Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-08-18
HARRY K. THAW FLEES FROM
4.AA HOSPITAL, MATTEAWAN, N. Y.
Slayer OF Stanford White Dasfles by Keeper, Who
Opens Gate for Mkman, Into Waiting Touring
Car and Then Makes Wild Ride for State
Line-Evelyn TfaW Fears for Life.

quietly stood by and allowed the pris-
oner to walk out. 1t was impossible to
obtain an interview with Barnum, as
he had been placed in custody by the
hospital authorities DR.. Kieb has Of
feed a personal reward of $500 for
Thaw's apprehension In addition to the
$50 given by the state in such cases.
A rigid investigation was begun with
out delay inclined DR.. kieb to the be-
lief that they planned a flight on a.
Yacht in Long Island sound. This in
Vestigation disclosed. DIR. Kieb added.
that four of the men. who aided Thaw
ir his escape. came to Matteawan in
the big black touring car, last Friday
afternoon, and stayed at the Holland
hotel. They appeared in the register as
Roger Thompson, Richard d. Beetle.
Michael O'Keefe and Eugene Duffy. All
registered from New York City. No
more powerful car than that which
brought the four men to Matteawan
has eyer been housed in local garage.
An admiring group surrounded 1t when
it was put in the hotel garage and
while here 1t was the talk OF the town.
The fifth man aiding in Thaw's es-
cape, according to the investigation,
noon He joined the group at the ho-
t. under the name of Thomas Flood of
New York. He is said to have driven
the big car. when Thaw escaped.
The four men, who arrived, Friday,
were described as rather sporty indl-
v.duals'' by William Gordon, proprie-
tor IF the hotel They spent their time
mostly in the bar room, where they
1n1., f,,,a
5penders, On Saturday AFTERNOON, be-
fore Flood arrived, they left for an au-
tomobile ride, staying away. all the
afternoon. This is supposed to have
been the last test to find defects in the
meteor and to go over the route. Cor
don talked quite bit with the four
free spenders, especially Thompson.
who appeared to be the leader. He had
d talk with Thompson. Saturday morn
ing, which caused him to open his
eyes very wide when he heard of
Thaw's escape and the manner in
which it was accomplished.
Thompson had been drinking pretty
much the night before and had start
ed in again, that morning.. Gordon
said. HE talked about a great many
things and seemed to have a large
fund of information. wondered what
is line of business was He didn't say,
50 after while. asked him.
"He waited for a long time before he
answered. Then he said:
My business is helping good fell
lows who have gotten into trouble"
The five men came down from their
rooms, at 6.45 O'Clock this morning,
paid their bills and called for the two
cars. The clerk wondered why they
didn't eat breakfast and they told him
they were in a hurry and would get
breakfast at Poughkeepsie There was
a considerable wait before the cars
were ready and at this the men be-
came impatient. Finally they drew
up at the front entrance and Flood
took the wheel of the touring car.
Two of the men into the back seat.
The other two left in the smaller car.
The two automobiles proceeded slow
ly along the street in the direction OF
the asylum. Employees at the garage
say that the smaller car eeuri not
possible develop a greater speed than
SO miles an hour This accounts for
its not being seen when the big car
whirled through Stormville.
Nobody here believes that thu five
men registered ny their right names.
The attendant. who is under arrest is
a man of excellent reputation. His
close friends are strong in their be-
lief that he did not aid in Thaw's
escape Rarnum came here from Dam
bury, CT. He is about 81 years old and
a halter by occupation. For 20 years
he has been employed at the hospital.
He was appointed by the late DR.. Alli-
son. No one at the institution was
more highly regarded. He was looked
upon as one of the most trustworthy
men in the institution.
Barnum had not been particularly
friendly with Thaw. In fact he appear
ed to dislike him. He has told his friends
on more than one occasion that "Thaw
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