Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-10-03
4 TTACKED BY A CONVICT.
Keeper Casey's Very Narrow Esespe-A Mar
dsrons Assault In q Penitentsary'

Keeu.r Ca,ey's Very Narrow Esespe-A Mar
d,rons Assault In a Penitsntiary.
philadelphia Times.l
Michael Casey. q keeper in the Eastern
nenItentiary. was attacked and terribly
rut In the head on Friday with an axe In
the hands Of long-tern convict named
Patrick Divers. The attack would GER
taIniy have resulted In the death OF Keeper
Casey had not Keeper Farley come 10 MS
rescue. Farley received DION from the
e.hsndle in the face which knocked on
five of his front teeth, but succeeded IN
Wrestling the axe from the convicts grasp
AZ he stood over Casey's body, about 10
deal him another blow. The would-be
murderer was secured and placed in
dark cell.
The insensible keeper was carried into
the prison Office, and Surgeon Robinson, OF
Twenty-iirst aud Mount Vernon streets,
was summoned. lie made careful exam
inalion Of the wounded mans head, and
found that, although the scalp was cut
through. the glancing nature OF the blow
had prevented fracture. Had the blow
fallen two inches lower the jugular vein
would have been severed, or had the as'1i-
ant been nearer to his victim the axes edge
would have penetrated the brain. Keeper
FARLEY pronounced Casey,s escape mirac-
uIous one. The energies of the entire
Eastern pecltentiary staff have been directed
to keeping the secret, but when 1t became
desirable 10 send the injured man % bis
home the mystery could not he hidden. His
neigbbors communicated with the 1imsS,
and a reporter visited the home OF the
wounded keeper last evening.
THE KEEPERS STORY.
Keeper Casey lives on the east side OF
sixth street. below Federal. His wound IL
healing. and his MUSICIAN says he can re-
sumo his labOrs in few weeks. He ap'
peared annoyed that the fact OF his assault
should have become known. He stated
that on Friday last he was passing through
the ward, near tue cOOk-house, when he
saw No. 9,7S1, Patrick Divers. approaching
with an axe. The convict had not been
choppiug wood, and Casey called ont TO
him. sharply:
"what are you doing with an axe'
Drop It ct once."
The convict did not drop the axe, how
ever, but continued TO advance. His atti.
tude was not menacinR one. and Casey
did not expect an attack. He seem. TO
have believed that Divers would hand him
the weapon. When the prisoner arrived
within reach. however, he raised the axe,
and, with n balf-srm blow. struck Casey on
the side Of the head. Just back OF the ear.
The blow was CHANGING one. but 1t felled
the keeper 10 the ground. Divers, Wild
with rage. was just in the act OF striking
second blow when Keeper Farley sprang
upon him. Casey was so surprised that be
had no time 10 think or 10 save himself.
OTHER ATTACKS ALLEGED.
II is asserted by people in the vicinity OF
Cherry Hill that there have been two other
attacks made upon officers in the prison
since the murder several months ago, but
that the warden and his keepers have been
able to prevent any disclosures. Warden
Cassidy denied tba; such is the case, and
DR.. Robinson when seen yesterday said
he had not heard Of any such assaults.
Patrick Divers. 9,IS1, who committed
the assault, is aged twenty-four. lie was
convicted in 1879 in Lackawanna county
for "malicious injury" and received ten
years sentence. His mind is said 10 have
become affected, and when secured on Fri
day he asked all sorts Of foolish questions
of the keepers and the physicians.