The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-21
FROM HIS LOOKOUT AT A WINDOW
HE SHOT AT ALL WHO CAME
WITHIN RANGE.
HELD THE FORT FOR HOURS.
FINALLY CAPTURED BY Two OFFI-
GERS WITH BED MATTRESSES
FOR SHIELDS.

CHICAGO, ILL, Oct. 20.-Armed with
repeating rifle and q double-action re-
volver, Gaius S. Merwin defied the police
and every one else for sixteen hours, from
IL o o'clock last night until 8 this afternoon.
Merwin is man who grew wealthy in
the iron trade and retired some time ago.
Yesterday an infirmity of the mind, which
has been threatening him for some time,
came upon him with renewed force and he
locked himself in one of the rooms of his
palatial home, at So Woodland Park, where
the sensational events of to-day were
enacted. 1t was IL 80 o'clock last night
when the mans insanity took really
violent form and be attacked his wife, who
is in extremely delicate health. He forced
her to leave the house, and, in fact, elected
her from the rear door. Her neighbors
cared for her and sent word to the police
station at Thirty fifth street and Rhodes
avenue.
Lieutenant Bonfield, who is in command
of that district, with four officers, went at
once to the house. They found all of the
doors locked and the windows fastened.
They could see Merwin in one of the up
per rooms marching backward and for
ward with the rifle over his shoulder.
They thought best to leaYe him until
this morning. and when day dawned they
were astounded at seeing him approach
the window overlooking the street. and,
after raising the sash, take aim and fire
at pedestrian across the street Before
the street could be cleared he had repeated
the dangerous performance several times,
but his aim was bad and no one was hit
A police officer was stationed at either
end OF the block, and the way was barred
to all foot passengers Then the occupants
of houses in the opposite side of the aristo-
cratic park drew the curtains and shutters
at their windows, closed their front doors.
and used the rear exits the remainder of
the day. The question as to the method
to be employed in securing the man with
out injuring him or permitting him to
hurt any one was a hard one to solve.
Every few minutes during the day the
police would hear shot from one of the
weapons in the hands of the crazed man,
but nothing could be done. Several years
ago a similar case cost the life of the best
policeman on the force, and Lieutenant
Bonfied did not care to risk sacrifice of
that kind.
1t was finally decided that an attempt to
overcome hlm with fumes OF sulphur
might result successfully. Accordingly
the heat was shut out of the other rooms
of the house and sulphur was burned in
the furnace. A small amount did not
have the desired effect and as they did
not care to endanger the mans life the
plan was abandoned.
Finally it was arranged that entry
should be made to the room at two doors
simultaneously. The officers were to en-
ter at each door. Each man had a small
hair bed mattress for a shield. The plan
worked perfectly, the crazed man not hav-
ing an opportunity to fire before being
overcome and manacled. He was then
taken to the insane hospital.
Mr.. Merwin is 35 years old. About
year ago he was kicked on the head by
horse and 1t is known the injury affected
his brain. The supposition is that the at
tack OF yesterday was the result. After he
was rescued Merwin talked incoherently
about buying wheat at 48 cents bushel
From this it is believed he has been either
making or losing money in grain specula-
ton