The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-06-14
A FIGHT WITH A LUNATIC
DEPUTY SHERIFF WEsTCOrT5 I'm
COUNTER WITH A MADMAN.

OOGNIGn w IL u n III AA(Ah&4h
a Crazy Negroes Murderous Attack
Upon the Of1cer-Twice Stabbed the
Officer Makes a Brave Effort to Hold
His Prisoner-A Pair of Handouts
Saves His Life-The Negro Finally
Escapes in the Sw amp West OF the
City.
Deputy Sheriff Westcott had a close call
from death at the hands OF a negro lunatic
named Perry yesterday afternoon. A des-
perate fight occurred with the man and
Mr.. Westcott came out Of the battle with
several cuts upon his person and his coat
almost ripped to pieces
Perry lives at the Smile bend OF the Au-
gusta road, the most noted place for TRACE
dies around Savannah. For several months
Perry has been showing evidences OF an un-
sound mind, and had the colored people In
she neighborhood of the bend frightened by
his threats OF murder and arson, He was
arrested a few weeks ago on q charge of
Iunacy, but in his trial In the court Of ordi-
nary recently the jury gave him his liberty,
not considering MIN sufficiently insane TO be
confined IN the asylum.
Perry went back to his home, and re-
manned quiet until a few days ago, when
the old mania returned In more aggra-
waited form. He helped himself 10 anything
that happened TO suit his fancy, and
threatened TO kill any one who might in
terfere with him. A second warrant was
sworn out for his arrest yesterday. and
Sheriff Roman was told that all that was
necessary to be done TO secure the lunatic
was to send an officer out and tell him that
he was wanted in the city.
Deputy Sheriff Westoott was deputiZed
for the work, and taking a pair OF hand
cuffs he secured a horse and buggy and
drove out TO the bend. The deputy sheriff
found Perry at the grocery store Of the SETS
Element and asked him il he wouldn't like to
take ride into the city a, that friend wanted
TO see him.
THE LuNArIC SHOWS FIGHT.
The lunatic grluned for moment or two,
and then suddenly assuming a serious alp
replied In a perfectly sane manner: mo;
you can't arrest me,n Deputy Sheriff West
colt walked over to Perry aud tried to coax
him to agree to take a ride, attending TO
slap the handouts upon him as soon
as he could get him OH his
be coaxed. He said he didn't want TO go
anywhere and wouldn't go. The deputy
sheriff placed his hand upon Perry's
shoulder and said: But / want you to
come with me-"
Jumping backward Perry yelled; "If
you take me you'll have 10 kill me- won't
be arrested" Before Deputy Sheriff West~
oott could realize what was to happen Perry
pulled big knife from his pocket and made
alunge at his throat The officer threw up bis
right hand to save himself and the blade OF
the weapon sunk deep into the back of ID.
As the blood spurted from the wound the
sight seemed to madden the lunAtic and be
became furious
He rushed upon Deputy Sheriff Westoott
and cut at him right and left. The officer
lodged to save himself and called upon a
white and colored man who were present to
assist him to disarm Perry. They were 50
badly frightened that they couldn't raise
their hands and ran off. The knife grazed
the officers right nostril cutting II slightly,
and split his coat from the shoulder to the
lapel. He finally managed to grapple Perry
and together they struggled out Of the store
into the road. Here the lunatic managed to
break Deputy Sheriff Westcott's hold and
renewed bis attack with the knife.
SAVED BY THE HANDoUFFs.
This time Perry tried to drive the blade
into the officers side, but luckily the pair
OF handouts IN bis pocket warded off each
of the blows. He managed to get second
hold on the lunatic and got him as far as
the railroad track, when he lost the strength
had inflicted, aud the negro got loose again.
The third time he renewed the attack upon
the officer and the latter in his efforts TO
keep the lunatio off stepped into the COW
trap Of the railroad track and fell Before he
could regain his feet Perry was upon him
aad made stab for his back. The point of
the blade came In contact with the thick
leather portion Of the officers suspenders
and glanced of through his shirt, only
slightly grazing the skin. The suspenders
were the only thing which saved his life.
Westcott managed, by a back-hand
blow, TO hit Perry under the chin and
knocked him down. He got upon the lunatlc
and tried to wrest the knife from him.
but the negro had death grip
upon the weapon. A big crowd had
gathered TO see the fight and the deputy
sheriff asked some of the men 10 come for
ward and put the handouts on Perry's
wrist while he held him but no one would
lend hand because the lunatic said he
would kill any one who assisted In his err
rest.
THE FINAL GRAPPLB.
The officer held the lunatic down as long
as he could, having finally TO burn him loose
because he couldns make the fight any
longer with one hand. When be
let Perry up the negro ran back TO
a picket fence and pulling paling
of started toward the officer. The latter
decided to try bluff on the mnaIic.
Throwing his hand to his hip pocket he
said: II have stood enough. IL you come
a step nearer rll kill you" He didn't
have his pistol with him, but thought he
would try the ruse. Anyhow, 1t had the
desired effect. Perry stopped, stood per-
fectly still for few minutes watching the
officer, and then dropping the stick, he
turned and ran into the swamp. He carried
his knife with him, and after the experience
be had gone through, the deputy sheriff
didn't care 30 follow the lunatio and possi-
bly, lose his life. He came into the city and
had his wounds dressed by DR.. Simmons
The one In his right hand is very painful
and will cause him considerable ineonveni-
ence. His left hand is skinned In several
places.
Perry is a powerful negro, weighing
about 100 pounds A posse will probably
be required 70 get him out Of the swamn.