The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-10-17
INSANE MAN
F0ILS PURSUERS
Hunted Like Wild Animal in
the Streets.
ESCAPED FROM HOSPITAL
OFFICERS LOSE TRAIL IN DARK
NESS AND RAIN.
ESCAPED FROM HOSPITAL

m URSUED by posse Of twenty-five
police officers and citizens, Thomas
Murchie, an insane man, who es-
capped from tie Provo mental hos
pital, made frantic dash for
liberty in the rain and dark
ness through the northern part
Of the city last night. and is still
at large. For three hours he lodged
through the streets and blocks in the
vicinity Of his home at 6S Vine street
headed on every side by officers and
citizens and time and again dropped
out Of sight only to be run
into in the darkness where he
had stopped for moments
rest. He would be scared up
near the Warm Springs and the chase
would follow. Soon after he would
De located on Capitol Hill and finally
When the whole neighborhOOd was out
looking for him with lanterns and
three shots Lad been fired at him he
dropped out of sight entirely and the
posse Was unable to tell "WkO was
VINO Excitement ran high and as
the officers and men chased throush
the blocks and back door yards tie
residents turned out 10 Join i'm the
pursuit OF the maniac through the wet
sloppy streets.
How He Got Away.
Early i'm the evening Guard David
Bonette of Provo came up 10 get
Murchie where he had been located at
ms former rooming place on Vine
street. Bonette was taking him down
10 Tie county jail when he broke away
from him and then held his own bv
keeping the guard off with rocks. He
was 80 mad and excited when he
found that he was to be taken back to
PROVO mat he became violent R0nette
saw at once that lie would reed help
ana sent 10 the county Jail for a
couple of deputies. In the meantime
Murchie gave Bonette the slip and
they were unable to locate him He
was seen near the Warm Springs and
the officers took up the chase They
made a hard run TO land MurcLie but
ne managed TO hide away and could
not be located. He was discovered
halt an hour later upon Capital Hill
and the police squad was sent for. The
county and city officers surrounded
TIER man but he got away and in the
pouring rain and darkness they were
unable to find him. Murchie wandered
TO his room but one of the members Of
the growing posse saw him go in and
the chase was taken up again Police
Ofhcer Seager chased him out of his
room but was unable TO Overtake him
50 three shots from the officers gun
followed close on his heels. Here is
where the man was last seen and Of
hcers searched through the vicinity
for over an hour i'm every nook and
corner but all was in vain.
How He Escaped.
Thomas Murchie has been in the
Hospital for several months at Provo
and was TO have been released in the
course of a month when he escaoed.
He was allowed to work outside and
was improving rapidly. He was
missed one afternoon about two
weeks ago and since that time had not
been seen or heard Of. He was finally
located in salt Lake City, but the Of
hcers we're unable to catch him.
Guard Bonette came uD yesterday to
find out where he was from some Of
lis relatives and he was located at his
former rooming place on Vine street.
He was perfectly rational at first
when Bonette got hold of him. but
when it became apparent that he was
to be taken back TO Provo ne became
and succeeded in eVading the
officers in last nights chase.
The county officers will try and find
him today and If captured he will be
taken back TO Provo