The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-07-27
MICHAEL CONNOLLY CAPTURED.
He Reaches Camas Greek, Idaho, and Is
Recognized.

Our readers are somewhat familiar with
the name Of Michael Connolly who killed
Maginuis in Beaverhead county, for whom
strong plea was made on the ground of in
sanity; who was found guilty, sentenced to
imprisonment for life, escaped from Beaver
head Jail, was recaptured and placed in the
penisentiary; was adjudged insane and sent
to the asylum, from whence he escaped few
days after.
1t gives us great satisfaction to state that
be is now back in the penitentiary. r. W.
c'Wyse'1 Osborne was the man who captur-
ed him when he escaped from the Bannack
jail Osborne Is now agent at Camas, Idaho,
on the q. &. N. r. r. His surprise on see
ing Connolly come in there from the foot
hills last Saturday may be imagined, but 1t
didn't disconcert him. He quietly telegraph
ed Warden Botkin that Connolly was there,
and In few minutes had an answer that in
duced him to take pleasure trip to Warm
Springs, Montana on the north bound train
that evening. Connolly concluded to accom-
pany him. A friend of Mr.. Osborne also
came along, it being apprehended that Con-
nelly would be seized with a somnambulistic
fit and walk off the train in the night They
were met at the Springs by U nder Sheriff Nc
Tague, and by one o'clock Sunday Connolly
was in the Deer Lodge Jail, from which on
certificate of DR.. Mitchell he was on Mon
day remanded to the penitentlary. Mr.. o.
borne deserves much credit for his prompt
action In bouncing Connolly back over the
line before he could invoke the aid of legal
friends to habeas corpus him in Idaho. DIR.
Mitchell reimbursed him for actual expenses,
but 1t would be eminently proper for the next
Legislative Assembly to give him a sum at
least equal to the reward offered for other
convicts.
Connolly says he had a rough time. He
chartered through toward Red Rock, from
whence he crossed the Rocky Mountains
into Snake river valley and reached Camas
station. BE was lost and went without food
for several days. He says even the birds and
rabbits seemed to know he was convict and
avoided him. At the asylum he confessed
he had simulated insanity. He now claims
he was insane in prison, knew nothing of his
removal, and when he came to his reason
was told he had been in the asylum four days.
Physicians say that as a fact some persons
can simulate insanity SO well as TO deceive
experts. That Connolly was insane or de-
ceived his physician, the Warden, guards and
watchers by day and night for several weeks
there can be no doubt. There is this TO be
considered, that life prisoner has big
stake to play for and can endure much for
weeks to accomplish his purpose. The insane
asylum is not designed rs a prison and the
opportunities there for escape are greater. A
patient cannot be cured and kept in irons IN
a cell. Hence the efforts for his restoration
became his opportunities for escape.
1t is difficult without further legislation and
facilities to provide against the vils..arising.
When prisoner is manifestly and violent
ly insane, it is the duty of the Warden to as
test such fact to the Probate Judge for his
action. 1t is not humane, nor is 1t contem-
plated by law, to keep him in durance in 4
close cell and deprived of constant and skill
full treatment for his malady. Beside, one
crazy man can make the Penitentiary bed
lam, requiring constant attention and de-
priving all other inmates of their rest and
sleep by his incessant and Internal racket. If
the evidence is conclusive he must be sent to
the Asylum; and as insanity can be so sue
cessfully simulated the jury is in the delicate
position Of refusing an insane man the care
contemplated by law or granting an adroit
and determined rogue opportunities TO es-
cape his just punishment. Until the Peni-
tentiary can be provided with quarters for
the treatment of insane where thew will not
disturb Others, or the Territory provides n
secure ward for the retention Of convict pa
tients at the Asylum until their insanity is
demonstrated beyond any possibility of
doubt, the present difficulty can only be par
tally provided against.