The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-13
WIFE MURDERER
PLANS To FIGHT
EXTRAD|T|0N

George Nagle. wife murderer and es-
capped inmate of the state asylum for
the criminal insane at Bridgewater.
Mass. for whom the police OF the whole
OF New England have been looking since
Wednesday. will fight extradition
Nagle was captured in this city yester-
day morning. and is now locked up
Patrolmen Whalen and Gormley OF the
Third station were standing on Wicken-
den street at s:l5. and the former had
slipping from Saturdays Journal giving
an account Of Nagle's escape. at the spe-
cial request Of DIR. c. A. Drew. the medi-
cal director OF the Bridgewater asylum
An order had been read at roll call for
all of the policemen to be on the watch
for a man answering the description OF
Nagle, and Whalen was showing the pic
ture to Gormley in order that the latter
might get better idea OF what the
much-wanted man looked like.
While talking they noticed a man walk
Ing toward them and limping as II In
great pain.
Great Scott, there's the man now!"
said Whalen.
He certainly answers the description"
said Gormley.
When the stranger was about to pass
them the policemen placed him under ar
rest. and although he denied that he was
Nagle, they sent him TO the Third sta
ton; Here he broke down and admitted
his identity.
DECLINES TO GO BACK.
Nagle was locked up. and word was
sent to the Brdgewater asylum. DR. AL
fred Elliott, first assistant 90 the medical
noon, intending TO take Nagle back 10 the
asylum, but the latter refused to go with
out extraditon papers. The physician
had the original commitment doucment.
and the transfer slip from the Taunton
asylum to Bridgewater.
Nagle's case IL furnishing the authori-
ties difficult problem, as II is doubtful
whether fugitive from justice warrant
can be Issued for the man. owing to the
fact that he has never been convicted of
any crime. The murder for which he was
sent TO the insane asylum occurred In
1891, while he was out of his mind as
result of drink. At that tine Nagle was
brought before jury at Dedham. but
was acquitted by that body on the ground
OF insanity. and was ordered committed
20 the Taunton insane asylum by Chief
Justice Mason. A year ago in August he
was transferred to the Bridgewater asy-
lum.
NO WARRANT FOR HIM.
Deputy Chief Murray applied to Judge
Christopher NJ. Lee for a fugitive from
justice warrant for Nagle but was told
that such document could not be issued,
as IL applled only 10 criminals, ana tnAt
an insane man was not a criminal
Whether the Massa chusetts keepers can
take one OF their escaped patients from
this state or not IL a question.
Nagle says that while he was at the
Taunton institution he was examined by
several doctors and pronounced sane. He
supposed he would soon get a pardon,
and when he did not he escaped from
that place and went to Boston. He re-
mained away several days. made $3.50 sell
ing papers, and then returned OF his own
accord after hearing that if he did re-
turn he would he discharged as cured
The officials at the asylum admit these
statements.
Instead OF getting his discharge he was
transferred to the Bridgewater asylum.
When he was asked II he would be will
ing 10 return there, he said he would not
20 back under any circumstances with
out a fight. as he thought that he was
detained illegally and that he had a
right TO his freedom.
He said that on Wednesday he went to
a dentists with one of the guards, and
while at that place his custodian. think
ing that he was perfectly safe and would
not escape. relaxed his vigilance for Il
few minutes When the guard returned
Nagle had disappeared.
The prisoner then went on TO tell how
he walked all the way from Bridgewater
| TO THE city, and said that he had nothing
| 10 eat all the time that he was on the
road.