The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-13
MAoE ~ the SAN
Curious Tools tn Assist Them - Carry
Out Their Fanctss.

s"'s~us Hoots to Assist Them 70 Carry
Out Their Fanciss.
From the Hartford Courant.
DIR. e. A. Down of this city, In his
omcial capacity as q member Of the
state board of charities, visits period
ically the various insane asylums of
the state. and he has had an opportun-
ity that few men have of studying in
sanity In all Its aspects. In the course
OF his visitations he has gathered one
OF the most unique collections that was
ever got together. IL consists OF a num-
Der OF primitive tools manufactured ty
the inmates OF insane institutions for
purposes OF escape or defense or attack.
Many insane people are possessed OF
the delusion that they are the objects
or some special persecution. INC i'm or
der to protect themselves against their
supposed prosecutor or In order to be
prepared to attack him when they
chance to meet him, they work In Sc
cret and prepare for themselves some
very unique weapons. More commonly
their efforts are expended In making
tools for purposes of escape. The ma
terials which they have at hand for
this purpose being very limited. they
are compelled to use whatever they can
md. and the greatest ingenuity Is often
exercised by men thar to the casual
observer would seem quite incompetent.
DIR. Downs collection OF these print
tive weapons and tools In quite COM
prehensive In its hhe. and each article
I'm II carries with I; a THRILLING story
OF escape or attempted escape.
There Is a screw driver made from A
spoon which a patient at an opportune
struggled - his roo,n from, the
dining able. He broke OF the spoon
just above the DO vi and Der cover
Of the noise which ors 'sil,i at tim .
-0A.U.I I-- -
window sill until z ass'.-1~d the form OF
a screw driver. with this ne removed
the screws which held the Stat at the
side OF his window and made his ca
ape In this manner TIM man was =
harmless patient. who was troubled
with recurrent attacks OF excitement
and who took pleasure at such times in
Witnessing the fright which he inspired
In those who thought him dangerous.
The next article in he collection II
an improvised dagger and sheath. the
dagger made from a nail with a piece
OF rag for a handle ana q heath made
from a chicken bone. The weapon was
foundo on the person of the maker m
was taken before he had time 10 COM
plete the dagger by Ming down the
point on the nail.
Another improvised Weapon IL . dirk
made from a long nail with the end
"'h othn PCEo ~ us WtappTo
around the other end to serve as q ham
die. This instrument was as sharp as
an ordinary knife and would be q for
midabie weapon In the hands Of . era
ny man.
Perhaps the most unique article in
the whole collection 10 q key made from
a piece of orange peel. This apparent
ly harmless tool was made by q female
patient and was discovered before she
had an opportunity TO test its efficiency.
The prison officials found On trial that
this key made from dried orange peel
would unlock readily almost any old
and worn lock.
The doctor has also a key made from
wood and one made from wood and a
piece OF orange peel. and others made
from the handle OF a backing box. from
a SINAI staple. etc. all of which will un-
lock old locks with more or less ease.
Screwdrivers seem to be the Instrument
which the inmates consider most use
full. and there are several ran va
rieties OF this tool In the doctors coll
lection. They are made from nails. but
ton hooks. springs. from the heel of q
woman's shoe and heel plates and
clothes hooks.