Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-07-31

IUutinyi in The State Prison at 1homaSt0n.
Maine "A few days since. from various cir.
cumstances, the officers Uf the State Prison a,
this place, were led To suspect that some mutt.
nous scheme was maturing among the prisoners,
and were shortly after confirmed in their susp.
cions by information received from one Of the
cohvicts. who was made COMPLIANT vi the plan,
but who, finding he could not d!ssuade them IRON
determination it seems they had formed 10
murder one of the guard, (the son OF the war.
den) he resolved to inform against them. About
20 had combined and they were headed by des.
perate fellows, one Of whom was arrested Some
time since in Bangor, and the other, whose name
is Jones, and who received his sentence a, tie
last term of the Supreme Court in this COUNTY.
for store breaking in this town. They were at
work hammering stone in the shed built Tor that
purpose in the lower yald; and their plan was.
that when they had done work Tor the day, to
rush out, armed with their sledges and hammers,
and while some were making way through the
yard fence, which was composed OF plank no.
more than o. inches thick, the others were to
gain the walk on the other side OF the fence,
which might be done from the top Of the shed, at
tack the Guard house in that quarter, which con-
tained arms, murder the Guard, and defend
themselves until they could escape. On the eve
ming when it was understood the plan was to be
put into execution, J. Miller. Esq, the Warden,
with number of others, with muskets and r.
hrs, prepared for the occasion. concealed them
selves in the Guard House and awaited The at
tack. When the prison horn sounded, instead
Of dropping their hammers as usual, and a, they
were commanded TO do by one OF the officers,
who had the hardihood tn go amongst them a.
usual. they formed themselves into band, aud
rushed towards the barrier with the utmost fury
brandlshing their sIedges, apparently resol'ed~
execute their purpose at any risk.
At this crisis the Warden and his party dis.
ordered them to stop. They were SO completely
surprised that they obeyed instantly. and ranged
themselves upon the step that led to the prison,
as directed, with the exception OF Jones before
mentoned.-He not only refused obedience. but
openly dcfed the Warden and dared him to lre
Mr. Miller gave him time for reflection and
assured him he would shoot him if he did not
comply, and accordingly discharged his piece at
him loaded with two balls, both Of which took
effect, one passing through each leg. below tue
knee, without breaking the bone. The dc'pef
ate villain sustained himself a few mDm,nts and
then fell. His associates, alarmed at the 'Ais
of their leader, now Sued for mercy, snd were
marched to the Prison and locked in their cells
jones' spirit was still unconquered, and It VS.
not till the Surgeon, DR.. Ludwig. remarked l@
the purpose Of seeing the effect, that he wou" o'
Obliged TO have both legs amputated, ina' n'
stern spirit Yielded and he burst into tears. u"
wounds were dressed, and he is doing well.
The Warden is entitled to much commenda'IOh
for the frmness and decision with which he ac'rd
as without it there must have been bloody wofS
His wcll-timed severity will efftcually cheek
the dangerous spirit that had been working amo':
the convicts. by shaving them that their scheme
cannot eIude the vigilance Of the officers Of We
prison, and that when detected they will not Is
pishm