New-York tribune., 1911-10-22
SW|NS POND PURSUED
BY THREE DETECTIVES
"Hermit" Leads Way to Hiding
Place in Woods. Then
Tries to Escape.
SHOWS STORE OF PLUMBER
Takes Captors to Hut Containing
Assortment of Wines, Liquors
and Cigars-Shows Hams
Hanging in Trees.

hanging N Trees
Mineola. Long Island, oct 81 (Spe-
c,sD-Mineolas mysterious prisoner.
Known only as the Hermit Of Central
Park. Long Island gave three county
detectives the widest chase Of their lives
to-day after he had taken them into his
confidence and led them to hut in the
woods. where he has been storing stolen
goods for several weeks.
The hermit. who has steadfastly re-
fused 70 reveal his name. has been in the
MineoIa jail since Friday morning. He
confessed to-day that he had robbed
MANY wine cellars and larders and sew
era saloons. and offered 20 escort the
county detectives to his cache near
Fa-r1fngdale. where they might have a
look AZ the stolen goods. Detectives
.-vdersn Wise and Seaman Immediately
ret ont with the mysterious prisoner in
sn automobile. going along the Motor
PARKWAY in the direction Of Central
Park
The hermit pointed out each road to be
taken. and i'm less than an hour the
marty was AZ a bridge that spanned one
one of the ponds of the Brooklyn water
works system. Here the prisoner said it
would be necessary tn leave the car and
IN the remaining distance on foot.
During the walk two Of the detectives
ksot bv the prisoners side. while the
third walked behind. They made their
vsv into the woods. keeping first TO the
paths and then crawling through thick
u7dererowt1 10 a rocky glen. Finally
the hermit paused and pointed through
the dark damp autumn foliage to the
roof of an odd hut made from rough
sauml oak The hermit signi1ed that
the hut was his abode.
Hams Hanging in Trees.
A. they entered the little clearing
around the hut the detectives saw many
smoked hams strung 10 the limbs OF the
t-ses. The hermit unfastened the rude
door n his hut and stopped TO enter.
The detectives followed. When their
ewes became accustomed 70 the darkness
the saw IN one corner what they after
ward dscribed as one Of the finest col
'sctions OF wines. liquors and cigars they
had ever seen. They decided TO take the
hermit back to fail and return for the
stolen goods later.
ON the r turn trip. ss they were walk
ing across the bridge that spans the mar
newest part Of the pond. the hermit sud
denly broke away from the detectives,
climbed the railing and jumped into the
deep water. When the detectives reached
the rail Ia was striking out toward the
further end Of the pond
Tvdeman scrambled to the rail and
Jumped in after the hermit. Wise and
seaman canned the scenery around the
banks Of the pond hurriedly and con-
GUIDED that their prisoner would be a
flee man once he struck the shore. So
they mounted the raH and struck the
chilly water simultaneously.
The hermit showed his ability as a
swimmer. but when he looked back and
saw all three men splashing and splut-
teriug away behind him. he changed his
course srd headed 10 the right. IN the
direction Of a small island in the centre
NJ the pond. lie reached 1t a minute or
30 IN advance Of Tvdeman, and stood on
the bank for moment. watching the
three detectives struggling in the water
swir1s On, Ignoring Shots.
When Tydeman was about 10 land the
hermit dashed across the little island
and into the water on the other side
Tvdeman followed, flourishing his re-
volver and calling upon the man 10 stop
where he was. The hermit ignored the
invitation TO linger and struck out to
swim the remaining short distance TO
the south shore. Tydeman fred over the
mans head once. twice, three times, but
the hermit swan on.
Tydeman splashed in. and on his sec
ond wind made good time in the chase.
Seaman followed suit, but Wise re-
NAMED 20 get his breath. The hermit
touched bottom and ran limberly up the
bank. with Tydeman close behind.
Twice the hermit tripped over bull briars
and feil. and each time Tydeman a-.d
Seaman gained a little on him. Their
clothes were torn and their faces and
hands were streaming with blood
stop, OF III kin you" shouted Tyde-
man.
The hermit peered over his shoulder
End slackened into walk as Tydeman
and Seaman ran up. As they reached
out 20 lay hold On the man, the latter
struck out with both fists and nearly
Knocked his pursuers down.
Tydemsn and Seaman bore him TO the
ground. and after a struggle pinned his
arms under him, rolled him over and
tied his wrists Meanwhile Wise came
up, wet and tired. The four had TO walk
two miles around the pond 10 get back
70 their automobile When Tydeman
had lodged his man in Jail he said he
would prefer wildcat hunt 10 another
such experience.
The prisoner was arrested at Farming
dale late last Thursday night. He was
seen running away from a vacant house
mat was on fire. A few hours later
hquor store near the burned house was
found 20 have been entered. He was
held by Justice Green. at Farmingdale,
Today on a charge Of arson and burg
hry. The District Attorney questioned
the prisoner for an hour, but learned
nothing sbout his history The authOri-