Delaware journal., 1827-11-20
ATTEMPT AT ESCAPE.
FRANKFonT, (ky9 OcToBER

FRANKFonT, (ky) OcToBER II.
On Saturday night last, Beaumont and Thornton.
two highway robbers, recently sent to the Penien-
tiary, made an attempt TO escape from their confnc
ment, which marked the desperation of their cha
racters. They had once before been confined in
the Pententiary, when the dangerous temper Of one
OF them evinced by an attack ON one OF the keep
ers and Mr.. Scott, the present keeper, resolved on
their return, to confne them to labour in cell by
themselves, and fastened them together Wy strong
chain. They cut the chain off with the shoe knives
used in thcir trade and which they had turned into
saws by notchng the edges. After they thus far
released themselves, and while engaged in opening
the stone wall Of the cell, they were discover
ed by the guard and ordered to desst. This only
seemed to quicken their operations. The whole
guard, consisting Of five or six, then aroused
and surrounded the break in the wall. One of the
con,cts. who was i'll the yard, entreated them to
give up their design. the guard ready to fire
on them. They said it was too late then that they
would break their way through the guard, or perish
in the attempt and after opening large space, so
that they could walk out in erect posture, they
rushed FORTH hurng the stones they had broken to
pieces at the guard. who fired three guns on them.
Beaumont was slightly wounded, but both still
pressed forward until they had from one end ul
the building to the other distance OF about sixty
yards, where Beaumont was shot in the breast and
. died instantly. Thornton turned and fed in ano
ther direction, but was afterward, wounded ant
taken withinthe walls.
i Beaumont seems to have been a fellow p0ssessn;
!, somewhat Of the humanity which always belongs II
f dauntless bravery, even when engaged in the trad
: of highway iobber. lie was first committed 70
robblne preacher Lut instead of taking his lite t
/ pre-, cnt detection, he cnntented himself by takin
his oath which he administered on Bible, whic
: he found in the reverend ntlena,l's pocket. II
! found no security III the oath which he eXactc1 il
r this unauthorized way, and was sentenced 70 th
i pententars. where he served his time, after head
ING several daring attempts 10 break out. IN whlc
he vas ALWAYS deserted BY his comrades. lie wa
liberated but Il lew months, when together wi h
:" companions in the first robbery, he committed ant
: tler for which he was sent back 10 the penitentlar
for o years. In this instance, he had determine
- TO despatch his victim rather than be second tim
= exposed 10 the hazard Of being taken By means
- the information he might give against him. Th
Y man was then stripped and Beaumont presented hi
's gun to kill him, but said lie could not take his m
= His inore cowardly companion. however. felt II
IT. repugnancc. aud was about to despatch him, whe
~ the man told them that he could not blame thel
6 for killing him and taking his money He said b
lived by the trade and had done it often. II
= thought, however, ii wa, not well to prey upon
4 Al another. Upon this information. Beaumont too
= him into full partnership, and during the night til
T. man escaped. summoned the neghhors. while the
VI slept, and had them made prisoners.-.4rgas.