WM. JENKINS AGAIN.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 46, 7 October 1863, Page 1 (Supplement)

WM. JENKINS AGAIN.

We understand that the unfortunate lunatic Jenkins, who gave the constable so much trouble to arrest him at the Taieri, very nearly effected his escape a second time on Saturday evening. He is described as being exceedingly active and powerful, although only a few days ago he was released from the gaol, in which he was confined as a lunatic, on the ground that he was in a dying condition. The whole case appears to be a very extraordinary one. Some time ago it may he remembered a long letter appeared in this paper complaining of the ill treatment to which the wnter had been subjected in being sent down from the Lake as a lunatic. That writer

was Jenkins. When he was first sent down from the Lake he was remanded at the Dunedin Police Court for medical examination. The two medical men who examined him were so much deceived as to his condition as to depose on oath as to his sanity, and in consequence he was allowed to go free. He returned to the Lake. But the police deemed it necessary to continue their surveillance, and in fear of a second arrest Jenkins rushed suddenly off to town. Here he remained for some days, at times showing evidence of a disordered mind, at others showing lucid intervals. At last the police found it necessary again to arrest him, and he was committed to k gaol. On the application of his wife, under the terms of the Act, he. was released, in a supposed dying condition, she entering into recognizance to take care of him. According to her statement to the magistrate, who subsequently had her before him, and severely reprimanded her, her husband was no sooner out of gaol, than he recovered his health with astonishing quickness, and in doing so set at nought all the control she could exercise. He was again arrested, and after being kept a short time at the Gaol, he was sent to the Lunatic Asylum. There he was placed in one of the "strong" rooms, constructed for dangerous patients. It is lighted by a skylight, which was guarded by bars. After a few days the man was missed. During the night he had with mysterious agility got up to the skylight by means of the smallest steps or notches which he had worked in the wall. He had. wrenched away the bars—which he must have done with a single hand, and while in an awkward and dangerous position ; he had used one of the bars to smash the skylight, frame and all—and then he was no doubt very speedily through the aperture and off. His capture by Sergeant Eagerty has already been detailed. Eagerty had a roost narrow escape from at least severe wounds; and had the madman not then been secured, it is terrible to think what might have happened during his promenade through the neighbourhood armed with so formidable a weapon. Being brought before the magistrate he was ordered to be locked up in the gaol. There he commenced to yell and bellow in a frightful manner. Mr. Stoddart, the gaoler, declared that if the lunatic was allowed to remain in the prison during that night, he would not be responsible for the safety of the 120 or 140 prisoners—that some of that number were of the most desperate and criminal character, and that it was almost certain that advantage would be taken of the madman's din to attempt to break out. So Mr. Strode had to pass to and fro between the gaoler and the Provincial Surgeon, until at length, Dr. Hulme thought it would be possible to secure the man at the Asylum. He was accordingly sent there, in the custody of a sergeant and two police officers. Again he was taken to the strongest room in the place. A sort of iron belt was placed round him, by which he was fastened to the wall, and he was also handcuffed. But the cunning and strength of the lunatic made child's play of the establishment and its resources. His liberty of motion was not restrained, and in one corner of the cell was what is described as a u stink trap," but which probably was meant for ventilation. This was speedily wrenched up. He had probably before this destroyed the connection of the handcuffs, by rubbing the ring upon the asphalte pavement until it was destroyed. He also contrived to cut through the iron belt. By this time his movements were heard, and an attempt was made to enter the room : but the door had

been jammed, so that it could not be opened, and before it could be forced the maniac had smashed up a small bedstead, and arranged its wreck so as to form props against the door. The door was still being attacked, when it was found that, through a small aperture, the lunatic had forced his way into the yard, got on to a water-closet, and was in the act of clearing the wall when he was seized. Another instant and there would again have been danger to the lives of citizens, and a hot pursuit after this most desperate man.—Daily Times, Sept. 28.