The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-13
RIDES IN VEHICLE
WITH INSANE NAN
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can" The horse was whipped into a
gallop, and the trip across the city con-
tinued at rapid speed until the Washing
ton Asylum Hospital was reached.
Physicians and guards took charge OF
the lunatic, and he was locked In a
padded cell. in order that he might not
harm himself The man win be sent to-
day to the Government Hospital for the
Insane.
The man who nearly succeeded in TAX
ing Flelschman's life is John Burke. fifty
four years OF age, who became suddenly
insane on Monday morning last. Accord
ing TO physicians at Casualty Hospital.
Burke is a white" negro In appearance,
manner, and mode Of talking he is a
member of the white race, and was regis
tered as a white man when he was re-
ceived at Casualty Hospital.
Said He Was "A Negro.
Burke insisted he was a negro. but
physicians believed his words to be the
freakish talk OF a lunatic. and paid no
attention to him. When Mrs May Car
roll. sister OF Burke. called at the hos
pital to see her brother. she told physl-
clans he was negro. Mrs. Carroll, it
is said. is black and has all the facial
characteristics of the African.
The word white" opposite Burkes
name on the registration card was erased
and black" substituted after Mrs Car
roll enlightened the hospital officials.
Burke's resemblance 20 an Anglo-SayOn
was the most remarkable ever seen at
the hospital, il is asserted, and the pa
tient excited much interest among mem
bers of the hospital staff. as well as
visiting surgeons.
Physicians attribute Burke's insanity
to alcoholism. although It is stated he
may have become deranged' from other
causes. He Is a cook BY occupation. and
has been living at a roOming house at
5iS Pennsylvania avenue northwest. Burke
retired on Sunday night apparently In his
right mind according to persons living IN
the house.
About o'clock Monday morning room
ers were awakened and thrown into
state of alarm by a maniacal scream.
The cry was repeated several times. and
seemed to come from the room occupied
by the cook Several persons ran 70 the
third floor. believing a tragedy was be-
ing enacted
Burkes door was unlocked, and the
searchers found the room empty A win
dow was open and the bed had been re-
Gently occupied While the roomers We're
excitedly discussing the strange cry, they
were startled 10 hear II again Looking
from the window they saw Burke stand
ing in the yard below, clad only in a
night shirt
He had leaped from the third-story
window to the roof of a kitchen one
story In height. jumping thence 20 the
ground. The man could be heard NUT
tering and proving about in the dark
yard as though looking for some one.
Policeman Boswell, OF the Sixth pre-
cinct, was called and asked 10 take Burke
IN custody The policeman went into the
rear yard and was confronted by Burke,
who held brick in each hand.
"I'll kill the first man who steps near
me-" shouted Burke
oh, no, replied Boswell, IN a sooth-
ing voice don't do that. It might get
you in trouble. Come on upstairs with
me and get on some clothes"
Dropped the Brick.
Burke stood still a moment as though
thinking. and then dropped the bricks
to the ground.
TN go with YOU" he said. If you'll get
some one TO look after this soup. It's
nearly burned up now"
"An right" said Boswell and the men
walked in the house Burke was pro-
vided with clothes, and shortly after an
ambulance arrived from Casualty Hos
pital Burke was removed 10 the hos
pital. AS soon as he entered the building
he broke into a loud voice. crying idiotic
frCf~ucffoue n oorroq ~ I-Ffc1,ar, rr.,r-irorc
whom he imagined were cooking under
his directions.
The patient was given medicine intended
20 quiet him. but he grew more violent.
and was locked in a cell in the basement
OF the hospital Efforts TO restore him to
normal state OF mind were futile. and Il
was decided yesterday morning to remove
him 70 Washington Asylum Hospital.
preparatory to commitment to the Gov
eminent Hospital for the Insane.
An ambulance from Washington Asy-
lum Hospital reached Casualty Hospital
about noon for the patient The police
man on duty at the hospital was busy in
vestigating a case, and Fleschman Of
fered 20 accompany Burke 10 the hos
pital
Received NJ Hospital.
Burke was escorted TO the Office where
he was given personal belongings. taken
from him when he was received al the
hospital. a surgeons scaIpel. several
inches long, and as keen as a razor. was
on a desk in the Office The knife was
missed after Burke left, and it was
learned the man took 1t while no one was
watching him.
He entered the ambulance. followed
the Flelschman and the door was
closed and locked. Burke sat on a seat
on one side OF the vehicle with Fleisch-
man facing him. The driver guided the
team through Massachusetts avenue TO
Eighth street, turned to the right and
drove toward East Capitol street Just
as the ambulance was crossing East
Capitol street. Burke drew the weapon
and lunged At Fleischman. The attend
ant was throw to the floor with Burke
on top. FleiSchman saw the weapon In
Rflrlxe'c rigbf hand and caught tho --rfet