The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-08-16
"A PLUNGER'S PLIGHT
ED. PARTRIDGE CONFINED IN AN
INEBRIATE ASYLUM.
The Famous speculator Now an En-
forced Inmate of the WashinstOn-
han Home at ChicaEo-He Makes a
Desperate Resistance.


forced Inmate of the WushinEton-
han Home at ChicnEo-He Makes
Desperate Resistance.
Chicago, Aug. Strapped down to
lbs bed. imprisoned by barred win
dows and locked doors, in barren
room on the fourth floor of the Wash
ingtonian home, "Plunger Ed Pard-
ridge, who Monday threw the board of
trade into turmoil by fighting with q
doorkeeper, is undergoing a most rig
Orous treatment for alcoholism. He
was taken to the home yesterday by
his son, who was assisted by several
be bundled to the home in a closed car
doctors only by main force.
He became violent when being
searched preparatory to protracted
stay, and it required four attendants
to carry him up stairs and install him
in one of the cell rooms which are re-
served for the worst patients.
Partridge is one of the most promi-
nent of the Chicago board of trade
operators. Accounted a multi-million-
aire, the proprietor of one Of the larg
est dry goods stores in the city and an
operator of remarkable nerve, he is u
unique figure on the floor of the board
For months he has been on the bear
side of th. wheat market and his Win
nings Oh Change for the last year are
said to reach into seven figures. Pard
ridge has freque nty, of late, worshipped
freely at the shrine of Bacchus and has
created several scenes on change. A
few days since heappeared on the floor
in an unsteady condition and threw
money broadcast about the pit, raising
such an uproar that he was suspended
for sixty days. Monday he attempted
to go Oh the floor, and after fierce
fight with a doorkeeper was finally
carried from the building. e..
At the Washingtonian home for in
ebriates Mr.. Partridge succeeded in
creating as much excitement among
the inmates as he did no Change. I'm
mediately upon his arrival he was
handcuffeG and placed in a box-like
apartment with three blank walls and
a grated window left for his gaze.
When the physicians and guards left
him, how ever, he put at naught their
efforts to tie his hands and feet. One
little article on his person had been
overlooked by the custodians in search
ing him-a large locket attached to
his watch chain When the guards
left him he managed to squirm around
so as to reach and unfasten the lOcket.
This contained a small, sharp knife
with which he proceeded to cut his
bonds. He soon parted the leather
handouts and next broke the leather
strap tied around his feet. Partridge
jumped up to his window and yelled
down ait the crowd:
Pm Ed Partridge; you all know me.
They are trying to rob or kill me. I'll
give $500 to the man who will get my
lawyer. For Gods sake help me! AS
he continued his entreaties he grew
more and more excited, and said: IF
none of you'll get my lawyer for $500,
I'll give you 5000, 500, $500, 5000,
$1,000. Hurry up, for the love of
heaven. They are going to kill me.
Ill give any one half of my fortune if
hell get my lawyer
The attention of the guards was at
tracted by the fearful yelling, and two
of them went to the plunger's room to
subdue him. Th elatter when he heard
steps in the hall made ready to brain
some of his captors. He stood with a
heavy wooden. chair uplifted in his
hands. AS the door opened and the
head of the first guard appeared he
brought his weapon down with crash.
The guard lodged just in time and es-
capped tho blow. He came very near
being Drained, though, and he pounced
upon Partridge and with the aid of
his companions threw the plunger on
his bed and bound him to it. The
employees say that Partridge is the
worst case they have ever had to
handle, and they were all much relieved
when he was finally strapped down.
The guards were afraid to go near
the plurger during the night, but his
struggle before he was subdued had
weakened him, and he collapsed utter
~ this morning.
This forenoon his only demonstra-
tons were 4 few yells and series of
war whOCps which could be distinctly
heard all over the house. This stopped
soon, and he mumbled, talked to him
self and then fell into a sort of sullen
stupor and went to Sleep
Supt. So1nerville was not inclined to
be reticent about his patient to-day
YES" said he, Mr.. Partridge is con-
fined here now, and will probably be
forced to remain for some time He is
suffering from a severe case of alco-
holism and will require long course
of treatment before he will be cured.
1t is our belief that we shall effect an
ultimate cure, but just now he is not
in very encouraging condition. He
cannot be seen at all even by his rela-
tives. Neither his wife nor his son is
permitted to GO near him. He is by no
means tame, and that is the reason for
isolating him. But it would make him
worse to see his relatives"
docs his mind seem to be affected?"
Eyes. In fact his trouble now seems
to be due more to a temporary de-
rangement thai any thing else
To-day Attorney J. A. Larkin an
peared before Judge Bunny with a pc
tition for a writ Of habeas corpus to
compel I. Summerfeld, manager of the
Washingtonian home, to produce Pard-
ridge in court. The petition recited
that the noted board Of trade plunger
was being held a. prisoner in the Wash
ingtonian home against his will. Mr..
Larkin handed the court crumpled
scrap of paper on which was written:
GO to Judge Prendergast and get
me out Of here at once. Give the