The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-07-23
Escaped Lunatic Called ON Gov
ernors Parole Clerk.
Demanded Property From the
Executives Office.
SENT HURRY CALL TO ASYLUM
DR.. sBiddle Ordered Seaton to
Amuse Escaped Patient.
Strenuous Amusement Cnt''
Hospital Guards Arrived.

Sam Seaton spent a thrilling hour
Wednesday night with David Rouse
an escaped lunatic from the Iopeka
state hospital. Alone with Rouse III
the governors Office, Seaton ENTER
tanned" the insane man until an at
tendant came to return Rouse TO the
asylum.
1t was after the usual closing nour
at the state house. Governor non hrs
had finished their days work ana lei.
the building. Seaton was sitting az
his desk signing some letters Wneh
Rouse Wake in to make known MS
mission.
II want to see the governor, SAID
Rouse in q rasping tone:
1.-THE governor is not here just now.
What can l do for you?" asked Seaton:
.Weu. I Iame for my properly,
aaid the mysterious stranger.
Seaton didn't recall any loose prop
ertv that had been left in the once,
and proceeded 20 inquire more deeply
into the mans wants.
1.-THE governor knows about 1t all
right" persisted Rouse. Its on the
state books and came to take II
home with me-"
"But we haven't any of your prop
erty." explained Seaton. You must
be mistaken in the office"
Said 1t Was ON Books.
mo. sir. L am not a bit mistaken.
I want my property. It's on the state
books all right, The governor has
record of it and I want to see him.
All the time Rouse was edginS MS
chair a little closer to that of the CO.
errors pardon and parole clerk. was
evident that Mr.. Rouse was 1ul-e posi-
tive about his property and CID no. eX-
pect to be denied.
Then a real sure enough lOea iGterS'A
iG.o s,eatCn'S MIND.
'rLc governors out on the got Inks
81 the Country club" explained Sea-
ion II. a most affable tone. IL you
really have some property here anu
w..nt il tonight, you will haze to wa't
for The governor to come bac- to tcWn.
Il you will wait will call him..
His Words Were Mixed.
Seaton was getting truth ana ncslo'
badly scrambled. But this was :. scri.
o,,s matter and Seaton remembered
with grave concern the communication
nom a Lebo man who wanted Twelve
hlil,on dollars worth OF property from
the state and promised to call for 1t IN
person.
What's your name?" asked Seasoh'
thinking of the Lebo letter.
"Rouse-David Rouse" said the man.
The parole clerk excused himself.
He went to the telephone in the gov
ernor's nrivate office. But Seaton
didn't call the Country club nor was
Governor Hodges disturbed IN ms
game of lawn shiny. Instead Seaton
called DR.. Biddle, superintendent oA
the state hospital.
There's a fellow down here named
Rouse-David Rouse" said Seaton.
'.Some of his mental gearing is loose
and I didn't know but maybe ne oe-
lonred under your jurisdiction"
sure thing Seaton guessed 1t the
first time. Rouse had escaped from
an attendant only q few hours before:
II will send right down for him.
said DIR. Biddle. "Amuse him until
someone gets there.
Seaton Amused Him.
The idea Of amusing Rouse didn't
appeal to Seaton in the least. But he
Went back to do his best. Clearly
Rouse was impatient. He was pacing
the floor and was as nervous and ex-
citable as a tiger waiting for its break
fast. ..
Just sit down." said seaton. rhe
governor will be right here In Is or
20 minutes" -
Rouse sat down. Then he got up. He
said he would go home and come back
the next day. Seaton urged him 10
wait. He pacified Rouse by showing
MN the PICTURES u tIAC 6Os ca AioAS y" 4AS
have gone before. He showed Rouse
the system of filing records of every
paroled and pardoned convict in Kan
sas. He showed the insane man the
private bath off the governors recep-
ton room. Seaton talked about the
crops, about politics and religion and
war.
Then a man walked in the door.
Seaton breathed easier. 1t was the
hospital attendant.
Dave Didn't Want to Go.
"Come on, David, let's go home" said
the attendant.
But David didn't want to go home.
Rouse started to run. The attendant
grabbed him. Rouse was getting the
better Of the mix-up. Then Seaton in
terfered. 1t was a sort of tag, you
are it, interference. but Rouse sub
sided.
This morning Seaton told Of his ex-
perience to a bunch of state house
officials.
II am ordinarily generous said
Seaton. But this office is getting toe
much attention from certain sources
Someone else should draw a blank
sometime"
EAST SIDE NOTES,