Norwich bulletin., 1915-02-20
ESCAPED OFFICER BY
 JUMPING FROM TRAIN William Petreski, Patient at State oHs- -pitai, Took Desperate Chance Near Westbrook.

William Petroski of Fairfield jumped from @ moving express train near Westbrook and disappeared Friday morning while being taken from the Norwich state hospital to Bridgeport PetroSki has not been seen since, all though blood marks have been found near the place where the man jumped, which would indicate that he was in jured-
 Dr. H. NJ Pollock. superintendent of the hospital had an automobile leave hero with four attendants to make a search for Petroski. The machine reached Westbrook at o'clock, but up to o'clock no signs of the missing man had been found.
 William PetroSki was admitted as a patient to the Norwich hospital Dec 31. 1914, on an order by the judge of probate of Fairfield, because he had threatened to kill his family and him self \ lunacy commission adjudged him insane and dangerous, and 1t was deemed advisable 10 have him commit ted to the state institution.
 Dr. H. M. Pollock superintendent of the institution, stated that Petroski had caused no trouble while he was a patient in the hospital. Two weeks ago Petrosld's attorneys secured a habeas corpus writ and were instruct ed to produce Petroski in the superior court for Fairfield county,
 Petroski was taken to Bridgeport h6C VEGAS ago df1d presented DGIOTe the superior court, which heard argu- ments to have him set at liberty. pr. Pollock gave his opinion that while the man had shown no symptoms of in sanity during his confinement at the hospital, he ought not to be dis charged.
 The court continued the case for two weeks and Petroski was to have been presented before the court again Fri day. Superintendent Pollock had been
 
 PetrosH was give niRto the custody. of Michael Nolan, one of the trusted at tendants at the institution and censta- ble of the town of Preston. During the past two weeks, since his appear ance in Bridgeport, Petroski had been quiet and orderly. Friday morning Constable Nolan left here on the 1927 train with Petroski in his custody and went to New. Lon don, where they boarded the express leaving at 11.05 for Bridgeport. Soon ! after leaving New London -PetrosLi which was granted. After a short time, he returned to his seat in the car
 The train was between two and three miles from Westbrook when Petroskt 1 again asked leave to go to the toilet given Petroshi went into the toilet at the end of the car while Nolan stood outside the door. When PetroSkf did not come out Nolan suspected that something was wrong and an investi- gation was started, when it was dis covered that the window of the toilet was open and Petroski was nowhere to be seen. It became evident that Pe- troski had made his escape out of the window while the train was in motion going perhaps 35 miles an hour The alarm was given and when the train reached Clinton members Of the section gang were despatched along the track to look for Petroski or his body About a mile east of the Westbrook station the railroad men came upon footularks, blood and a cap which ii is supposed belonged to Petrosl1i, but neither the man nor hls body could be found. A search of several hours fail- ed to throw any light upon the where abouts of the man.
 Superintendent Pollock stated that he was unable to account for the mans actions. He had been absolutely quiei during his confinement, having had nc delusions or Authorizations. Petrosk had given his custodians no trouble or his way to Bridgeport or back two weeks ago, and he evidently under stood that his chances for being dis charged at the hearing were good.
 PetrOski was about 35 years of age and came here from Poland about 1G years ago, He spoke English well