The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-10-24
TWO LUNATICS ESCAPE.
They Were Enjoying Themselves
in the Club Room.
BOTH JUMPED FROM A WINDOW.
The Attendants Rushed After Them, But
They Escaped Among the Trees and
Have Not Been Captured d-Thurber's
Mother Asked for Police Protection.

The attendants and nurses at the But
Ter Hospital for the Insane were thrown
into state OF the utmost confusion last
light by the escaping of two of the in
mates. A vigorous search was at once
instituted throughout the grounds, but
without success, the men having applr-
emily made their way Immediately 10 Il
place of safety and concealment.
At about s O'clock last evening there
were assembled in the Sawyer ward,
which by the way is fitted up as club
room, "A number or the more favored in
mates, who by good behavior and rapid
re urn TO sanity are allowed greater free.
dom than their unfortunate fellows. The
party were enjoying the different amuse-
ments OF the place and every one emed
quiet and peaceful. Some Oh tne attend
an,s were in the room, but no suspicious
were entertained that a desperate dash
for liberty was to be made by two OF the
quetest OF the Inmates.
suddenly, during II piano solo, Edward
Thurber, who WAS standing IN front OF
one of the large windows overlooking the
spacious lawn i'll front of the building.
reacned quickly down, ana before aly
one coul prevent raised the window.
The windows are provided with catcu
so arranged as to allow of tneir being
opened but few incues, but so great was
the strength used by Tnurber IN throw
lug the sash up that the catch snapped
off and the window shot TO the top or the
| opening.
Then he Immediately plunged through
| the window, alighting in heap on the
bank anj was off like a shot, AS he
leaped through the opening another OF
| the inmates, young man from Boston,
whose name Is suppressed for family rea-
| sons, followed closely after and disap-
| i,, 4 ha A rl.y and n
The attendants were not many minutes
| in getting out of tie window anG in a
short time were giving n close chase to
| the fugitives. Both the men were good
runners. and aided by the darkness and
| the dense growth of brush aud forest
about the hospital succeeded in making
| their escape.
Mrs. Thurber mother of one Of the
men, was at once notified of the escape
| and appealed to he police for protection.
| A detail of officers was sent To look afte
the welfare OF the woman, but nothing
was seen of the man in that vicinity. The
watchman at tue power house Of the
Cable road saw Thurbsr soon after mid
night, but could not capture him, al
though he NJ oncs gave chasp. tip to
| o'clock the men had not been captured,
although strict watch is being kept Oh
all the roads going from the city.
Thurber was about 26 years OF age ant
| has Dttu III COnuuemcnJ AT tue uospltd
since December last. lie has almost re
covered, aud the possibility of discharg
ing him soon was being considered at TIT
hospital. His companion, the younl
man from Boston. WAS also on the hlgl
road to recovery and was to be sent Yves
where he was to connect himself will
a cattle ranch. Thurber was contemplate
ing long ocean voyage
The superintendent of the hospital
when seen this morning, stated this wa
the first time he had heard Of two men
tally unbalanced people planning to es
cape together. He stated further tha
each of the two was of good address, an'
said that to IA stranger they would appeal
as though sane.
a close search is still being kept up ii
the grounds. The men at the time q
their escape were dressed in plain nous
clothes aud wore neither hats nor coats,
At first IL was supposed That the mer
would make an attempt 70 go TO Boston
or New York, and Immediately after tn
escape TIE superintendent drove 10 tb
Union Passenger station aud notified TN
railroad officials. a strict lookout wa
kept on the 1:2J o'clocN train this morl
ing but the pair did not leave from tn
city.
At 2 o'clock this afternoon no trace {
them had been found and IT. is though
that they may have succeeded IN oscar
ing from this vicinity.