The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-23

W
OLIVER CURTIS PERRY.
lem Of tho connection between lunncy and
crime. Holzhay's written defense Of his
exploits, published few weeks ago. con
veys the impression that his mind was al
ways tainted with insanity, and recent de-
velopments tend to confirm the suspicion
that Perry was never quite right in his
head "
Perry's remarkable exploit in holding up
single handed an express train on the New
York Central railroad created a worldwide
sensation at the time, but little has been
heard from him since he entered Auburn
prison in May, 1892. At Auburn perry's
conduct has been in line with his perform
ances at the Rochester penitcntiary, where
he was confined for one year, and at the
saltwater prison in Minnesota, to which be
was sent for three years for burglary. lie
has been a source Of constant trouble to the
officials, and the mild punishments which
are usually meted out TO unruly prisoners
have had little or no effect on him. Just
before he was sent TO prison Perry said TO a
friend; II don't care how long they send me
away for. I'll never live out the sentence,
even if it's only five years"
Perry's threat that he would escape from
the prison made the keepers nervous, for
they knew him TO be an expert at picking
locks. For a long time Perry was kept in
close confinement, and it was only when ne
solcmnly promised TO conduct himself prop
erly that he was allowed TO go into the
shops and work with the other cOnvicts
Since then reports of Perry's misconduct
have been published AZ various times lie
attempted to stab a keeper and at another
time refused 90 work after be had entered
the shops. lie was taken out and put in
his cell, being told that he would be left
there until he was prepared to be obedient
The next morning Perry was missing
His cell door was locked, but the cell was
empty. II was discovered that Perry had
dug hole in the floor Of his cell with
knife and had escaped into the next cell.
covering his tracks behind him. These
were only "a few of Perry S esoapades while
at Auburn. More than half of his time
was spent in the dungeon cells as punish
ment for some oGense, but it was not until
few weeks ago, when Perry began TO
make the most remarkable complaints
against his keepers, that it was suspected
that his mind was giving away On being
examined by experts he was pronounced
insane and transferred TO the asylum for
insane criminals.
Perry is now about 81 years old and is a
little over feet tall. lie was born in Am
sterdam, y y, and was sent to the reform
atory when lac was l4 years old for burglary.
His behavior was so bad there that he was
sent to Rochester for a term. There hey
said he was the worst man that ever got into
the prison After his release Perry went 10
Minnesota, robbed a store aud was sent to
the saltwater prison for three years. Then
he became a cowboy and later went east
.-sa.n and swindled ministers and church
people by protesting religion. Al various
times Perry has been known as Oliver, Cur
tis, Perry, llaswell, Van Allen, Havens.
Hamlin, Allen, Gavens, James, Oliver
Moore and Cross.
II was ON Sept 80, 1891. that Perry robbed
the American Expires train near Utica.
This train sometimes carried more than
S5000O. No one knows where Perry got
on the train. but he effected an entrance
into the baggage car by saving away a bit
Of the door. lie covered Agent Moore with
his gun, and after taking what he wanted
backed ont Of the car and when on the plat
form cut the rubber coupling, which put on
the airbrakcs. This slackcned the speed of
the train, and when it had slowed up Perry
jumped of. Perry got 5000 i'm cash aud
some iewelry by the robbery The crime
was traced 20 him by detectives, but he
could not De found, aud il was not until his
-ocond robbery of the same train between
Syracuse and Lyons That his whereabouts
became known.
This second robbery occurred on Feb. 81
1872, and was rs desperate "A piece Of work
rs was ever attempted by one man. After
r0bbing the car and shooting the messru
ser Perry escaped. but was recognized in
the crowd at the station az Lyons. lie was
sprucely dressed and worc gold rimmcd
eyeglasses. lie also had satchcl slung
over his shoulder 10y strap. When the
traiuhnnds attempted 20 arrest him, be
pulled out two rcvoivers. aud covering the
men reiterated 10 ana engine which stood
coupled to a train of cars. lie uncuuuled
the engine. aud throwing open the lever
was soon rapidly disappearing down the
track.
Pursuit was made in another engine, and
when Perry saw that hc was being caught
be- reversed biz lever and passed his pur-
sutra 90 fgll speed. Tine occupants OF the
en-iucs exchanged shots u- thcy passed.
This sort OBJ thing wa, kept up for an hour
or more. and then Perry stole "a march on
his pursurrs end steamed Co Blue Cat.
where Dee deserted tine engine, ordering the
switchman zoo the point Of the pistol Co take
the cuguc back % Lyons. a posse was or
gauizcl no Lyons. and Perry was pursued
across country. lie was finally captured
and taken to Rochester. where be- was
tried. convicted and sentenced Co Auburn
prison for ~ yUIrs aud three months