The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-06

Kew York. Dec. G.-John Armstrong
Chanler grandson Of John Jacob
Astor escaped on Friday last from
BioomIngdale asylum. where he had been
confined for three years.
Diigent search by asylum keepers,
family friends and the police of all the
neigh5oring cities has failed to unearth
the slightest clue To his whereabouts
The only guide for the searchers was
furnished by the insane fugitive himself
IL was a letter 10 DIR. Lyons OF the Bloom
ingdsIe staff postmark~d New York city,
N WHICH MT. rnsn1sr wrote.
II have gone away for few days on
little personal business"
This was received at the asylum "
hours after Mr.. ChanleT's escape. The
gravest fears are entertained for the safe
~ Of the escaped man. His case Is rated
on the asylum records 'lncurable.
Mr.. chanier is shattered In mind and as
poweress AS a child TO care for himself
Mr.. Chaner. with All income OF S3O.Wo
year, has lived in luxury at the asylum,
occupying private suit of rooms on the
ground floor and having his own horses.
servants and special attendants.
WALKED LEIsURELY AWAY.
He left his room hast Friday and
strolled out into the extensive grounds.
He passed A group OF attendants with
pleasant greeting aud went out at sight
at a slow walk That was the last seen
Of Mr.. Chanler at the asylum.
When hours had passed and he did not
return. keepers were sent out TO find him.
They secured the country for miles
around the asylum and found one clue.
furnished by some ioungers at the White
Plains depot. They recalled having seen
a tall man answering Mr.. CHAMBERS de-
scription rush through the depot and
board an early afternoon train Tor New
York.
The letter written to Dr Lyons by Mr..
chsnler proves that the fugitive has
been In this city and Is responsible for
the beiief that he is still here. II so. the
man II either wandering about In de-
mented condition or is in hiding. He has
not appeared AT any OF his old haunts or
been seen or heard Of by any of his fsmi-
IL or friends
Prescott Hall Butler of the law firm OF
Evarts choate A. Beaman. OF No. 80 Wall
street. IL the committee OF the insane
msns sras and ,ss & sgpoghsn SS
commit9en TO Bloomingdale.
HIS FRIENDS APPREHENsIvE
'.It is true that Mr. Chanler has es-
capped from the hospital. SAID Mr.. But
Ter. There is no trace OF him beyond the
letter 10 Dr. Lyons. and, OF course, his
friends are apprehensive. lie Is insane
fncuraby, so the doctors say-and any
thing may happen to "A man wandering at
large In such a condition. / do not think
that he had any money with him when ne
escaped. and cannot Imagine where he
could have gone. There was nothing i'm
his hallucinations TO give direction 10 his
Congressman William Astor Chanler.
another protner of the insane Fugitive,
and Margaret ChanIer. his sister, are ont
of the city
Pathos and tragedy are closely blended
in the life OF JOHN Armstrong Chanler.
His marriage 60 Amciie Rives, now the
Princess Troubetzkoy, created a social
stir. Thfir divorce after three years OF
married life came as generally expected
climax TO the union.
Mr.. Chanler Is the son OF the hate Prof.
Chanier OF Columbia college. was born In
New York aud educated AT Rugby, Eng,
and under his father at Columbia
lie turned his attention 10 art, devoting
his time and money TO the work of pro-
vidine poor ART st'Idents IN Paris with an
education. ~
lie met the brilliant daughter of Col.
Alfred Rives Of Virginia. IN 1876 at New
mort TWO years later they were married.
When they separated she established
herself in Europe aud he returned 10 art
and to his cfibs. Mrs Chanler returned
that She had divorced her husband. In
compatibility OF temper was the plea.
Close upon the divorce came the wo-
mans marriage 10 Prince Troubctzkoy-
and then her retirement 10 a sanitarium
She emerged I'm time from this retreat.
oriv 10 be prostrated again. IN her home
IN the south she IL now living apart from
the world.
way speedily under the pressure oi his
troubles. Hsnucinsuons III his mind lie
tbsf1k himself the reincarnation OF Ma
tole0n and believes nc Is destined 70 resp