Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-03
BRIEF TERM OF LIBERTY
WILLIAM BURGE RECAPTURED
EARLY THIS MORNING.
Was Charged With Murder Escaped
From Hospital Clad in His
Night Clothes.

Several members of the detective corps
and policemen connected with the eighth
precinct were called from their beds this
morning shortly after 2 o'clock to search
for William Burge, colored, who recently
shot and killed his wife, Daisy Burge, ana
then attempted to kill her mother and
brother. Burge escaped from the Homeo-
pathic Hospital by jumping from the sec
ond-story window. He was attired only In
his hospital gown. coat and vest and one
sock. Three hours after he escaped he
was found under a bed in the house of
Isaac Sears, colored, No. So Pierce street,
and was returned to the hospital, where he
was photographed this morning and was
afterward taken to jail
An investigation is being made by the
police officials and somebody may be cited
to appear before the trial board to explain
the escape. The police had every reason to
believe that Burge would make an effort to
get away, and had been advised to be on
the alert. At midnight the police watch
changed Policeman Hile relieved
Policeman Sweeney, and he was on duty
when Burge left the building so uncere-
moniously. The fleeing man neglected to
close the window after his departure, and
the cold air pouring into the building was
sufficient notice to the policeman and
nurses that something unusual had oc-
Cured.
Yesterday morning Burge got possession
of a pair of socks and secreted them IN his
bed. When the socks We're found the police
naturally suspected that the patient was
preparing to get away. The hospital sur
geons informed Capt. Boardman yesterday
afternoon that Burge was in condition to
be removed to the Jail. This message was
communicated to the police of the e1ghth
precinct, who have charge of the case.
Late in the afternoon the message was re-
ceived, and 1t was decided to make the
rl,a .1A1,
ing disastrous. After his recapture Burge
gave notice that he will make another eff
fort to escape if an opportunity Is pre-
sented.
Asked Police to Shoot Him.
II know they are going to, hang me-" he
said, land I might just as well try to get
away If 1 can He added that he would
like to- die, and begged the police to shoot
him.
When Policeman IIile learned that his
charge had escaped from the hospital this
morning he Immediately notified headquar-
tiers and the station, and then went out to
make search for Burge. AS already stated,
several detectives and policemen Joined in
the investigation, and it was nearly 5
o'clock when Policeman Hile learned from
a colored man that the fugitive had called
at his house on Pierce street and asked to
be admitted. He refused to admit him. but
said he thought Burge had entered the
house of a neighbOr. Sergt. Sprinkle and
Policemen Hile, Montgomery and Living
ston then went to Pierce street, and soon
located Burge in the house of Mr.. Sears. 1t
required but a short time for them to find
him hiding under a bed in which two wo-
men We're sleeping. He offered no resist
ance, and was taken to the hospital. AL
though he had been in the snow and had
been exposed in the zero weather with
practically no clothing to protect him the
doctors failed to find that he had suffered
injury.