New-York tribune., 1903-07-06
FUGITIVE BEATS BOATS.
LAD SWTMS BRONX KILLS
Escapes from RdmdaPS Island
go Home Says Un7ptting
Policeman

The fourth attempt to escape from the House
of Refuge on Randalls Island within the last
three days occurred last night, and proved a
success, the prisoner by swimming the Bronx
Kills, although pursued by keepers and harbor
police, escaping in the New York New-Haven
and Hartford yards at hundred and-t Thrift
eth-st.. and vanishing on a Mount Vernon trolley
car
Although Warden Sage would last night make
no statement beyond admitting that one of the
inmates had escaped, it was ascertained that
the boy who escaped was named Gentle. and
had been an inmate for some months. He is
said to be about seventeen years old
Just as he reached a small pier at the north
end OF the island at 10 a. m. yesterday,
he was missed at the House of Refuge and
a search begun for him. Meanwhile, fully clad
in the uniform of the inmates OF the House of
Refuge the boy dived from the pier. and, with
long sweeping overland strokes, headed for the
Bronx shore.
By some means the boy got permit allowing
him to leave the House Of Refuge and go into
the grounds. Getting by the guards about the
east side of the island he slowly made his way
to the north end, passing through the grounds
Of the Founding Asylum, Baby's Hospital and
other institutions until, without detection, he
reached the north end of the island. mile from
the House of Refuge
The water was clear of craft and 10 one on
the Manhattan or The Bronx shore paid partic-
ular attention to the swimmer. He had gained
ten minute start, when the search for him
revealed to Warden Sage that he had escaped.
Instantly the shrin scream of the institutions
whistle told the police along the waterfront
that inmate had escaped. The whistle
brought policemen to the Manhattan shore but
owing to the wind being in opposite quarter
It did not reach the police of The Bronx shore.
Policemen Cagney and Kelly, attached to the
harbor police sub-station at East One-hundred-
and-twenty-second-st-. jumped into their boat
| and pulled up along the river northward while
William Astain, underwarden Of the institution.
put out from the House of Refuge pier at the
southern end OF the island. a mile below where
the boy had taken to the water and rowed
had got into the chop of the Harlem River
and had half won his way to freedom.
The tide running strong up the Harlem aided
every stroke, while the pursuing boats were
buffeted by the contrary currents of the East
| River. Once or twice they caught sight Of the
| boys head bobbing in the choppy tide and then
| it was lost to sight as the lad turned over on
| his back and let the tide carry him toward
| freedom.
| Meanwhile, the continual scream of the whistle
on the island brought number of rowboats out,
all headed north in the wake of the police boat.
But the boy had too great a lead. He was seen
| to climb on the floats Of the New-York. New
Haven and Hartford pier at East One-hundred-
| and-thiruetn-st, stand moment looking pacK
| at the coVey OF boats coming up the stream a
mile away, and then turn and disappear in the
yard back OF the floats.
| Dripping at every step, the boy seen by
| persons he walked calmly up One-hundred-
| and -thrtieth-st. Some stopped and asked him
| how he got wet.
| Il fell out Of me boat" he said to some.
| One policeman recollected that he had ad-
vised the boy to hurry home and get some dry
| clothes
That's what am going TO do" he responded.
proceeding his way.
| Then he jumped aboard a Mount Vernon troll
| ley car and all trace of him was lost.