The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1874-11-26
Freaks and Arrest of Maniac.

A day or two ago man of the name
of Dana arrived at the house of Mr.. Rice,
at Rice Mills, situated one and half
miles from Usage. He claimed to be
relative of Mr.. Rice, and doubtless was,
as Mr.. Rice found sufficient reason for
taking him into his house. Dana stated
that he had been imprisoned in Colorado
and had escaped, for what cause he did
not state. He took promptly to work in
and about the mill, and for "a week made
himself useful, but every day or two
gave evidences of arrangement. He car
ried three Bibles in his pockets, and
talked much upon religion.
After the lapse of something over
week he asked Rice for fifty dollars with
which to dcfray the expenses of Il trip to
Colorado. The amount was given him,
but he did not 60, and where the money
ward Dana asked for thirty dollars more,
which was refused. Instantly he drew IA
revolver with one hand and bowie
knife with the other. Striking threat
ening attitude, he said to Mr. Rice: IL
am Jesus Christ. am completing His
mission on earth. Obey and live; refuse
and die"
Rice quietly engaged him in convcrsa-
tion and edged himself nervously away.
lie sent to town and got Sheriff
Pipcr-by the way competent and
most skillful oficcr-to come to his
aid. Dana still hung around the
mill. The Sheriff took trusty man
with him and put small sack OF grain
in his buggy, by which Dana was de-
ceived into believing him an ordinary
patron of the mill. AS he ncarcd Dana,
and on the instant when he passed him,
he dropped his sack and grasped the
maniac from behind. Then began DIES
perate struggle, but the poor fellow was
soon overcome, and manacles were
locked upon his wrists. Dana again de-
clared he was Jesus Christ, and that had
he suspected the purpose of the officer
he would have hurriedly sent him to the
regions down below.
The maniac was placed in the buggy,
and the three started for town. Soon he
was seized with Il hot paroXysm, and
struggled violently to get out. Failing
in this, he tried to wrench the sllacklcs
from his arms, in which he was also
baffled. He then seized one of his little
fingers with the other hand, and sudden
ly broke it over back, the bones snap
ping like pipe-stem. Again he grasped
his thumb in his teeth, and fastening
them like wise upon it wrenchcd
it out, breaking off several of
his teeth, but just before this he seized
the back of his hand with his teeth, tear
up the flesh and tcndons in bleeding
shreds. He then thrust his feet ard legs
| into the whiring wheels of the buggy,
but luckily no harm came of this. Man
acles were then put upon his ankles,
when he quietly submitted to fate. On
arriving at DR.. Chase's Office the Sheriff
alighted, but when Dana was being
helped out he suddenly leaped upon one
of the horses, seized the rcins, and with
desperate emphasis urged the horses to
run. The Sheriff ran to the horses
heads, and with his knife cut the rcins,
SO the raving maniac was again over
come. He then yielded, the tierccness
of his paroxysm having expended itself:
An examination was made by DR..
Chase and the proper officers, and poor
Dana was ordered to the Asylum for the
Insane at independence. The ingenuity
! and prodigious strength of the poor fell
low were the wonder of all who saw him
in his raving moods.-Dubpue lloeea)
Times,