Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-30
RAILROAD CREW
BATTLE WITH AN
INSANE BROKER
G0THAMITE BECOMES VIOLENT
ON TRAIN
SINKS TEETH INTO CHEEK OF
BRAKEMAN
Charles Berger, Who Made Quarter Of
Million Dollars in Cotton
FURRY, Suddenly Loses
His Reason

Members of train crew on the
Southern Pacific and Constable Catlin
of Burbank had an exciting expert
ence Friday night with a man who
suddenly became raving maniac while
a passenger on the train, and until
late yesterday afternoon the constable
and the insane man we're out of the
ken of the authorities and everyone
who knew them, and were supposed
to be lost.
The man whom Catlin had in charge
is Charles Berger, a New York cotton
broker, who cleaned up a quarter of
million dollars In the recent cotton
furry in New York. He came out OF
that long fight with disordered nerves
and verging on a physical breakdown.
His physicians advised a complete rest
and acting on their advice Berger came
to Southern California. where, In Los
Angeles, at Catalina and Coronado he
gradually recovered.
He returned to this city from Cata-.
lima few days ago apparently in
perfect health. and Friday evening con-
cluded to take a trip to San Francisco.
He purchased ticket at the Arcade
depot for the early evening train and
boarded 1t. Shortly after the train left
River station Berger became violently
insane to all appearances, and sud-
denly jumping from his seat in the
Pullman, seized water carafe from a
tray on which porter was carrying
it and smashed it through heavy
mirror at the end of the car.
The porter and car conductor at
once grappled with him. but were UNI
able to hold him, and two brakemen
were called in to control him.
Berger struggled with the brakemen
and during the fight sank his teeth
into the cheek OF Fred Wilson, one
tenacity of bulldog.
Wilson screamed for help and other
men ran to his assistance.
Pry Jaws Apart
1t was found necessary to pry Ber-
gers jaws open with a chisel In or
der to release Wilson from his hold,
and the man was then tied hand and
foot.
At Burbank Berger was removed
from the train and turned over to
Constable Catlin, who took him in
charge to remove to this city.
DR.. III. A. Huntoon, who was in Bur-
bank, was called to see Berger, and
administered sedative to him. This
seemed to have uuietiny effect on
him, but before this was given him
he fought Catlin and a number OF men
in the station building, smashing out
all of the windows and breaking fur
niture to pieces.
When he became quiet he was
watched in the station until the south
bound train arrived at 11:15 O'clock
AS the officer went to place the insane
man on the train he became violent
again, and it required the combined
efforts of several men to get him into
a coach.
After the train started Berger be-
came quiet once more, but he was
shackled to prevent his doing further
damage.
Previous to the arrival of the train
DR.. Huntoon telephoned to the city Jail
and asked that the ron be sent to
the Arcade station to get Catlin and
his prisoner.
The wagon was sent at the required
time, but neither Catlin nor Berger
was on the train, and inquiry of the
members of the train crew brought
only the vague information that the
two men might have got off at River
station.
The county hospital authorities were
asked regarding the constable and Ber-
ger, but neither had been there. The
same report was had from the county
Jail, and at the city jail nothing further
was heard of the two men.
Last night 1t was learned that on
the return trip Berger had become SO
rational that he persuaded the officer
to take him to his apartments on
South Figueroa street, and when the
train reached River station they took
4 carriage and were driven there.
Mr.. Berger's local physicians were
sent for and took charge of him, and
t is understood that he has fully re-
covered his normal condition and is
Utterly at loss to explain the seizure
IN the train.