Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-05-11
LUNATIC AT LARGE
Started a Fire in the Barn on
the Brooks Farm.
PLACED IN THE RETREAT
No One Knows Where the Man Came
Attended Church, Demanded
Ride, Frightened Women and Cyclists

Ride, Frightened women ana CyciisUs
A bizarre character, bereft of reason,
was lodged in the Brattleboro Retreat
Tuesday night, after terrorizing people
hereabouts several days. He gives his
name as Fred Baudrey, but whence he
came no one knows, and his lncorherent
replies give no clue. He may have escap-
ed from some insane asylum. The unfor-
tunate man was probably guilty OF one
attempt at incendiarism, which might
have resulted in a serious fire but for time
ly discovery.
The man seems to have come out of the
North. He was seen in Putney last week,
and when asked where he was going is
alleged TO have said:
81 am going down to Massachusetts,
after some reading matter. have got
Bible down there or part of one, half or
or two-thirds anyway, and | want to find
a certain passage to read. And have got
a half sster-in-law in Boston, If the walk
ing is good l may go out to see her."
When asked why he didn't take the train
and ride such long distance instead Of
walking he said: "Well, you see, havn't
got no money. My misfortunes began
yesterday when l was in the depot. l
bought paper, the Boston Journal, that's
my favorite paper anyway, pretty good
paper, when | noticed nice looking lady
sitting down in the seat next ter mine and
thought may be she'd kinder like ter
read ther news so | gin her my paper.
Then last night slept in barn about
seven or eight miles back and | lost two
cents and piece Of soap. or course that
amt much but l hated to lose the soap."'
He is large and powerfully built. He is
! Aaer 4 o,,I g
He was roughly dressed when arrested, and
had pair of rubbers, but no shoes. He
had on a pair of .overalls when seen in diff
ferent places. He is smoothed shaver
with his hair closely clipped, and his eye
brows cut off. He bears a large scar on
the right side of his chin.
He attracted attention at C. Z. Glidden's
| on the Putney road Friday, when he ges-
ticuated as ne passed the house, threw
kisses TO the women whom he saw, etc.
Mr.. Glidden was coming to the village
Friday, when he was suddenly Accosted by
the man, near Mr.. Johnson's. The
stranger carried big club, and he de-
manded ride. Mr.. GliddeD told him to
go around TO the other side TO get in, and
when the would.be passenger was in the
rear of ,the carriage Mr.. GliddeR struck
the horse and started off without adieus.
On the following day Mrs. Glldden and
her daughter met the man on the road.
Mrs. Glidden bought a bunch of arbutus
of him. He said the price was two and
one-half cents a bunch. Mrs. Glidden
gave him 10 cents and drove away rapidly
when she identified the man as the enc who
had appeared so strangely near her home.
The man was seen on the streets in
Brattleboro Saturday, and during the day
obtained food at Mrs Bushnell's boarding
house on Elliot street, he did not appear
in his right mind when he called there.
Joseph Birch, who lives on f. Il. Put
MANS farm a mile south of the village, on
what is known as the Brooks farm, was
aroused about O'Clock Sunday morning
by some one who tried to enter by three
different doors. Mr.. Birch arose and
asked what was wanted, and the voice
from out the darkness demanded admit
lance. Mr.. Birch babe the stranger be-
gone, and threatened TO "set" the dog on
him. When the dog was turned loose the
man fed.
Mr. Birch was disturbed and uneasy over
what had taken place, and he arose about
4 o'clock to make an investigation. His
anxiety saved him serious loss, as on going
TO the barn he discovered fire in a pile of
Mr.. Birch extinguished the fire with three
or four pals of water. There were indi-
cations that the man had been sleeping
under the stairs before he started the fire
there.
Sunday afternoon several bcyclists and
others saw the man on the Vernon road,
near the bridge. He was barefooted and
bareheaded, and was carrying his rubbers
in his hands. He also carried a quantity
of arbutus. He shouted to several people,
but so far as learned no one knew definite
IL what he said.
From rear seat in the Methodist
church Sunday night the stranger again
attracted attention, this time by his NUT
terings and incoherent remarks.
Later in the evening Z. j. Fenton saw
the man near the common, and feeling
sure that he was the person who been at
Mr.. Birch's he notified Chief-of- Police
Hall. Mr.. Hall, Mr.. Fenton, James Dun
levy and Mr.. Birch started on the road
north in pursuit. They met people who
had seen the stranger, but lost trace of
him above West river, and returned.
Mr. Birch thinks the man was wander
ing about in the pastures on the New
Hampshire side of the river opposite Mr..
Birch's farm on Monday. He was seen
several times on the streets in the village
and got dinner at Mrs. Bushnelrs.
Robert Sargent had started from his
home on the Putney road to come to the
village Tuesday evening when he saw the
stranger, headed in this direction. Mr..
Sargent drove slowly, keeping in sight of
the man, until near the village He then
went past him, found Cbief-of- Police Hall
as soon as possible, and started back The
strange looking specimen of humanity was
seen climbing up the steps In front of Mrs.
p. X. Whites house ON North Main street.
He carried several punches of flowers,
which he said he was selling for two and
one-half cents bunch. He could give no
satisfactory account of himself, and his
mind was evidently wandering and unset
tied. At this time he was carrying his
rubbers, having nothing but stockings on
his feet.
Mr.. Hall took the wanderer to the Sc
lectmen's room in the town hall and ply
sicians were summoned to make an exam
ination. They were satisfied that the man
was insane and irresponsible, and arrange
ments were made to take him to the Re-
treat, where quarters were given him dur
ing the evening. The stranger said he
came from near Boston, and afterward
said his home was in Nashua, Great Falls
and other places. He said he had been at
work on farm, but appeared wholly I'M
able TO give a satisfactory account of him
self. When he was searched small Bible
was found in one pocket. The man beg
ged bitterly, fearing that this would be