The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1919-09-18
f.. u. VAUGHN ESCAPES
FROM INSANE ASYLUM.

ed dumb. The prevailing theory was
that he was feigning insanity and
many eminent alienists examined
him. They pronounced him insane.
Since being placed in the State hos
pitsl he has been under close observa-
/ tion. He has been able to talk ration
ally for months and is a constant
reader OF the newspapers. According
to DR.. Williams, the superintendent,
Vaughn has shown no decided change
in his mental condition for more than
year. He has complained Of hear
ing voices, and at times he was
vague and insoherent in conversa-
tion, although able to talk intelligent
ly on most topics. The authorities
at the asylum are convinced that
Vaughn is insane, said DR.. Williams.
When Vaughn heard of the action
of the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows
he was greatly disturbed, and the
asylum authorities Immediately took
him out of the lining room, where
he was serving IS waiter, and con-
fined him to his ward, later putting
him to making clothes for his fell
low inmates. They gave him a sew
ing machine to use in his room, and
even sent his meals there to guard
against a. possible escape. When
Vaughn received the papers served
by Solicitor Martin two weeks ago to
/ have him taken to Greenville for a
Jury to review his mental condition
with a view of having him sentenced
he was not as greatly disturbed as
by the Odd Fellows resolution. How
ever, the hospital authorities We're
vigilant in guarding him, and Vaughn
has been searched several times
Some months ago he was given the
liberty of the hospital grounds, but
this liberty later was taken from him
and since that time he has not been
allowed to come in contact with visi-
tors of other patients.
This is the second time that
Vaughn has escaped. When he was
in the Greenville county Jail await
ing his trial, he managed to gel
away and went unapprehended fol
some time. He later was seen and
recognized in Baltimore by a Green
Vile citizen who had him placed un-
der arrest.
At his trial he made a general
statement to the jury in which he
confessed to his misdeeds. His state
ment was an eloquent plea for Glenn
ency. Admitting his crime, he said
to the jury:
II feel that if you give me another
opportunity after pleading guilty to
these charges and let me have an
other chance l can be of more SER
vice to God than ever before. l feel
that | can live life of sublime SER
vice and conservation to God and to
man. As dark as it may seem, to
YOU, as hellish as it appears. l feel
that in the depths of my heart | can
20 forward to better Service and
can make this plea to you"
His plea was Intellectual, however
and he received his death sentence
from Judge R. o. Purdy, who acted
as special Judge in the trial.
Agencies throughout the country
are working for the apprehension OF
Vaughn and it is believed here that
there is small chance for him to
make a permanent escape. Descrip'
tions of the fugitive were sent to
surrounding cities early this morn
ing and the authorities were eau
toned to look out for him in an au-
tomobile.
The municipal county and State
authorities are cooperating in an en-
deayor to locate him.
At the hour of going to press to.