One interesting story published in the Morning News on Thursday, September 15, 1898, was about the escape of Cutaway Collins.
“While Chief of Police Small was arresting Cutaway Collins for disorderly conduct last night, Collins viciously assaulted the officer, kicking him in the stomach until he lay apparently lifeless on the sidewalk,” the report read. “Collins was seized up by a crowd and hustled ot the lockup.”
No information could be found on the first name of Chief Small, or the real name of Cutaway Collins. There is also no information on why “Cutaway” was being arrested, although in this era, being intoxicated in public was warrant for arrest.
The story continues, however, about Cutaway and his plans.
“Once in the lockup, Collins set to work planning his escape and having been allowed to keep his jackknife, he spent several hours cutting loose a window sash. With this he dealt blow after blow upon the brass lock of his cell door until he had shattered it to pieces, when he made good his escape.”
Although the report states that the Dover authorities were notified he may turn up there and that they were on the lookout, no further information was found indicating “Cutaway” was apprehended.
