Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1895-10-26
SUDDENLY INSANE.

A Wealthy Citizen of Chicago BarrIosJes
His Doors and Dcfies the Police officials
While He Amuses Himself Shooting
From tho Windows at Passing Pedes-
trians-Cap,ured bya Successful Ruse.
CHICAGO, Oct. 2l.-Armed with re-
peating rifle and double action re-
volver, Gaus S. Merwin defed the po-
lice and everyone else for sixteen hours
from II o'clock Saturday night until 3
o'clock yesterday afternoon. Mr. Mer-
win is man who grew wealthy in the
iron trade and retired some time ago.
Saturday an infirmity of the mind
which had been threatening him for
some time came upon him with re-
newed force, and he locked himself in
one of the rooms Of his palatial home
at 35 Woodland park, where tho SEN
sational events OF yesterday were
enacted.
1t was 1l:3O Saturday night when
the mans insanity took q really vio-
lent form and he 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-ffth and Rhoades avenue.
Lieut.. 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 upper rooms marching back
ward and forward with the rife over
his shoulder
They thought best to leave him until
morning, and when day dawned they
were astounded at seeing him approach
the window overlooking the street
and, after raising the sash, take aim
with his rifle and fire directly at pc.
destrian across the street. Before the
street could be cleared he had re.
peated the dangerous performance sew.
eral times; but his aim was bad and nc
one was hit. A police officer was sta.
toned at either end of the block and
the way was barred to all foot passen.
gers. Then the occupants of houses in
the opposite side of the aristocratic
park drew the curtains and shutters
at their windows closed their front
doors and used the rear exits the re-
mainder Of the day.
The question as to the method to be
employed in securing the man with
out injuring him or permitting him tc
hurt any one was hard one to solve
Every few minutes during the day the
police would hear shot from one o.
the weapons in the hands of the crazed
man, but nothing could be done.
Several years ago similar case cost
the life OF one of the best policemen
on the force, and Lieut. Bontield did
not care to risk sacrifice of that lind
1t was finally decided that an at
tempt to overcome him with the fume,
OF sulphur might result successfully
Accordingly the heat was shut out o.
tho other rooms of the house anC
sulphur was burned in the furnace. 4
small amount did not have the desired
effect and as they did not care to en-
danger the mans life the plan wa
abandoned.
Finally it was arranged that entry
should be made to the room at tw,
doors simultaneously. Each man hat
small hair bcd-nattress for shield
The plan worked perfectly, the crazet
man not having an opportunity to fir
before being overcome and manacled
He was then taken to the hospital fo
the insane.
Mr. Merwin is 80 years of age
About year ago he was kicked OF
the head by horse and it is know
the injury affected his brain. Th
supposition is that the attack of yes
terday was the result. After he wa
rescued Merwin talked incoherentl,
about buying wheat at forty-eigh
cents per bushel From this it is be
lieved he has been either making o
losing money in grain speculation.