Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-07-03
CRAwLs OUT or A WINDOW.
A Somewhat Peculiar Termination of the
Smithson shooting Anair.

The Pittsburg tough by the name Of
Johnston, alias Smithson. the victim of the
shooting affair on Monday, and who has
since been confined in the Wheeling Hos
pital, added another somewhat exciting
chapter to his escapades last night Al
though confined 10 the bed since his stay at
the institution he has gradually been impr0-
wing About 9OclOck last night be- expressed
a desire 10 be- taken 10 the water closet. and
he was accordingly taken there by one of
the attendants. He vas so weak that thu
attendant had 10 carry him almost bodily
most OF the way. Arriving at the closet
the door was again closed aud Smlthson
was left to himself, the attendant FOR few
moments going to another part of the hos
pital
Smiths0n remained inside so long with
out expressing any desire 10 come ont that
the attendants became concerned lest some
accident had bcfallen their patient They
were unable 10 open the door. AS tue in-
jurcd man had taken the prcclutiOn io lock
10 on the inside Procuring something to
stand on. one Of the attendants stood up
and looked over the transOm, when be-
hold, with all the mystery attending one oi
the presto changes Of kcllar or Her.
mann, the man was not 10 be seen. The
little compartment was as empty as the
prOVerbial cupboard of Mother Hubbard
and il was evident from a further iu-
ves;igation that the man had stood
not ON the order of his going,
but had gone, straight and unbiased
The shutters Of the window were wide
apart and the window was partially open
For Il long time 10 was puzzle how the
man in his feeble condition, could nave
crawled successfully from the window as
il is some little ways from the ground.
But il subsequently occurred to them That
the escape was effected by accomphccs.
and in all probability no less than iw"
strange Pitisburg fellows who called al
the Hospital during the day to see the man.
n is believed now that the arrangement Is
for the e. ..pc We're made al the time the
men callui although some are Inclined Q"
thinl, the Np. wife also had something
10 do with planning the escapade. me
man was probably lifted ont ~ The window
bv two or three men. and carried down to
the river bank. where d boat was in wait
ing. The boat then pulled ol from shore
and concealed the refugee.
Police Ofiiccr Drillcr whose beat is ih
that ncighbOrhOOd. was Immediately noii
fled. and I'm company with Oncer Desmond
instituted "A thorough search in that local.
ity. but as the man had had some hall an
hour leaving. their efforts We're unsuccess
ful 40 clue of his whereabouts could be-
obtained. The men probably rowcd up the
river and anchored IN quiet place. just
how the injured man is going 10 Withstand
the ordeal Of the cscapadc, IT is difficult to
imagine The attendants at the hospital
are somewhat surprised that the escape
could have been effected without making
sufficient noise 10 be- heard His motive
for escape is plainly seen in the
fact that be- was held here on two
one for gambling, and the other for
resisting an officer The idea Of those con
rerned in the escape is probably a. get the
Injured man back 10 his home ia Pittsburg,
ana this will probably be done as soon as
-hcv can see their way clear. one of thr
fellows who called at the hospital. and who
IS thought to be concerned in the cscapAde,
IS described as short and thick ~ ani
smooth-faccd. and wearing dark sut ol
clothes. while the other was tail. with
lark m0ustachc one of the member, "I
he force is of thc opinion that the fellow.
are not wholly unknown To The police court
)f Wheeling
Smithson's father arrived last rHenin.
alter his son had escaped. lie said h' ha'
heard his son had been fatally shot and h'
wanted fr .,ti him