The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-09-24
SWAN ARKANSAS
IN UNDERSHIRT
Demented Patient at Wichita
Hospital Escapes.
WILLIAM VOIGHT ARRESTED
Had Appearance Of Having
Been Severely Beaten.

Attired in nothing save an undershirt,
William Weight, an insane patient, who
escaped from the Wichita hospital yes
terday morning before dawn, swan the
Arkansas river near the Douglas avenue
bridge.
When he was found on East Douglas
avenue near the alley intersecting Main
and Market streets. the man appearance
was such TO enlist sympathy from the
most hard-hearted person, although &
was impossible 10 overlook the funny side
of the mans appearance. He was at
tired only in thin undershirt and cover
ed from head to foot with muddy water
from the Big Arkansas. His hair, which
stood out in every direction, was full of
the mud. Two staring gray eyes en-
circled by great black rings, apparently
made by being struck with some heavy
missile. and gaping wound on the back
of the head helped to make the mans
appearance more like that of a wild ami
NAL than of human being.
It was still dark when the day police
squad, which was just going on duty
found the man shivering on the streets
and talking incoherently to himself. He
seemed obiivious of everything going on
around him and did not hesitate to ac-
company one of the policemen. who took
him to the station. Later he was re-
turned TO the hospital
A telephone message to the hospital
last night ELECTED the information from
the authorities. that Voights condition is
considerably improved. He is not, how
ever in his right mind and in conversation
IL is hard to make himself understood.
The hospital authorities. when asked
about Voight's escape had no informa-
ton TO give regarding the details. 1t
was said that they did rot know how
voight made his escape from that insti-
tuition
Voight is supposed to have relatives
residing in Harrington He came here
from that place where he was employed
in the Rock Island shops as a boiler
maker
The attention of the police was first
called to Voight last Sunday morning
on East Douglas avenue. He was ar
rested by Policeman Dennis and taken
to police headquarters. A charge of being
drunk and resisting an officer was placed
against him.
At o'clock the next morning, when
other prisoners were brought for trial.
Voight was found to be suffering from
severe wound on the back Of the head.
His appearance was dilapidated TO say
the least, and he looked as if he had been
severely beaten by some one.
He was apparently not in his right
mind and acted dazed The man was
searched for letters or papers by which
his name could be learned. a Y. NJ.
c. a. card was found on his person when
he was arrested. While it was supposed
that Voight had no money on his person
when he was arrested. $50 in currency
was found The money consisted of two
twenty dollar gold certificates and ten
dollar silver certificate
When IL was found that VoiGht's con-
dition was serious DR.. Davis was called,
and dressed the wound on the back of
the mans head. The doctor recommended
that Weight be taken TO the Wichita
hospital for treatment. Up until Mon
day afternoon the mans condition was
serious and il was reported several
times that he was in a dying condi-
ton. Last evening. however, the hospital
authorities said he was to all appear
ances better. and on a fair road to an
early recovery.
Late last night the same report Of his
condition was made. but IL was also said
that the man was still not In his right
mind.
Relatives of Voight at Herington. so
far as any one knows. have not been
notified Of his condition Tho hospital
authorities say they have not notified any
one and do not know whether the po-
lice have or not.