter Sn the ZOfs of a
I MadmRn-Hss Escape ON a Railway
Train-The Deep Laid Schemes of a.
Crafty Overseer and a Destined
Bride Frustrated-The Old Man Tri.
umphanI
There is wealthy old gentleman resid-
ing on large plantation near Decatur,
Alabama, the father of lovely daughter
just upon the threshold of blooming woman
hood, and short time since, this old planter
had in his employ an overseer in whom he
placed the utmost confidence, but who, az a
suitor for the hand of the peerless young
lady, he could not once think of recogniz-
ing. Not at all discouraged, the overseer
pressed his suit with patience and perse-
verence and at last obtained the consent of
the daughter to a union for life. The
acquiescence of the father was asked, but
he sternly and obstinately refused to listen
to any such proposition, probably with an
eye to what he considered a better match
for his child.
The young people were determined, how
ever, and lost no time in planning and car
rying into effect their schemes, and in
some way the overseer managed to get hold
of large amount of the old mans money.
With this secured, he at once
circulated story that the old
gentleman had gone stark mad. and
that careful treatment in an insane asylum
would be the only remedy for him. So
skillfully was the whole thing managed,
that upon the testimony of bribed physi,
clan, the old planter was placed in the
hands of a guard, who was instructed to
accompany his charge to the insane asy-
lum at Nashville.
All seemed working we'll. The guard
and the old gentleman took the Nashville
and Decatur railroad for this city. and
only few short hours Law between them
and their destination. Before the train |
reached this point, however, the prisoner,
seeing that his protestations of sanity fell |
unheeded upon the ears of all, resolved to |
attempt an escape, and at a moment when |
the guard had relaxed the strict vigilance |
which had been previously kept up, he |
jumped from the car and was soon out of |
sight
The guard, a shreWd fellow, determined |
TO recapture the old gentleman, and carry |
ont the instructions given him. la order
to do this, he kept himself upon the trains
as much as possible, and at Brentwood
day or two since, was rewarded by seeing
the old man in the act of getting |
upon the southwark bound train. He /
forthwith made for the escaped prisoner
and was about to prevent the old gentIemans
getting upon the cars, when the latter cooIly
drew a pistol and warned the relentless
pursuer that if he did not keep his hands
of he would be dead man In most in
conoelyably short space Of time. The con-
ductor stopped the train and the wranglers
got aboard, the old gentleman, however,
enlisting the sympathies of number OF
persons whom he convinced that the story
in regard to his insanity was a fabrication,
and the would-be captor was compelled 10
inglonously snbside. The old man declared |
that if he could be allowed to return home
and secure his money be would willingly
give up his daughter TO the oyerseer.
At every station, the former gnard tried
every means in his power 10 secure the ar
rest Of the old man, declaring him to be
confirmed maniac, but failed at all points. |
He then telegraphed to Columbia, request
ing the assistance of two policemen, but be-
fore arriving at that place the friends Of
the maniac had him safely slowed an
der the big pile Of wood in the tender, and
the discounted guard was assured that the
old gentleman had inmped from the train
and ran back toward Brentwood. On
hearing this the guard at once got of and
turned back TO Brentwood, while the cid
planter erawled from isis hiding place and
rode safely through 10 Decatur, having
achieved complete triumph over his
enemies, and escaped the dreaded asylum
forever /