The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-09-09
FATAL LEAP FOR LIBERTY.
A YOUNG Man JUMPS FROM THIRD STORY
WINDOW To AVOID ARREST.

NEW YORK. Sept. 2.-WilIiam Crever,
paroled prisoner from the Elmira Re-
formatory, sprang from window IN the
Office of the Prison Association In the
third story OF the Bible House, to avoid
arrest for breaking his parole, and met
with almost instant death. Creyer was
the son of German parents, was 20 years
old, and had been sent to the reforma-
tory in February, 1877, having been
convicted Of grand larceny. The pfac-
tice is to parole the prisoners at the end
of a year if their behavior has been good.
For six months after having been set free
they are kept under surveillance, and are
required to report monthly to the local
agent Of the reformatory. If the conduct
of the prisoner has not been quite salts
| factory within the half year, 1t Is within
the discretion of the agent to give him
further time before recommending his
| return to prison. Crever was not paroled
| until March, 1880, three years dicipline
instead Of one having been considered
necessary. March 3 he appeared at the
Office of Stephan Cutter, agent of the
State Reformatory and general agent Of
the Prison Association, bearing letter
from Superintendent Broekway, request
ing that arrangements be made to send
him to sea. Crever was shipped for
/ Queenstown. In June he returned, and
expressed his determination not to so to
sea again. Since then he drifted from
one thing to another, being idle most of
the time, and Mr.. Dunn reported that he
feared he was under the influence Of bad
| comp anions. Cutter advised Superin-
| tendent Brockway of this, and IN return
| received an order to cause Crever's arrest
and detention until he could be sent back
to the reformatory. Crever happened to
call at Cutters Office, asking for assist
auce Just as the letter was received and
was requested to return on the following
day. The appointment was for this at
ternoon at 3 o'clock. The Office of the
State Prison Association is room No. &c,
in the Bible House. Its windows look
out upon Cooper Institute. When Gre
yer called Detective Robinson was in the
Office waiting for him. Some visitors
were going away when Gutter beckoned
the officers to the door where Crever had
remained standing.
''This man is an officer" Cutter said,
"and, the detective added, as he pulled
out pair of hand cuffs, 81 will have to
arrest you"
| The young man looked up with quick
glance Of terror at both men. ''What dc
you want me for" he said, hurriedly; 81
have work now" Then with quick
movement, as the officer laid his hand on
| his arm, he dashed past him toward an
open window, and went out like shot,
without ever touching it.
Said the officer, in relating what fol-
loved: 'He sprang at the window al
most like an acrobat, head foremost, as
ii diving into water Not cry or word
escaped him, and no sound ever passed
his lips after his fall, save a groan or two
as he lay upon the pavement. He fell
on the basement steps outside the build
ing, although it seemed to me that he
| sprang with strength enough to bring
him clear of the sidewalk. His neck was
broken, and he died in 20 minutes
People who We're passing in the street
carried Crever into drug store, but
nothing could be DONE"
His mother, Mrs. Crever, hard work
ing German widow, last night was found
with her remaining children. AS the
reporter entered the mother arose trem
| bling. When inquiry was made of her
son she did not know of his fate, but
when made to understand that he WAS
dead, with fervid clasping of the hands
she said: "Ther let the good Lord be
thanked for his mercy that He has taken
my boy at last from the way of mischief.
Oh, this will do me good" Then the
woman's tears fell fast.