Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1871-02-24
lcOmmunieatsd-l
Correction Relative to The
Capture OF George VergOn.

The statements which appeared in the
papers relative to the capture Of George
Vergon, were inaccurate in several par
ticulars, and l have deemed it proper
that l should state the facts.
On Tuesday morning, the 18th inst.
at half past three O'Clock, both nv
mother and sister, who occupy premises
within twenty feet of my own room,
were awakened from sleep by my
brother George. His exertions 70 en-
ter were violent and unusual, and my
sister presently opened the door
George entered with his coat and hat on
his arm, and exhibited great exeire-
ment. He went to the match safe and
took matches. when my mother re-
marked that they would be of no use
TO him, as he could not build a fire in
the woods. as there was snow on the
ground. He replied that he was not
going to make fire in the woods, and
then asked for something to eat, and
said that he must walk all night. The
food was set out to him and while he
was eating my sister came and aWoke
me, informing me OF his presence and
condition. Before succeeded in dres-
sing myself, which was doing in haste.
my mother rang the alarm bell, Ca lit
tie bell which is attached {. a wire
which runs from her room to the win
dow of my sleeping rOom.) In my par
TALLY dressed condition l ran TO moth
er's, fearing that George had made an
att6ck on her. When got there found
that he had left in great haste, and
mother fearing that he might fire
the barn alarmed me. / started Oui
into the night and searched foI
him about my premises, in the hops
that could secure him, but unfOrtu-
nately did not find him. / did not re-
tire during the nigh, but kept watch un-
til day light. In the morning IOund
his tracks in the snow. He had come
from the InfiI mary, and the length oi
his strides indicated that he had been
running. When he left my house he
went north, also hurriedly. The at
tempt to burn Mir. Seigfreid's barn was
no doubt made by him. When / came
to Delaware in the morning, / learned
for the first, the fact of the burning oil
the Infirmary barn. 1 did not pursue
George, as stated. Our worthy sheriff
however, followed him, and succeeded
in arresting him near Mr.. Burlett's.
I would here state that my brother
George lost his mind when he was
about nineteen years of age, and he is
now about A years of age. Soon after
his arrangement he was taken to the
Insane Asylum in the hope of secur-
ing cure. For two years the best ef-
forts were made to attain a return oil
reason, but without success, and be
was discharged from the Asylum as in
durable. He was brought home, and
such care as was possible for our fami-
ly to give him. was extended toward
him. About four years ago he became
vicious and unmanageable, and exhi bit
ed all those peculiar traits and methods
which characterize the dangerous luna-
tic. On one occasion, during my alb
sence, and when there was no man al
home except my father, whose year;
and infirmities made him almost help
less, George made an assault on my
wife of a most deadly character. For
tunately she escaped, in a crippled con.
ditioR from him, else he would Ger.
tainly have killed her. On other oeea.
sions he threatened the lives of mJ
children, and it was only in this dires
necessity that the authorities were
called on to take charge of him. HaC
he been harmless he would still have re
mained at home, but " could not jeop
ardize the lives of all with whom hi
came in contact He was sent by tn
authorities to the Infirmary, there be
ing no provision made for incurable lu
naties in the Asylum. This is plail
statement of his case.
FRED. P. VERGoN.