New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-12


REWARDS FOR THEIR CAPTURE.
Newburg. ~ Y, April 1l.-This community was
thrown into excitement early this morning when
the news spread that five prisoners from the
Matteawan State Hospital for the Criminal Insane
had escaped last night and were yet at large Dr.
Allison SUPERINTENDENT OF the Asylum. stated the
facts in substance, follows: About IL O'Clock
last night an alarm was sounded that some pris-
oners were trying to escape from the attic over
the chapel An attendant saw two men leave the
building by the roof. and he promptly Informed
the Waterman. who ran after the men and chai-
lcnged them They did not halt and he fired one
shot from his revolver at them. but 1t dd not
bring either of them down. He then gave gen
craI alarm BY this time the alarm had also been
given inside. one man was yet noticed TO be on
the roof but the shadows were such that he
escaped also, Notwithstanding the fact that the
building was fast being surrounded By attendants
and others called to the scene. The building was
promptly patroed TO guard against further at
tempts at escape. and searchers were sent IN all
directions to capture the fugitives.
Investigation showed that five prisoners had got
away These had been confined in the isolation
annex as they are particularly desperate charac-
ters They were Oliver Curtis Perry, the noted
train robber. whose depredations on the New-fork
Central in 1892 marked him one Of the most
notorious criminals OF the day, ana who was trans
ferred from Auburn years ago: Patrick Nc
New-York city; John Qugley. of Astoria and
Frank Davis of New-York. The men had been
locked I'm separate rooms last evening ana were
supposed to be absolutely secure. night at
tendant. Carmody. while making his rounds In the
isolation annex, had been attacked and overpow-
cred. tied to the bed in Perrys room and his mouth
stuffed with rags to prevent him making an OUT
cry. His assailants threatened him If he made an
alarm. but he states he did cry out as best ne
could notwithstanding. With keys obtained from
Carmody the prisoners gained access to the attlc
over the chapel where work In progress and
by the aid Of scaffold in the attic easily reached
the roof. which is about twenty feet from the
ground. The mon esacped to the ground by means
OF the conductors leaders that carry water from
the roof.
The thnly clad in the regulation uni
form of the institution. which consists Of gray
trousers and wais'coat and blue coat; blue shirt.
with fine white stripes and slippers. As no hats
are missing, 1t is presumed they went away bare
headed
\ reward was promptly offered by the hospital
authorities of 50 each for the capture OF the fug.-
uves. This is in addition to the standing reward
offered by the State in such cases, which is re-
ported To- be 800 FOR each man
After the men reached the ground II is mys-
terry how they disappeared 50 quickly as the moon
shining very brightly
This IS the largest escape in the history OF the
institution and the first In nearly two years, eN-
ccpt that one patient. man who was employed
on the farm connected with the hospital. ran away
last summer and was not recaptured.
How the men obtained release from their rooms,
Or. Allison said. Is not certainly known There
are no evidences the walls or doors that any
force was used to break out OF their rooms. Their
pursuers visited railroad stations and telegraph
Offices and a general alarm was sent out There
is strong probability that they escaped on freight
train FOR II they In hiding near by they would
b.,. discovered before this the country IL
being thoroughly searched. \ freight train on
the Ncw-York Central stopped at Fshkill Land
ius. about q mile from tho asylum. a; ll5 this
morning and II * surmsed they may have secreted
themselves on this. Again. New-York and New
England trains have a steep grade { ascend about
a mile from the asylum and are obliged to run
very slow 50 that they easily be boarded
That the fugtlves may have gone East that way
is also offered explanation OF why they nave
SO mys,eriously DISAPPEARED.
ur. Allison said this afternoon hat although a
searching party 81 between fifteen dnI twenty was
looking ia- The escaped patients. thor had been n
CrN Whatever 'tportt4 OF we missing nt'.. -
| considered singular that while sixteen hours nv
elapsed since the left thc hospital. lot person
has been found VINO admits having s.'H t"S n,
'hrm This fact IS strengthening \ suspicion 'ld'
cape for &; Will be rememb' red the men went away
| .u the Uniform of the hospital AMI probably bare
plai. th,y could not very well have gone far with
oq hing noti' IN Ins P'fuW a;@a,n f., f., as
serted that he gave AZ Auburn unmisiakao,e signs
OF Insanity keeping a section Of the big prison IN a
! badly disturbed condition. He contrived To secure
| some needles. and when an attempt vas made one
| day - take them rom his eel" he JabbeI the
needles IN his eye. The sight u the eye was not IN
! iurrl
! Keeper Carmodv has been suspended temporarily,
/ pending an investigation by State Superintendent
| Lathrop. which viii be made tomorrow.
| Osweso y. y April ll-Danie r. Mclnern'y. the
| American Express messenger whom Oliver Curtis
Perry tried to rob in his near Lyons. asks The
| the United Press to correct statement That has
been sent out that Perry rned his express car. Nj
| Mclncrney says that Perry I'D not have OPP
! portunty - tou-h "A single arc." of value In III.
| car Ills time taken ~ firing at tho express
messenger anl trying 10 keep the after from pull
| ing the bell rope.