The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-07-01
A LEAP FOR LIBERTY.
Agility on One Side, and Persist
ency ON the Other.
Ursin, the Escaped Convict.

Nearly one year since, anegro named Ursin
was convicted before the Superior Criminal
court of stealing horse from Mr.. Gamma
gere, living on Dauphine street. He was sent
to the Penitentiary, from which he recently
escaped.
Last Friday this fact was authoritatively
conveyed to police headquarters, with the
additional information that Ursin was now
in this city, and was living on Basin, be-
tween Toulouse and ST. Louis streets. Ser
geant Bergeron and Officer Vallian, under Or
ders, Tuesday evening, made descent upon
the premises and succeeded in capturing
their man. He was conveyed to the Fourth
Precinct Station and safely incarcerated.
The facts attending Ursin's arrest are of
that nature which cannot fail in interesting
the reader. for they betrayed on the part Of
the convict that inherent craving for liberty
which is part of mans nature, and to attain
which even the meanest and most depraved
of Gods creatures would dare all; while on
the other hand the persistency which was
marked in every step taken by the officers in
Dictated their determination to do their duty,
and return to the clutches of stern Justice the
prey which had escaped its iron folds.
Upon several occasions previous to the
successful one the officers had attempted
Ursin's arrest by making descent upon the
house, but their bird had flown. sharp
lookout, however, was kept, and the house
wherein lived Ursin's wife, was "spotted."
This house, situated on the river side of Ba-
sin street, is small and of brick. 1t is very
compact and runs close up to q high brick
wall which completely shuts out the yards Of
the houses facing Rampant street. Ursin
upon the evening Of his capture was in the
second story of the above mentioned build
ing, and although taken somewhat by sur
prise at sight Of officers, he betrayed no
alarm, but quickly descending to his small
yard, he with cat-like agility assembled a pole
and mounted on cistern.
A ladder had been previously placed
against the wall, and in reach from his pres
ent vantage ground, to meet such an emer-
gency as the one now upon him. Through
this agency he gained the top OF the wall,
which was many feet from the ground. His
only chance was now to reach the cistern,
which, though lower than his present posi-
ton, was twenty-five feet of. He had no
alternative; the officers had spied his retreat
ing form, and liberty was dear. Gathering to
his command all the strength of finely de-
veloped physique, he made the leap and was
successful.
Springing upon an adjacent gallery, he
disappeared. The officers followed in quick
pursuit. A search was made in the house on
Rampant street. In the second story of the
building, which was unoccupied,. the officers
halted for consultation. The search had
proven fruitless. No traces of their man.
Almost on the point of giving up, the officers
prepared to leave the room, when Vallian re-
marked the singular bullying up of mattress
on bed in the corner OF the room. Investi-
cation revealed Ursin, who had snugly coiled
himself up beneath. He was mildly per-
suaded, at the sight of pistol, to surrender,
and, in recompense for their persistent chase.
the officers had the pleasure of seeing him
safely locked up in the police station.