Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-18
THREE PATIENTS ESCAPE
Keys Taken From Guard After He
Is Knocked Insensible.
CELL DOORS THEN UNLOCKED
Descent From Window by Rope
Made Of Sheets-Lunatic
Breaks Leg in Fall.

Policemen from the eleventh police pre-
cinct and other armed men have been
searching the woods about Anacostia to-
day for Thomas A. Winters. William
Huddle and Joseph Andsley, who escaped
from the Government Hospital for the
Insane last evening after Telling Guard
Van Word and choking him into insensi-
bility.
James Van Word was the only attend
ant on duty in the ward for criminal in
sane last evening about 7:30 o'clock, the
other guards having been excused to at
tend a moving picture show in another
building on the grounds. Winters sum-
moned Van Word to his cell and asked
for a drink of water. When the keeper
returned with the water and entered the
patients cell he was attacked and
knocked down with a blow on the head.
Winters then choked the guard into un-
consciousness.
Keys were taken from the pockets of
the PROSTATE guard, who was dragged to
a closet. The doors of other cells were
opened, and Huddle. Andsley, Richard c.
Neil and Robert Ball were liberated.
Neil Breaks His Leg.
The grating was torn from a window
and a rope made of sheets, was used to
lower the men to the ground. Winters,
Huddle and Andsley made the descent to
the ground without any difficulty, but the
rope parted with Neil and he fell to the
ground. breaking his ankle. He was
quickly recaptured. Ball was captured as
he was balancing himself on the window
sill preparatory to climbing down the
rope.
4 general alarm was sounded through
out the institution. and the police of Ana
costa were called upon to aid in the pur
suit. Sergt. Ready, Acting Sergt. Weber
and Policemen Stewart. Dent and Esk-
ridge assisted the dozen or more attend
ants in the search.
The police think the fugitives did not
cross the bridge and come to the city, but
went TO Prince George county, and that
they will make their way to the PatuX-
ent river and Chesapeake bay.
Guards Recovery Expected. :.
Van Word was taken to the hospitah
aud it was found that hts CONDITION was
serious, but it was stated this morning
he would recover.
Hospital authorities do not think the
liberation of all the inmates of the build
ing in which the criminal insane are
cared for was plotted. They believe the
plan was conceived by Winters, who told
Huddle and Andsley what he intended
20 do.
Charges Against the Men.
Huddle, Winters and Andsley had been
sentenced to twelve years Imprisonment
for post Office robberies. They were re-
ceived at st. Elizabeth from the federal
prison at Eeavenworth.
Huddle was sentenced at Portland, Me,
and his sentence has about expired. 1t is
said that he is very talkative. and the
police think he should be easily appre-
hended. Ansley was sentenced from the
eastern district of Missouri.
Winters. it is stated, was a bogus min
lister in Oklahoma and Indian Territory
some years ago. He looks much like an
Indian, and has the habits OF the red
man. He was sentenced to prison from
Missouri.
Neil. who broke his leg. was convicted
i'm Missouri and given a life sentence
1t is said that he participated in a train
hold-up. Friends had been working for
pardon for him.
Robert Ball was formerly New York
lawyer. He was convicted at ketchcan.
Alaska, of a charge Of manslaugnter and
sentenced to serve twelve years in prison.