The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-12-19
William German Dashed
Into Cold Night. Air
BARE FEET HIT the SNOW
Finally the Sick Man Was Given
Warm Lodging At Mankato
City Hall

Clad in thin cotton nightgown,
the only protection against chill win
Try blaSis, and bareiooted, running
across icy walks and pavements and
Hading through deep drifts, William
Zernen led members of the police
department lively chase last night.
For the past two weeks Zernen has
been at St. Joseph's hospital, receiv-
ing treatment for stomach trouble
and other disorders.
Suffering from an apparent mental
lapse last night he stole down the
steps, in the hospital. from his room
dash, broke the glass in the upper
10 the first floor and making quick
half Of the front door, crawled out
through the opening and vanished in
: to the night. Zernen carried his
trousers on his arm when he ran down
the stairs but dropped them on the
frc1t steps. where shey were founi
by Chief Martin.
Police Gave Chase.
Police were Immediately notified of
the escape of Zernen and officers. in
taxicabs, started out TO search the en-
tire neishbohbood about the hospital.
Firemen also turned out with the
Ford utility truck and the Buick
chemical truck, driving up and down
streets and alleys locking for the
man. The spotlight on the rear of
the utility truck was flashed into all
likely places where Zernen might be
hiding No trace of him was found
however
Returning to the police station to
see if any reports had come in Chief
Martin learned that a peculiar ap-
pearing man had raped at the home
Of John c. Born, 131 Dickinson street.
Mr.. Born stated that he heard the
IAN at the door and looking out could
only see his head and shoulders in
the glass. Suspectiag something
wrong he went to get some clothes on
before opening the door. but upon
returning The man had disappeared.
He then notified the police of the oc :
currence.
Officers Took up Trail.
From the Born home officers took
up the trail Of bare feet. Zernen had
left in the sncw. Across yards. over
lelcSS anu NHIOuSU ullltS INT UT itt
Chief Martin stated he waded il snow
gullies to his knees, always with the
imprint OF the mans bare feet Rhc,A.
In a small Clubhouse near the top ri
Asency hill the men was found. hud
dIed IT, heap. When questioned ne
stated he was trying to warm HIS
feet, The first call announcing Ter
mems escape was received at the sta
ton at 9:15 End the man was not
found until 1895 so that he must
have been running through snow and
over ice. bare foot, for nearly an
hour and a half.
On the trip to the station Zernen
was quiet hut when he reached the
city hall he became violent and it was
with difficulty officers took him into
the building. Once fnside his feet
badly frozen. were given medical at
tention and he was later placed in a
cell for the night. The man talked
ramblingly all night and appeared to
still be out of his head this morn
ing. s. times he shouted and be-
came very much aroused.
Zernca is farmer living on tho
Mapleton road. Ii was stated at the
hospital that he did not become vio-
lent INT "Wednesday evening, out
previous 10 that time had appeared
rather u';eer at intervals II was evi.
dent this morning that The man w
preturhai over bis ccnditic". as Ia,
aftornr+ed 10 N'aY f-"ls-en''v and
muttered brC''~nly about "gC: ing out
Of this alIigi -
Zc-nen VIZ 'a'.~H before Probate
Tudce Fran ! ,-'r- his r>olnipg and