Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1911-08-15

Thomas, alias 'Sketo' Allen, the Well
known local baseball player, who has
developed into a highwayman and till
robber, he who robbed the Legelis boy
in an ice cream wagon last Tuesday
night in Lower Pawcatuck, and who
robbed the money drawer in the RiaS-
ca store in Mechanic street Wednes-
day, was captured at Watch Hill Sun
day night by Deputy Sheriff William
H. Casey and locked up in the Paved
tuck police station, left in charge of a
keeper, and soon thereafter made his
escape. Since the highway robbery the
police of the two adjoining villages,
Pawcatuck and Westerly, have been on
the lookout for Allen, and Sheriff Cas-
ey has been on his trail most of the
time.
Last Friday night Sheriff Casey re-
ceived information that Allen had been
seen in the vicinity of the Halcyon
house at Watch Hill. In order to es-
cape observation, the sheriff went to
Osbrook in his automobile and then
went by boat across Little Narragan-
sett bay to the Halcyon house, only to
learn that Allen had been there. but
had gone about fifteen minutes before,
without knowledge of the sher1fTs
coming but in order to get rid of the
Objectionable caller the bartender told
Allen that the police were after him
and advised him to get out, and he
went. The sheriff made vain search
for Allen in the vicinity.
Sunday night Sheriff Casey made
another visit to Watch Hill, and had
reason to believe that Allen was in
the Lanphere restaurant. He placed
an assistant at the rear and another in
front, and then went into the restau-
rant. and was informed by the pro-
prietor that Allen was not in the place.
The sheriff then went out of the front
door and spotted Allen in a room in
the rear. Allen started on run
through the dining room, but was cap
tured by Sheriff Casey before he could
reach the street. The sheriff hand
cuffed Allen and took him by automo-
bile to the Pawcatuck police station.
Allen had two revolvers, which Sheriff
Casey took possession of. After taking
y Aliens coat and hat from him he was
put in a cell.
Thomas Totten was placed in charge,
Sheriff Casey giving him strict orders
not TO open the cell door under any
circumstance ana to keep close watch
on the prisoner.
The sheriff had not been away from
the station fifteen minutes when Allen
asked for a bucket, such as are uSu-
ally in prison cells of that description.
Totten complied with the request. He
raised the lock-bar to the cell and
was about to partially open the door
to hand the bucket in, when Allen
forced the door wide open, and then
Allen PUT up a fight for freedom. Just
as the door opened Allen struck Tot
ten Dquarely IN the face and the men
clinched. Outside the building fully
enc hundred young men and boys had
congregated, and through the barred
windows the fight could be plainly
seen. Totten shouted to those on the
outside to summon Sheriff Casey and
young fellow did start for the officer,
but he was tripped and warned to
mind his own business. Those on the
outside shouted . GIVE IL to him,
Skete." Soak II to him, Skete," XIII
him. Skete," and the like.
All this time the men inside were in
= fierce struggle, during which Tot
tens left foot got caught in the rungs
of chair. Allen got hold of the chair
and twisted Totten's leg. He then got
hold of part of billiard cue that
happened to be near. and with this he
struck Totten over the head several
times and rendered him unconscious.
Allen then relieved Totten of his
pocketbook. which contained only 50,
cents and made his escape. The doors
OF the building were locked and the
main windows barred. But just over
the row of iron cells was a small open
window. used for ventilation. Allen
climbed to the top of the cells. went
through this window and dropped Il
feet to the ground, surrounded by
big crowd of his sympathizers. They
cheered as "skete'. scaled several yard
fences out on to Newton avenue, and
was far distant before Sheriff Casey
learned of his escape. None OF the
crowd followed and none made effort
to intercept Allen. He had not been
in the lookup half an hour.
Tottens injuries consist of sprain-
ed ankle. three cuts in the top of the
head and a few scratches on the face
and neck, and his right hand shows
the impress of Aliens teeth. He says
that Allen, If recaptured. will show
some signs of the encounter, and de-
ciares that If his foot had not become
entengled in the chair Allen would not
have escaped.
Sheriff Casey had worked diligently
on the case ior four days and nights
before capturing Allen, and feels keen
" the prisoners escape, which was not
through his fault. The sheriff imme-
diately resumed search for the fugitive
and viii make every effort to effect a
reca pture.