Bridgeton pioneer., 1888-07-05
A STRANGE CASE.
Randolph Found Alive and
Sent to the Asylum.

Strange as it may appear after read
ing the newspaper reports of the sui
eide OF Richard Randolph on Satur-
day, he was found alive on Sunday,
and taken to the State Insane Asylum
on Monday morning.
All day Saturday, efforts We're made
to find the body by dragging with nets
and irons, but of course they were un-
successful. There We're many that be
lieved that he had not drowned him
self, out had gone away, but with
those who had carefully accumulated
the evidence, there seemed but little
doubt that the tides of the Cohansey
were carrying the dead body to and fro
in the waters. The two bridges were
crowded all day with people, who con-
stantly peered into the dark waters,
hoping to set glimpse OF the body.
Early in the morning telegram was
Mead was on hand, and went to the
office Of Squire Woodruff to meet his
men. He stepped upon the step, and
judge of his surprise to see Richard
Randolph alive sitting in a chair with
his back to the door He saw that the
front door was locked with a paddock
upon the outside, and knew that the
man could not have gone in the Office
that way. Peering through the win
dow he saw Il side door, which leads
from the hallway on the East side OF
the room, and against it were piled
chairs and tables.
As yet Richard had not seen Mr..
Mead, and he sat in the chair, with
paper cutter in his hand picking at his
left arm near the elbow joint, with the
evident intention of severing an ar
terry. Mr.. Mead called to Richard to
let him enter, but Randolph hastily
pulled his sleeve down, but refused to
allow Frank admittance. The latter
then went to the side door and push
L ing against it, tumbled over the tables
|and chairs, and entered the room.
Randolph paid no attention to him
and refused to talk, and Mr.. Mead
sent a passerby after an officer, and in
a few minutes officer Garrison entered
! she little office. He took the knife
from Randolph and told him to ac-
company him. The insane man was
dressed with a dark shirt, a pair of
very ragged pantaloons and an old
pair of shoes. His hat was missing and
search below did not reveal it. Mr..
Mead went up stairs and found the
lodge room unlocked, but did not find
the hat.
Randolph looked round the office,
and then started up stairs and the
officer followed. He entered the lodge
room, looked around, and then opened
a closet door in the northwest of the
building. Kicking over a box, Ran
dolph found his hat under it.
The officer then had Randolph pull on
pair OF old linen pantaloons over the
others and took him to the lookup, and
DR.. I. G. Smith and Judge Charles q.
Hampton were sent for. The Judge
made out papers to send Randolph to
the asylum, while the physician a couple
OF officers and a PIONEER reporter
went out in the lookup where Richard
was eating nice breakfast prepared
oy s. M. Ogden, at the direction of
Mr.. John Randolph.
Richard acted very strangely. He
talked only when questioned, and then
very low and hesitatingly. He did not
know Dr. Smith, who lives very near
the.office where Randolph has made his
home, nor did ne know Squire Wood
ruff, when that gentleman stood be-
fore him.
He asked DR.. Smith ii he knew
Squire Woodruff, and said further
that he lost some money but did not
know hardly where it was. Say" he
suddenly broke out, there was big
light last night, wasn't there? l heard
guns and artillery firing heavy" His
mind was then dwelling on the war
Randolph also said he had been up to
the Soldiers Home, but did not know
whether he liked it or not.
The PIONEER reporter said to him,
Dick, where was you yesterday, when
was over to the office"
"Oh, l don't know hardly he re-
piled. Il guess l was under the bridge
part OF the time
Thus he talked broken and dis
connectedly, and DIR. Smith said that
his condition was such that at any
time he might become violent and do
harm to himself or those that might
be near him.
In the afternoon Randolph became
more rational and seemed to talk in
telligently with those about him.
Officer Campbell questioned him in
regard to the trouble of Friday night.
Randolph replied that he could remem-
Der, as if it had been dream, the fact
Aan% H.