Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-05
APRstONER's ESCAPE AT SEA.
he Jumps Overheard and Swiins
Eleven Miles 20 shore.

a Galveston (TeX.) special says: The
arrest OF a daring fugitive was effected last
evening eigh. miles down Galveston
isar Il. Dick LacOuse is the prisoners
name. Be is wanted at Gloucester, Mass,
for jumping bls bond in n ease OF aggra-
waited assault. LacOuse has an interesting
history, is tbirty-two years Of age, trained
athlete, and l. one OF the best swimmers,
boxers. and pedestrians in tie coun-
hy. He came here ten mouths ago,
onened small restaurant, and was
recently Joined by Maud Edison, the
woman whose life he attempted in Gl0uces-
Ter, and for assaulting whom he gave bonds
in so, 100 to appear for trial. His bonds
men traced him to tins city month ago,
and NJ. j. IIealy, one Of Pinkerton's Off
GERS, was detailed 10 take Lacouse back TO
Gloucester. iIealey arrived the first week
| in May. quietly arrested his man, and took
| hun aboard the steamship Sun Marcos.
| Healv Lad been warned that L1cOuSe was
remarkable swimmer, so he irOned his man
ard chained him 10 his berth. After the
san Marcos put TO sea the kIud.hearted de-
tectiye unsllackled LacOuse, allowed him
60 walk about the ship, play cards
with passengers, none Of whom knew that
the man was a pri>oR,r. The San Marcos
stopped of Newport's News Nay Sth for
coal. HeaIy again shackled his prisoner but
that evening, as the steamship was rapidly
leaving the outer roads, where the sea was
very rough, HPaly unclaimed his companion,
who soon became enrrossed in game OF
cards. Hcaly going above 10 enjoy cigar.
Five minutes later one OF the passengers
Joined HCaly and informed him that the card
party had been broken up, as Lacouse bad
quit the cabin. Healey immediately re-
turned TO the cabin, searched every where,
but all 10 no purpose. Captain burrows
ordered the ships officers 10 search
the San Marcos from keel 10 masthead,
which they did, but the prisoner was not
found. They were IL miles from land
when this occurred. Every one supposed
that Lacouse had drowned himself in a
foolbardy attempt TO reach land. lIealy
proceeded TO New York, duly reported the
extraordinary escape, which caused a sem
satlon In police circles. The first know.
ledge the local officers had that LacOu'e
! bad survived his marvellous leap was last
evening, when his alleged wife, Maud
Edison, appeared in the Office Of Chief OF
| Police Jordan and swore out warrant,
alleging that Lacouse had again attempted
her life, and she was living in mortal dread
| of him. She diyulged his biding-pl
! down the island. 10 seems he had been
coming TO the city late at night visiting Il
| woman.
| Chief Jordan and four mounted officers
started down the island yesterday after.
noon. lacouse saw the cayalcade in the
distance. guessed they we're after him, and
down the island he few. The officers fol-
| lowed, their horses taxed TO the utmost TO
| oyertake the runner. The chase con-
tinued FIVE miles along the sea-shore. La
eoUse was finally captured under farm
house. He says II took him five hours to
swim eleven miles In the dark of New
ports News. The current was running
four knots an hour. II was the most
rerilous venture he ever undertook. He
saws he saw Healy aud the officers OF the
sap Marcos flashing their lights about the
decks, over the side Of the ship, looking
for Kim. He was laughing at them from
the dark water I'm the distance. After
reaching land and drying his clothes he
took train for the South and was back IN
Galveston ten days after bis escape. II 1,
believed he threatened 10 kill Maud Edison,
suspeeting her infdehty. He declares,
however, that be would not harm her.