New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-19

From p star Correspondent ~ The Tribune
Beacon. y. Y, Aug. 1s.-Howard II.
Barnum. the attendant al Matteawan who
let Thaw escape. made the following state
ment this afternoon through his attorney.
Ferdinand A Hoyt, Of Matteawan:
Il am fifty years old. and have been
employed for seventeen years as an at
tendant in the Matteawan State Hospital.
During the time Of my service | have
occupied many different positions, but
have for several years acted as keeper OF
.he east gate on the hospital grounds.
In this position I carried the keys OF
he gate. and il was my duty TO open the
gate 10 admit any person who had bust
ness at the hospital.
For some time Harry Thaw has been
assigned by the superintendent as an as
sistant In the storeroom. and II has been
the custom for the keeper in charge TO
permit him at certain times in the day 70
exercise in the yard. This yard is on the
northeast corner Of the building and is
surrounded by a high board fence In Whicn
there is one gate. and there is nothing put
this fence between the yard and the road
They have been in the habit OF allowing
Thaw the liberty Of this yard seVerai
DAYS every week. and his presence there
is a usual occurrence.
Thaw Talked with Guard.
"o, sunday morning Thaw came out
into the ward. as near as I can figure.
about 7:l5. He walked about Tor ie"
minutes and then came 10 the pench
where I was sitting and began con-
versation with me. He spoke about the
article which had been published In
local paper. a copy OF which he had In
his hand. about the contribution when
no had made to the General Sickles fund'
while We were talking the bell when
is connected with the outer gate rang
This bell is rung by a wire, which hangs
or,side the gate. I went TO the gate and
looked through the hole in 1t to see VINO
was there | saw Hickey. the miiKhah'
who delivered milk each day. ana
onened the gate 10 admit him. ina"
followed some little distance behind me-
and came up 10 the gate. as he had done
a great number OF times before. so that
I thought nothing OF H.
After the mikman drove in and | was
about 10 close the gate. and had closed
Il a short way. | heard an automoohe
on the outside. | saw black automobile
IN the road nearly In front OF the
cate and from IS 20 25 feet from II.
A, the same time Thaw. who was a
l,ttIe behind me- made a sudden leap
mast me and darted through the gate
WAY toward the car. I saw the occu-
pants of the car open the door. ina"
ran directly toward the car. l called
upon him to stop and started in pursuit.
but before had got step or two from
the gate Thaw was in the car and The
machine was In motion.
IT saw pursuit was useless. and turned
and ran back at once. shouting to the
man in charge OF the tents in the ysrd
that Thaw had got away. | ran 10 the
nearest telephone. which was in the en-
CINE ROOM and called up the key room.
where the central telephone is located
and where the attendants report. Getting
the connection may have taken minute
or two. as | had 10 ring twice. but
finally got the key room and reported
that Thaw had escaped from the gate in
an automobile and told them TO report II
10 the office at once.
They rang up in a minute and wanted
10 know the color of the automobile. and
| told them il was a black car, and had
gone toward Glenham.
Attendant for Seventeen Years.
81 was appointed an attendant by DR..
Allison seventeen years ago. and have
been retained by all four of his success
sors. During most of the time ! have
been in charge OF the rear gate Thaw
has been given access TO the yard and
permitted at will TO go to any part of 1t.
| had nothing to do with regulating his
movements. and he was In the habit OF
going out to the gate when ii opened and
closed, time and time again. He was
given access TO the yard by the store
keeper. with the knowledge of DR.. Kieb.
the superintendent"
According TO Barnum. the attendants