The evening times., 1899-06-12
BATTLING WITH A MANIAC.
Experience of Ambulance Surgeon,
With n Crnxy Mnn.

New 1ofk, June 1.-TWO lunatlcS IN an
ambulance. on their way from the West
Fifty-third Street prison TO Bellevue Hos
pital. one struggling TO escape and engag-
ed in furious battle with two ambulance
surgeons. caused great excitement in
Eighth Avenue yesterday morning While
the ambulance was going at break neck
| speed five bicycle riders. Of whom one
was a bicycle policeman. kept alongside
and tried TO aid the doctors in subduing
! the prisoner.
/ Magistrate Wentworth. in the West Side
police court. yesterday. committed Theo-
dcre Martel. iifty-five years old an uphol-
sterer of 9s4 Eighth Avenue. and George
Degenhardt, twenty-nine years old, a la
bcrer. with no home to Bellevue for ex-
animation as to their sanity.
When Drs. Taylor and Christian arrived
at the prison at noon the two insane men
entered the ambulance quietly enough.
They appeared so docile that the restrain
ing belts were not put on them. Scarcely
had the ambulance turned into Eighth Ay-
enue, however, before Degenhardt sat up
and aimed terrific blow at the head of
DR.. Taylor. who was seated in the rear
part of the vehicle.
Let me out" cried the lunatic, "or I'll
kill you. The doctor lodged the blow
and grappled with the man. Degenhardt
who is a powerful fellow. became frenzied
in moment. With his eyes rolling wild
ly he kicked and shouted as he struggled
for freedom.
AS DR.. Christian. who was on the f. ont
seat with the driver, turned to aid his
compaion. he saw the second lunatic, Mar
tel, slip quietly past the combatants int
jump from the ambulance. The doctor
leaped OFF at the risk of breaking his neck
and started in pursuit. He caught Martel
half 4 block away and dragged him back
to the ambulance. Moses Morris. the driv-
er. had in the meantime stopped the We
hicle and run to the assistance of DR..
Taylor.
Eighth Avenue was crowded at the tine.
and nearly 4o0 persons gathered about the
ambulance. volunteering assistance The
driver wanted to take the two men back
to prison. but DR.. Taylor ordered him to
drive TO the hospital
As Morris whipped up his horse the two
doctors tried to adjust the restraining belt
or Degenhardt. The man was at once
seized with another maniacai attack CT fu-
ry. He struck the doctor with his poxer-
full fists, and when thrown en- his back by
DIR. Taylor struck out with his feet
u
tore DIR. Christians white duck suit in O
shreds in few moments Then he at
tackled the ambulance and nearly Xxi ked
cut the side.
Help! They're killing mel" cried the
madnan. in fresh burst of rage he strug-
gled TO his feet, seized DR.. Taylor by the
throat. and bent Kim backward over the
tailboard of the ambulance.
Bicycle riders scattered as the ambl-
lance sped down the avenue. but several
courageous riders kept alongside and tried
to catch hold OF Degenhardts arms. stop
the ambulance and we'll hslp you." they
cried.
D-. Christian rescued DR.. Taylor and to-
gether they tied Degenhardt's knees and
feet to the guard rail with tandases. Tten
they were able to strap the leather 1t
about his waist and snap the iron hand
cuffs around his wrists. Martel,A the ota-
er prisoner. took no part in the light. but
crcuched in corner of the vehicle terri
fed at the struggle.
II was rot until they had reached Thir-
ty fourth Street that the doctors subdued
the madman. Several policemen then ran
up, but their assistance was not needed
When the two men were led into the in
sane pavilion they had Gained down COM
pletely Drs. Taylor and Christian were
thoroughly exhausted.
''The men would surely have escaped"
said Dr. Christian. IF l hadn't accompa-
MED Dr. Taylor. One man couldn't have
managed thems IT was the Earliest fight
of our lives. My arms and body are cov-
cred with bruises. 1. had put my suit on
Only an hour before. and had to don an
other the moment got back"