The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-25
REFORM BUREAU
INNATE IS FOUND
TIED AND GAGGED
Discovered in a Small
House Near InSti-
tuition.
ASSAILANT is UNKNOWN
Attempt to Hang Him Fails.
Almost Sufocated
by Gas.

Dy Gas.
Found in a small house in the rear
yr-rd Of the International Reform Bu
reau. 204-6 Pennsylvania Avenue south
east, early this morning with his hands
and feet tied. a gas tube stuck IN his
mouth with the gas turned on and
evidences of having been hanged oy
the neck, Samuel d. Wilson. about thir-
ty-four years old. and an inmate Of the
institution. informed the police that he
did not know who did 1t or anything in
regard TO the assault.
The police of the Ninth precinct made
an investigation and after falling to
find any clew leading TO the arrest of
the guilty person. or persons, called upon
the detective Office for assistance. De-
tective Pratt, OF the central Office, was
detailed upon the case. He was unable
10 learn anything other than that VIII
son is alleged 10 be extremely eccentric.
According TO Wilson'S story. he went
TO a letter box at :5econd Street and
Pennsylvania Avenue. shortly before
midnight. about hrncred yards from
the Institution. to mail a letter. and
when he returned a trihe less than two
minutes later. he found the front door
locked.
The Tennis Court.
He walked around by the tennis court
on the side of the building and he SAYS
ne became unconscious after taking two
OF three steps along the west side Of
The house. He says he has q faint recoi-
lCctlon Of having been struck on the
head. picked up by the feet and head,
and carried short distance, but other
than that he has no recollection.
Despite tie incredulity OF the police
and those who heard the statement
made by Wilson. he is corroborated by
Mrs MiIlird. After partaking Of nour-
helpless conditi1a and reported the mat
ter 10 the police.
The mans hands were securely bound
together, behind his back. Stout thongs
held his ankles too close together for
comfort. and 4 handkerchief was bound
50 tightly over his face after the gas
Jet had been inserted, that he could
not utter a syllable A rope was tied
TO the rafters Of the house. and then
fastened about his neck. His weight
was evidently too great for the slend-
er rO9e and II broke. Wilson fell 70
the floor anu. after turning over ana
10 side, succeeded in getting the gas
tube sufficiently far out Of his mouth
10 cause the gas to escape under his
nose instead OF going into his stomach.
Mrs. Milliord's Story.
WIithlng in agony and almost dead
from exhaustion and loss Of sleep. the
man was unbound and helped into the
house at an early hour this morning by
Mrs. NiIllrd who found him in his
ishment he was able 10 talk. not very
coherently. He was wildly excited and
cou'1 not restrain himself, Wilson says
there was more than one who assaulted
him. but they are unknown TO him.
A reporter Of The Times saw Wilson
this mOrniag and received from him a
written statement from which the fol-
lowing Is taken:
s. u. Wilson, al inmate OF the Inter
national Reform Bureau. 204-206 Penn
sylvania Avenue southeast. is the piaia-
tin IN suit against Percival W. Glenn
ent, formerly candidate for governor
OF Vermont. 10 recover $4,000 for al
legged slander. Wilson was violently as
saulted at a late hour last night, or
early this morning Wilson had gone 10
a letter box near Second Street and
Pennsylvania Avenue southeast and
was assaulted on his return home When
found IN the Clubhouse by a neighbor
this morning he was bound, gagged and
had evidently been hanged by the neck
ills Ire EaQ apparently Deen saved bv
the breaking Of the rope.
Detective in Vermont.
Wilson was employed by authority Of
Governor Stickney, OF Vermont. as a
State detective. Because Of ais work he
incurred fhe displeasure or violators OF
the law and was assaulted by them
while leaving his hotel He discharged
his revolver in self-defense. finally in
Juring his principal assailant Wilson
was indicted by the grand jury for
manslaughter and unanimously acquitted
by a jury six months later.
During the interval between the in
dictment and the accuittal, Clement
opened a political crusade against the
EQuor law OF Vermont.
1t IS alleged by Wilson IN his sult
for damages that Clement. openly. pub
hclv and repeatedly charged Wilson
with the crime OF murder. This suit
was tried before Judge wheeler In Rut-
land. VT. recently. Because several OF
the jurors were disqualified the presid-
ing judge OF the United states circuit
court ordered that the suit be tried
again next NAV.
The statement was later handed TO the
police and viii be put IN the case with
the knives taken from Dorsey FOuitz
the fake internal machine sent 10 Chief
Justice Waite OF the Supreme Court. and
the other curiositles.