The Express.
London, England, 1858-04-03 00:00:00

STILANGE BCENE IN d PRISON

An extraordinary instance of criminal desperation
had occurred at Alton Penitentiary, U.S. A convict, named
Hall, who was serving out his second term, watched his
opportunity shortly after breakfast, and when no other guard
was In the hall surrounding the cells except Cribb, a turnkey,
knocked him down and stunned him by a severe blow on the
head, then dragged him into one of the lower cells, tied his
hands behind his back, fastened the cell door by means of •
stick of timber, previously put in the cell by some confe-
derate, then drew • huge knife from his bosom, assisted Crabb
to rise, put him against the door, and threatened him with
death unku he were allowed to go at liberty. This most dar-
ing attempt was soon known, and promptly brought Colonel
But kmaater, the governor, and his guards, to the spot.
The convict threatened Crabb with instant death, if any
attempt was made upon the door, holding his knife within
a couple of inches of his breast. For upwards of
an hour Colonel Bucktnuter and his guards watched an oppor.
tunity to shoot Hall, but, there being but one opening in
the door, and that quite small, be kept Crabb constantly
between hire and the opening, so that he could only be
reached through his body. Thus matters continued till
about noon, when Crabb made some effort to open the door,
but was immediately cut severely in the hand by the con-
vict. During the day the convict stated his terms of sub-
mission to be • revolver, loaded by himself, a full cult of
citizen's dress, 100 dollars in money, and to be driven out
of town In a close carriage, accompanied by Crabb to such
a place as he should deeignate ; all of which were of course
ioadmissible. In the meantime, however, Colonel Buck-
master procured a pardon from the government, to be used
at his discretion. All day the gunk were on the watch
to shoot the scoundrel, but as he had positively declared
he would kill Crabb if he was not instantly killed himself;
great care had to be taken fur fear he might put his threat
into execution. About II o'clock at night one of the ;martin
got • shot at him, but averted his fire upon a change of
position, fur fear of shooting Crabb. The entrance to the
cell was very narrow, the door of plate iron, with a email
grating at the top for ventilation. The door opened inward.
and was very strongly fastened. During the clay great fears
were entertained that he would kill the guard. and for fear of
that active operations were not pushed forward. In the even-
ing everything was done which could be done consistently
with Crabb's safety. No chance would the convict give fur
any injury to himself, as he either studiously kept the guard
between him and the grating, or lay down against the
door and out of the reach of a shot. He professed to have
noill feeling to Crabb. Everything was done daring
the night to surprise the convict into a capture, but
be was vigilant, and amused himself from time to time
by pricking his victim with the point of his knife. At
nine °Mock on the following morning Mr. Rutherford,
the state superintendent, and Colonel Euckroaster undertook
W get into the cell of the prisoner by stratagem. Breakfast
was set at the cell door in vessels of larger size than ordi-
nary, but the convict refused to open the door until the hell
was cleared, which, after a brief consultation, was done. The
governor, superintendent, and guards were on each Fide of
the cell, but out of sight and motionlees. The convict slowly
opened the door nearly enough to admit the food, when a
crowbar was instantly inserted. The governor cried out to
Crabb to fight for his life. He accordingly sprang to the
opening of the door, and at length draggedhimself through,
but not before he was stabbed by the convict nine times, roves
timee in the heck and twice on the arms. When the poor
victim was dragged out the convict barred the door again, and
refused to ) ield. He was then given • few minutes for reflection,
and was, after much dodging and effort to get out of the
reach of the fire, shot by the governor. The ball etrurk his
skull just below the left ear, and, glancing around, lodged
wader the skull. Hs fell instantly, and was dragged out of
the cell, and was thought to be deed, but soon recovered and
talked as sensibly as any roan could under the eircumstanue.
After the convict was taken out of the call, his knife, about
eight Inches long, with a double edge, was found in the mil,
sad on his person was also found soother knife with • blade
fear inches long. Cribb, the wounded guard, was imme-
diately taken to the hospital, and his wounds were examined
and dressed. The convict was laid on • mattress la the
prison hall. He said he hoped Crabb would live, and la lb.
meat breath said he had put Are men Is the seine da he was
in himself. He did not live ewer.

CELESTIAL PHENOMENON.—On Monday evening,
&Rale before ten o'clock, there was a very distinct exhibition
of the halo called the mock moon. For several mintage it
wee bright enough to cast . faint shadow in the moonrise,
As it faded prismatic colour became apparent, the red being
next the moon. The mock moon was at the moos altitude se
the moon, and distant, westward, 20dr. 7 min., as 'aerated
by means of • mestaat.-6diriargA Sietsmaa.