New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-21
DEFIED BY A MADMAN
LOCKED IN HIS ROOM AND HEAVILY
ARMED.
p,ssING PEDESTRIANS SHOT AT BY THE LUNATIc
POLICE TRY TO sUBDuE HIM WITH
FUMES OF SULPHUR.

POLICE TRY TO sUBDUE HIM WITH
FUMES OF SULPHUR.
Chicago. Oct. 20-Armed with repeating rife
and a double-actlon revolver, Caius 5. Merwin de-
fled the police and every one else for sixteen
hours. from II o'clock last night until O'Clock
this afternoon Mr. Merwin Is a man who grew
wealthy In the iron trade and retired some time
ago. Yesterday an nfrmity Of the mind, when
has been threatening for some time came upon
him with renewed force and he locked himsef IN
one of the rooms of his paatial home. at NO. )"
Woodland Park II was l1:39 o'clock last night
when the mans insanity took really violent
form. and he attacked his wife, who Is IN eN-
tremey delicate health. He elected Eer from the
rear door. Her neghbors cared for her. ana sent
word to the nearest police station Lieutenant
Ronfield in command. with four officers went al
once TO the house. They found all the coors
locked and the windows fastened. They could see
Merwin in one of the upper rooms. marcnlhs
backward and forward with rifle over niS III,
shoulder. They thought best TO leave MN Until
this morning, and when day dawned tney were
astounded at seeing him approach the WINDOW
overlooking the street, and. after raising the saS
take aim with his rifle ard ire directly a. pGaes -
tran across the street Before the street couid pe
cleared he had repeated the dangerous PERFORM
ance several times, but his aim was bad ana no
one hit.
\
the block and the way barred TO all root
passengers. The occupants of houses on me
opposite side OF the aristocratic park drew the
curtains and shutters Of their windows ana
closed their front doors and used their rear
doors fJr the remainder of the day Ihe p"es-
tion as to the method TO be employed III 5ecur-
ing the man without injuring him or permit
ting him to hurt any one was nara one 10
solve Every few minutes during the DAY thc
police would hear a shot from one or the weap-
ons IN the hands of the craZed man. Dut noun
ing could be done Several years ago similar
case cost the life of one of the best policemen
on the force and Lieutenant Bonfed did lot
care to risk q sacrifice of that kind
II was finally decided that an attempt 10
overcome him with fumes OF sulphur might re-
suit successfully Accordingly the neat was
shut out Of the rooms Of the house and sui
phur was burned In the furnace. a small
amount did not have the desired effect, and
os they did not dare to endanger the mans
life the plan was abandoned. Finally 1t vas
ranged that an entry should be made to the
room from two doors simultaneously. Two
officers were to enter at each door. Each man
had 4 small hair bed mattress for Shield
The plan worked perfectly. the crazed man 10Y
having an opportunity to fire before heli
overcome and manacled He was then taken 70
the insane hospital. .,.
Mr. Merwin is thirty-fve years ola. ABOUT
wear ago. he was kicked on the mead py
horse and Lt Is known the injury affected ris
brain The suppostion is that the attack cl
yesterday was the result. After he was cap
tured Merwin talked incoherently about Duy
ing wheat at 4S cents bushel. From TINS IL is
believed he has been either making or losing
money in grain speculation.