Putnam patriot., 1917-06-15
CRAZY MAN
CAPTURED
POmfret Citizens TerrOrized by De-
mented HasSan Ali Who Lost His Lies
Savings
Postmaster F. O. Davis Hits Man in
Shoulder After Firing Four Shots

StOO, the savings OF MS lie Time, has
san Ali, %, a North Grosvenordale
Armenian, almost naked, ran amuek
in the town of Pomfret, in the vicinity
of the railroad station, Tuesday night
and early Wednesday morning, ter
rorizing the jewellers in the vicinity
until taken into custody by deputy
sheriff George F. Holbrook of Putnam
about 7 O'Clock.
The appearance of Ali in several
homes minus his clothes, and in at
least two instances fiourishing large
butcher knife, caused state of alarm.
Two deputy sheriffs and a posse of
citizens hunted the man all night but
he was not captured until after day
light Wednesday morning.
ALI first appeared at the railroad
station between four and five O'Clock
Tuesday afternoon. His queer actions
attracted attention. He was mutter-
ing about money he had lost and moth
ing could be gotten out of him in the
way vi cOnNeISdliOis.
Postmaster Davis was followed by
the man while on the way home about
5 o'clock. Mr.. Davis saw ALI be-
hind him and when he, Davis, stopped,
ALI stopped. Finally Ali caught up
to Mr.. Davis who asked him what he
wanted and he seemed to say some
thing about train. Davis told Ali
TO go TO the railroad station and wait.
The man started back but as an auto
mobile came along the headlights re-
veaIed him hiding behind tree.
ALI went to the homes of Warren
Averill and Ellery Baker and asked
for food. About 10 o'clock Mrs. Baker
went into the kitchen and there sat
ALI wearing nothing but pair o
short underdrawers. Mrs. Baker called
her husband and Ali left without say
ing anything.
The man called at other houses and
n pair of shoes and some clothes were
given him. He went to Peas garage
and men there urged Ali to put on
the clothes. He became angry and
fiourished the large knife. When let
alone he went out and made off in the
darkness.
Deputy Sheriff Henry Holbrook of
Pomfret and his father, Deputy George
+. Holbrook of Putnam were sum-
moned
The Putnam deputy, accompanied
by Barrak Smith Jr., saw ALI in the
middle of the road near the Baker
place. They were driving along at
good speed. ALI wore nothing but
the underdraws. He made grab for
the auto as it passed, but missed. BY
the time it was brought to stop ALI
had disappeared in the darkness.
The hunt for the crszed man was
kept up until one o'clock in the morn
ing when the search was abandoned.
The trail led to all parts of the sur
rounding country as far as Marcy
Hollow
A!li's first appearance Wednesday
morning was at the home OF Mrs. AL
bert Smith. When she opened "a side
door OF the house Ali walked in. She
called the men and Ali left without
making any trouble.
1t was about 5 O'Clock when Post.
master Davis saw ALI coming to-
wards his home. He recognized the
man as the one who followed him the
night before: Before going down stairs
he got his revolver. When Mr.. Davis
got down stairs ALI was there, having
gained entrance through pantry
window. ALI was muttering. In one
hand he held the knife and in the
other An umbrella. He advanced to-
wards Mr.. Davis and hit him over the
head with the umbrella. He then
started for him with. the knife and
Mr.. Davis opened fire. He fired four
times in all and one shot entered the
fleshy part Of Alli's right shoulder.
The revolver being empty Mr.. Davis
laid il down. Without saying word
ALI turned and left the house.
Deputy Holbrook was again sum-
moned and left Putnam by O'Clock.
When he reached the Davis place he
was told that ALI WIS at Joseph Ell
liotts. The deputy started in pur-
suit and Just before reaching the place
saw ALI sitting beside the road The
auto was drawn up near the man and
he was asked to take a ride. ALI came
up to the machine and Deputy Hol-
brook slipped the hand cuffs on him.
He was told to get in which ne did
without any trouble
Ali was locked up in the Putnam
notice station and the Thompson
uthorilies.notilied. Selectman Leon
Walker and medical examiner, DR..
r. &. Paine came 10 Putnam and Inc
doctor made an examination and pro-
nounced Ali insane. BY ten O'Clock
Seleetmen Walker was on the way TO
the Norwich Hospital for the Insane
with ALI.
IL is said by friends of ALI that he
sent a check for 800, all of his saw
ings. 10 relatives in the old country.
That the money failed to reach its des-
tination and that ALI has been brood
ing over his loss and IL had been no.
tteed that he had been acting queerly.
III was not thought that he was violent.
Alli's wound was not serious one.