Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-10-28
A NARROW ESCAPE.
A Crazy Medicine Tsnder Goes for
Young Lad.

The Hartford Post Of October l4th
says: Among the dealers in patent
medicines, etc, who have made the
State House Square a scene Of attrac-
ton for few evenings past, was enc
named George 4. Moore, q tall, we'll
formed man, OF fluent speech and de-
cent appearaBce. According to his own
story, be was man Of much adventure,
and has had q hari life. He enlisted in
the army three times, deserted twice,
spent two aud one half years on the Dry
lOrtugas, and has since wandered over
the Sierra Nevadas, with occasional
trips East and West. He had been a
hard drinker, but while here signed the
temperance pledge, and, so far as
known, kept it. During his stay in
Hartford he displayed no signs OF insan-
ity, but after leaving here his strange,
even frightful actions indicate an un-
sound mind.
He left here Tuesday and went TO
Springfield, taking letters OF recon-
meudatiOn from parties in this citv.
Nothing strange happened until FRIDAY.
when a lad named Harry J. Piper, 81
teen years old, had a singular and terri
flying adventure. According to the
Springfield Union, he started about two
o'clock on a hunting excursion, accom-
panied by a friend namcd Henry An
derson. While they were rambling in
the woods they were approached by a
man who turned out 10 be M0Ore) who
asked for a string. The Anderson boy
produced one, bat the man said it wa
not as strong a cord as be desired, and
suddenly seized the Piper boy by the
neck, and hurried him into the woods.
ordering young Anderson TO follow.
The latter, however, took 10 his heels
aud reported to Mrs. Piper that Henry
aud himself had been chased by a man.
but said nothing about the capture OF
his companion. The man, who was
very dark-shinned, and bad an ugly cres-
cent-shaped scar on one cheek, and car
ried a large open clasp knife IN one hand,
announced 10 his prisoner that he must
die, and drew ne knife lightly across his
throat though only Just cutting the skin.
The boy, who showed wonderful pluck
and presence Of mind, Offered no resist
ance and the man then laid him fiat on
his back upon the ground, and with hi.
knife at his throat searched all his pock-
ets, replacing their contents, however,
with the exception Of five-cent nickel,
which he retained. He then told the
lad that he had spells when he would
like 10 murder some one, and that feel
ing was creeping over him then. The
brave boy kept up the conversation, and
peaceably submitted 10 the will Of his
capIOr, who counted his teeth, and then
ordered him TO rise. Taxing out his
handkerchief, the lunatic tied one end
Of it around the thumb Of his prisoner.
and for an hour and half led him
around the woods. At last he said.
Boy, take me where you can see your
house, aud when We get within sight OF
ID you must die. The boy did as he wa
ordered, and on the way managed to
partially slip the handkerchief from his
ilumb, but the action was discovered
and the handkerchief more securely tied
aaid the widest threats. Gradually
ne two neared the dwelling Of younQ
piper. Meanwhile the Anderson boy
had not been idle, for he had secured !
marty OF boys about his own age, WHO
had armed themselves with heavy clubs
and started to the rescue. The crazy
man saw them coming at lively run
aud, exciaiming, Those fellows are aftel
men released Piper and dashed into the
woods. The Piper boy could barely wall
home 50 sudden was the reyulsi0n o
feeling at his escape, and 1t Is doubtful
If many lads Of his years could hav,
borne 80 stout q heart, through such {
trying ordeal. Doubtless had he made
the slightest resistance, the lunatls
would have slain him without mercy
The foregoing facts were made