Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-05-11
ATTEMPTED MURDER AT THE
INSANE HOSPITAL!
An Attendant Assaulted by Three In.
sane Patients, Beaten About the Head
and Thrown to the Floor.
ESCAPE OF THE INMATES "A DEEP
LAID PLAN.

A deep laid and well concerted attempt to Kill
an attendant and escape from the institution was
made at the Insane Hospital on Tuesday evening.
1t is often claimed that insane people cannot act
togethtr-that their minds are so affected that
there is an utter impossbiity Of harmonizing on
any subject. But the affair on Tuesday evening
rather disproves this theory far as it goes, and
assumes every appearance Of being "put upj job"
John Edmunds, an attendant, at about seven
o'clock was at his post in the upper third male
ward. Suddenly one of the inmates, Erastus Car
yer of Lincolnville, came towards him. and threw
something into his eyes, which proved to be pep
per, which Carver had been saving up for the pur-
pose from the dinner or supper table. This blind
cd Edmunds, and during his bewilderment he
was assaulted by another patient, George Lake of
Bucksport. Lake was armed with slung shot
made by putting billiard ball into the foot of
stocking, using the leg as q handle. lie crept
steathily up behind Edmunds and struck him a
heavy blow on the back part Of the head, which
stunned the attendant and felled him to the floor.
But Edmunds is powerful man and soon recover
ed himself and grappled with his asailants. These
two men were soon joined by another of the con-
fercs, Charles II. Page of Sidney, the young man
who was arraigned for the larceny of watch from
Mrs. Thayer of Sidney, and on the plea Of insan-
ty was committed on the 25th ult, to the hospital
by authority of the Supreme Judicial Court.
Edmunds had to fight single handed and alone.
The three patients had chosen the time when the
other attendants were at supper and were not like
ly to be reached by the alarm. They had also
with false key made of tin, in circular form,
locked into their rooms, two of the strongest pa
tcnts, who would have been likely to render Ed
munds some assistance.
While they were struggling, Edmunds received
q dozen more blows about the head with the
slung shot, and bled profusely. Finally the three
inmates ran into the large hall, down the back
stairs took out the window over the outside door
of the south wing, and dropped through that to the
ground. The alarm was at once given, and sew
eral started from the hospital in quest Of the es
capped lunstics. At about o'clock, Carver was
captured ar Eureka Hall block, and was coming
in the direction ofthe hospital. He says that VIII
he first got out he covered himself with straw to
conceal himself, while his companions started off in
the direction of the river and the woods. Lake
and Page have not yet been captured, though dill
gent search is being made. Lake is about 40 years
old; isa small, thin, spare man, beard, light COM
plexion, and light hair; had on light grey coat and
pants Page is small, rather thick set man, light
complexion, and about % years old.
Carver has been at the hospital several years, and
is very insane. Lakeis mildly insane, and is I'm
doubtedly the ringleader in this plot. 1t is Sc
riously doubted if Page is in any degree insane
and he undoubtedly rendered considerable asss-
lance in the conspiracy. Edmunds wa. badly in
jured about the head. but the skull was not frac-
tured and he will recover. We understand that
Page has gone to Sidney, but neither had been cap
tured at last accounts.