The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1911-04-28


3 a. m. II is In this house that some
eight or nine members OF the smart
set were imprisoned during the course
OF dinner party. when the Japanese
butler developed smallpox. The party
shut in the house includes Miss Kath-
crime McNair, the daughter OF Theo-
dore McNair of the lnter-Ocean sys-
TEN; Mr.. and Mrs. Dallas Brown. the
Misses Mercer. Maxwell Reed. the
wellknown clubman and whip. and
Mr.. Thomas HARRISON. guest OF the
Dallas Browns and South American.
"'oficer McCloud's story. told 10 a
Chronicle reporter this morning. is as
follows: The occupants OF the house
had been uneasy all day. From the
air OF subdued hustle. and from care
full inspection OF the roof. made by the
entire party during the afternoon. his
suspicion had been aroused Nothing
unusual, however. occurred during the
early part OF the night From eight
o'clock 10 twelve McCloud was re-
lieved from duty. his place being
taken by Michael Shane OF the Eighty.
sixth street station.
when McCloud came on duty at
midnight. Shane reported that about
IL o'clock the searchlight OF a steamer
on the river. flashing over the house.
had shown man crouching on the
parapet. evidently surveying the roof
across. which at this point is only II
feet distant, with view OF i..aking
his escape. On seeing Shane below.
however. he had beat retreat. but
not before the officer had seen him
distinctly. He was dressed In evening
clothes and wore light tan over.
coat.
"'Ofiicer McCloud relieved Shane at
midnight. and sent for a plain-clothes
man from the station house. This man
was stationed on the roof OF the Bev'
ington residence next door. with strict
injunctions TO prevent an escape from
the quarantined mansion. Nothing
suspicious having occurred. the man
on the roof left about a. m. report.
Ing 10 McCloud below that everything
was quiet. At that moment. glancing
skyward one OF the officers was as
founded TO see long narrow board
project itself from the coping OF the
Wilson house, waver uncertainty for
a moment. and then advance stealth
lily toward the parapet across. When
IL was within foot or two OF n rest
ing place. McCloud called sharply 10
the invisible refugee above. at the
same time firing his revolver In the
ground.
THE result was surprising. The
board stopped, trembled, swayed a lit
tie. and dropped. missing the vlgilant
officer by a hairs breadth. and crash.
ing TO the cement with a terrific force.
An inspection of the roof from tho
Bevington house. later. revealed moth.
ing unusual. IL Is evident. however.
that the quarantine is proving irksome
TO the inhabitants OF the sequestered
residence. most OF whom are typical
society folk, without resources In
themselves. Their condition. without
Wallets and maids, is certainly pitiable.
II has been rumored that the ladies'
are doing their own hair, and that the
gentlemen have been reduced to put
ting their own buttons in their shirts.
This deplorable situation. however. is
unavoidable.
"'The vigilance OF the board OF
health has been most commendable In
this case Beginning with a wager
over the telephone that they would
break quarantine in "a hours. and end.
ing with the attempt TO span l2-foot
gulf with board. over which TO cross
20 freedom, these shut-in society folk
have shown characteristic disregard
Of the laws Of the state. II Is quite
time to extend TO the millionaire the
same strlctness that keeps the com.
muter at home for three weeks with
the measles: that makes him get the
milk bottles and groceries from the
gate-post and smell like dog soap for
a month afterward. as a result OF dis.
Infection"