The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1878-02-26
A FATAL ACCIDENT.
An Tomato Of the Insane Asylum
Struggles With His Keeper and
Dies Prom the Effects Of the f.
element.

afternoon BY the rumor that . man had
been killed at the insane asylum, and dur
ing the greater part Of the day there were
stories, to the effect that an inmate Of the
asylum had been murdered BY one Of the
keepers. A Gasstse reporter started ima,e-
di.,ely for the asylum and made the follow
ing discoveries in regard TO the sad affair:
s. P. Mellon. employed for more than .
year ~ keeper, or attendant, at the insane
asylum, has charge Of the fourth floor, or
ward, containing about twenty nine patients
Monday afsernoon,at about o'clock, while
engaged in the clothes room. adjoining the
hall Of the patients, he WAS startled BY .
violent noise in the ante chamber. Mr..
Melton stepped out and recognized Charles
Priddy, q religious fanatic and an inmate
Of the Asylum for about four months, A. the
author Of the tumnlt. Melton approached
the man aud, a he says. in q kind voice
begged him to be silent. to which the patient
replied that he had fully o. many rights in
the est Adjustment ~ Melton and that, ~ ],
did no, please him to keep silent, he would
continue the noise to his hearts content.
Melton, hence, repeated his fsrmer re-
quest. telling him in q kind tone that he
must keep silent. Al this. Melton declares
the patient became violent, and ere yet the
attendant was fully aware Of his intention
Priddy delt him q stunning blow between
the eve, almost telling him to the floor
and bouncing upon him like . wildcat
twice after repeating the blow. Although
Priddy is the more muscular man, Melton
finally succes ded in clutching him arounc
tn. neck With his left arm and eiiectualIy
preventing him from INJECTING any injury
though il 10 thought Priddy would hav'
got the better Of his man in the end, no
considering the fact that number Of tn
inmates standing near showed no little din
position to take active part in the tussl
between the two men. At tins junction
George W. Clayton. supervisor Of the NAL
department, attracted BY the commotion
entered the room, and taking in the state q
Affairs at glance, tried to aid Melton. bu
Vas forc,bly prevented from interfering b.
several Of the patients, who had seised
cane each, ard babe him stand back. Tn
tussle between the tvo men meanvhil
continued, Melton clinging to th
madmsn With the ssony Of despair, and, q
the testimony Of Clayton reveals, chokin
him until he turned blue in the face. Clay
ton called out to Melton that be must h
70 Of the man, - be ~ choking him, IN
When Melton released his hold ,Priddy sanl
TO the Aoor, and after coping once or tvic'
expired.
Charles Pfiddy has bssa IN inmate
the asylum about four months and cam
from Polk county, where be owned farm
Hi insanity i supposed 70 have been pr
duced By religious fanssieisn, and be
said 70 have destroyed his property in Il
A delusios that oaly By this means the salv
:, ton Of his soul could b elected. He y,
!, at times, while IN inmate Of the asyluu
!, violent in language and ~ known Fl
quently 70 menace his attendAnts. b
vas about 81 yeas Of ase. tall and muse
4 lar in frame.
Il Melton i shout IS ysan old, and beam
], good record - attendant Of patients.
hes bsea aesiag in this capacity, q vario
. places. for eve, jean and although Of,
coopelled - sssuegis With The more v
= lent Of thoss placed in his charge. be !
never had asy serious results tramp
until he peepeae occasion.