Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-16
CONVICT PATIENTS ESCAPE
Edward Marsh and George Wroe Steal Away
From St. Elizabeth's.
Both Were Nearly Restored to Sanity
They Were Liable to Re-
turn to Prison.

Edward Marsh and George Wroe. pa
tients in the convict ward at st. Elizabeth's
Asylum for the Insane. made their escape
from the asylum some time last night, ana
tie officials of the institution, as wen as
the police, are looking for them. 1t was
shortly after daybreak this morning when
the Waterman on his tour of Inspection
made the discovery that an outer WINDOW
overlooking the grounds had been tempered
with, and he felt certain that some OF the
inmates had gone. A rope made OF the
bedding hung from the window to the
ground, and this was all that the watch
man could find as the basis of his suspi-
cions until an examination Of the ward
revealed two empty beds. Then he knew
that the men mentioned had gone.
The escaped patients were men who had
virtually recovered and who would have
Teen returned to the penitentiary In short
time, had they not escaped. No one was
aware of this fact better than were the
men themselves. and it is thought they had
planned the affair several days ago. al
though they had shown no evidence OF such
an intention. The men were In bed when
the waite Imam made his rounds late last
night, and nothing unusual was noticed
until the early morning round was made.
The late occupants of the empty beds had
dressed themselves, and they were careful
not to arouse any other of the inmates of
the ward. 1t required very little exertion to
remove the iron guards from the window
and this rendered their escape easy. The
bedding made a roEe without much add!-
tional trouble, and when this was accom-
rlished the men were soon out of the build
ing and were on their way to some place
where they hope to evade the officers of the
law. Complaint was made to the police,
with a request that the men be apprehend-
ed if possible.
Description of the Men.
Fugitive Coward Marsh is forty-ore
years old and is nearly six feet tall. He is
of medium build, has reddish hair and
mustache, blonde complexion and has a
scar on the left side OF his throat extend
ing to the jaw. He is machinist by trade
and is quiet in his manners. When he left
the asylum he. Wore tie cotton underwear
of the institution with his name stamped
Oh ii, blue checkered shirt, white straw
hat and dark coat and trousers. but no
vest. Marsh was sent here TO the asylum
from the military prison at Fort Leayen-
worth, where he had been incarcerated for
selling whisky.
His companion in flight, George Wroe, is
only twenty-five years old. He wore a
light sack suit, with the other asylum gar
ments, similar to those worn by Marsh. He
was sentenced in this city in May to eigh-
teen months in the Trenton penitentiary
for having stolen a bicycle. Wroe was a
victim of the cocaine habit, and his condi-
ton probably resulted from his being I'M
a
painter by trade, and 1t is thought he may
apply for work in this line.
Clues to Their Whereabouts.
1t is thought that when the two men got
out of the building they went through the
grounds and got on the railroad trestle.
Two strange men answering their descrip-
ton we're seen on the railroad tracks near
Shepherd, and it is thought likely they
were the fugitives A report was received
later IN the day that the men had been
seen in Alexandria, and Dr. Wilmer has
gone there in search of them.