MADMAN’S ESCAPADE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144199, 16 September 1913, Page 7

MADMAN’S ESCAPADE.

EXCITEMENT AT NORTH SYDNEY. There was a scene of intense excitement in Upper Ray View Street,. North Sydney, late on Saturday mgiu last wogk. u was caused by the outbreak of a madman, and culminated in a whirlwind struggle between him and tho men who tried to capture him. Just before midnight the’* occupants of a house in the street wore aroused front their sleep by alarming sounds of smashing woou-work. Tho noise grow so loud, and was accompanied by such horrible ravings, that tho whole neighbourhood was awakened. Those persons whose rooms were in tho immediate vicinity peered out of thoir windows, and were able to see in tho moonlight a white, partially-clad form wrenching fiercely at tho fence of ono of tho houses. It tore at tho railings with tho frenzy of one possessed, And such strength was exerted that with a crash a portion or the' fence broke away. Wild yells filled the air as tho figure continued its attack on tho fonco, and it was apparent that a madman was at work.

.Several men, realising the situation, slipped on somo clothes and went out to him. Ho was only a youth of 19, and of slight though wiry build. His dross was only a singlet and underpants. As soon as ho sow them ho redoubled his) yells and rushed along tho street. He did not go very far before ho turned upon his pursuers, and a wild struggle ensued. They wore six against one. but he fought and kicked and yelled, and with incredible strength heat them off.

Then ho rushed away again and made in the direction of Union Street. With considerable pluck tho men who had sot out to capture him kept up the chase, and before ho got to Union Street the fleetest of them had caught him up. They grappled and fell to tho f round, and tho madman sank his hgors in tho other man’s throat. There was no time for anything but swift action, and the choking man bumped tho madman’s head hard on the roadway. It was sufficiently h/fd to stun him, and his grip relaxed. By this time the others had come up. and they tbok him by tho arras and legs ami started to carry him to the police station.

Not much of tho journey had been covered when tho madman revived. And his revival was painfully sudden. A man to each arm and one to each leg, and others assisting, were not able to do much with him. They were flung about all over the place as he kicked and wrenched his body about. They clung manfully to their task, however, and after a strenuous time got their charge to the police station. There'ho was placed in a strait-jacket, and yesterday- he was sent to Gladosville Asylum. He was a young fellow who had been boarding in Bay View Street.