Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1910-06-30
PATIENTS TAKE
FRENCH LEAVE

An epluemlC OI uHIest seeLhs W haNo
seized the patients at the hospital for
the insane. On Saturday no less than
three escapes were attempted, two of
which for the time being, at least,
were successful.
The first escape occurred during the
morning when an Italian, who was as
sisting to carry clothes to the wash
house took advantage of the confidence
reposed in him and finding himself
momentarily alone made tracks toward
town. He was missed and party was
soon in pursuit. Up to last accounts,
however, he was still at large, al
though the authorities at the hospital
inclined to the belief that he was hid
ing about town, possibly in the rolling
mills.
The man is said to be.harmless. He
has dark curly hair, mustache of the
same color; wears dark brown suit,
with black slouch hat and speaks good
English.
The most sensational escape, how
ever, occurred during the afternoon,
when patient scaled high wal. Land
by dint of hard running succeeded in
eluding the attendants, troop of
whom were in pursuit.
The patient was the same athletic
young fellow, that attempted TO escape
in Danville ON February gath last,
when number of patients were
brought down to the opera house to
witness a performance of the Champ
lin Stock company. 1t will be recalled
that at the close of the matinee patti
ent made dash, leading an attendant
and half a dozen others merry
chase down Penn street. He demonst-
rated the very finest sprinting qualities
and was caught only because he un-
Willingly ran into an alley that led to
the steep bank of Mahoning creek.
His second attempt to escape Satur-
day promises to yield better results
AS he scaled the high wall he was i'll
full view of several attaches of the
hospital and in few minutes trained
attendants were i'll hot pursuit. He
had not much of a start but as
sprinter to begin with he had his pur-
suers beat a mile. Indeed, at no time
We're they in it with him and the race
could scarcely be called exciting eX-
cept for the fact that every moment
the fleeing man was increasing the
distance between himself and his pur-
suers.
The patients home is in the vicinity
of Hazleton and his flight was natural
ly in that direction. When last seen
he was making for the tall timber on
the hills west of Catawissa This patti
ent has nearly recovered and is not at
all to be dreaded. He will probably
turn up in the vicinity of his home i'll
few days where he will be appre
hended and returned to the hospital, if
deemed necessary.
During the afternoon patient sue
ceeded in getting out of the institution
in a very ingenious manner Some
persons were being shown through the
building; the door was opened to per-
NIT them to retire, when the patient
coolly walked out with the visitors.
He was soon caught, however.
1t is not remarkable that patients
should escape. 1t is perhaps more to
be wondered at that elopements, as
they are designated at the hospital, do
not more frequently occur. Primarily
the hospital is not prison and the
patients, while under constant surveil-
lance are not prisoners" in the sense
that escape is impossible. 1t is crafty
ing that the number who take French
leave is so small and that acts of
violence are so seldom attributed to
them while at large.