The Savannah morning news., 1902-12-17
IN A MANAGES GRIP
POLICE SUPERINTENDENT HAD EN-
CITING ENCOUNTER.
PATR0LMEN TO HIS RESCUE.
OFFICERS FORCED THE LUNATIC
To RELEASE HTS HOLD.

Sentenced for Drunkenness, But Be-
Carolina, John Austin, Alias Kane,
Lost His Reason I'm Police Cell.
Resisted Effort to Transfer Him to
the JaiI-Imngined That He Was
About to BE KiIIed-CIung to Bars
in Cell window.
With raving maniac gripping his
arm until he fairly WINGED from pain,
Supt. of Police Owen F. Reilly had
an exciting experience in the yard at
police headquarters early yesterday
afternoon. The lunatic was finally
overpowered by Detective Murphy and
officers Christie, Christian, Joe Kelly
and Meldrim.
John Austin alias Kane, a white man
arrested ait the Union Station for
drunkenness by Patrolman Walker and
sentenced on Dec. 8 by Recorder N.Y.
rick to pay fine of SIS or serve 80
days, was the cause of all the trouble.
Special officers of the Seaboard Air
Line received information that Austin
is wanted in North Carolina for three
SNA AO0o NillA40S anu dShGu THAT ne D6
held ait the station house until word
could be received from the authorities
in North Carolina.
Acted QueerIy.
Sunday the prisoner acted uueerly
and declared that he had already fixed
up matters with the government, and
was no longer wanted as a moonshin-
er. He state< to a representative of
the Morning News who was at the
station house that if he was released
he could take the revenue officers to
North Carolina still that they would
like to find. He spoke in a discon-
nected manner, but it was thought
that his conduct was the natural re-
suit of prolonged spree. No special
attention was paid to him against I'M
til he became violent.
Frightened the Turnkey,
Without a word of warning, Austin
let out a scream that caused the hair
of the turnkey on duty to stand on
ends. The prisoner had become a raw
ing maniac, and it was decided to. re-
move him to the, county Jail, where he
could be better cared for Several Of
ficers were sent for, but their presence
seemed to make the unfortunate man
even more violent. He climbed in his
cell window like a monkey and swung
to the iron bars. Every effort to re-
move MIN was resisted. He declared
that an effort was being made to kill
him, and that he wyluld not leave the
station house. Several times he was
gotten as far as the yard of the sta
ton house, but when the officers start
ed with him in the direction of the
jail he broke loose, and ran back TO
his cell.
Started for the Jail.
When Supt. Reilly arrived on the
scene he induced Austin to accompany
him in an opposite direction from the
jail. The other officers followed close
ly behind, and it was believed that the
prisoner could be taken into Oglethorpe
avenue and then around Habersham
street to the Jail. Without a word of
warming, in the middle of the yard, the
lunatic sprang upon Supt Reilly.
He closed both hands around the no.
lice officers left arm and swung on
for dear life. Considerable difficulty
was experienced in making him release
his hold, and the officers had to use
force in landing him n the jail. He
was lodged on the commitment from
Police Court, but if his condition does
not improve to-day a lunacy warrant
Will be sworn out. 1t has not vet been
ascertained If Austin is really wanted
in North Carolina