Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-05-13
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.
MURDER AT THE CONNECTICUT STATE
PRISON,

On the night of Tuesday last, Mr.. Hoskins.
one OF the Prison guards at Wethersheld, was
murdered by four cOnvicts under the most ap-
palliug circumstances. 1t may be we'll 10 state,
that the cells are in one solid block entirely GOV.
cred BY an outer building, between which and
the cells is . large area, where " the sentry
walks his lonely roOnI'' in the night season, the
pri soners being locked in about sun down. We.
~ soOa after the guard had been relieved aud
somewhat before mid night, convict whose Dame
is Teller, and whose cell Is near the south east
corner Of the block, commenced boring on the
inside OF his door directly against the lock with
a bit which he had contrived to convey to his cell
and secrete at dinner time 0r during the after
uoou. Having made hole about two inches in
diameter, he succeeded 10 pushing back the bolt
With a wire; and as soon as Hoskins had passed
on hs round, Teller went to cell occupied by
Cesar Reynolds, black, who handed out
through the grated opening near the top Of his
door, a skeleton kew. with which Teller unlock
ed Caesars door. They then followed Hoskins
silently and at distance, until they came to an
other occo,np!ice whose cell they unlocked, and
with whom they continued 10 follow directly on
after the guard, ill they came to a fourth. They
imme dately released him, and the four then
noselessly traversed the entire circuit Of the area
Keeping the same distance behind Mr.. Fl and so
managing their internal plot as to be unsupported
by him. till they came to a fifth, whose cell they
opened, and whom they threatened with violence
| unless he would instantly join them. Fearing
the consequences, he refused, and they left him,
as the guard had walked more than halt way
round again.
Two of the Williams armed with steel bar Is
inches long, and one thick, then proceeded on at
a quicker pace after Mr.. IIeskins. while the
other two taking the same direction repaired to
Caesars cell near the north west corner, OF the
block, where they waited till Mr.. Hoskins had
approached to within 10 or IL feet-thev then
stepped out in front Of him. Alarmed at their
sudden aud unexpected appearance, he halted
and enQured what they were about, whcn one
of the two in his rear struck him with great via
lcnce on the top of his head and broke his skull.
As he Tell, he exclaimed, "don't kill me- and
a stiaed cry OF murder was heard-One OF the
monsters having sprung upon him aud covered
his mouth with his hand. The unfortunate guard
probably survived bu, few moments, and after
the monsters had deliberately felt his pulse and
ascertained his death. they advanced to a small
iron door, through which the provisions Of the
prisoners are passed to them from the kitchen,
aud with another skeleton KEY attempted to
open it. Fortunately one of the wards OF the key
was broken of IN the attempt and as they found
i. LnoossbetO turn the bolt with the remaining
parton they endeavored to pry the door open or
break it with the street bar. This they could
not do. The female apartments are separated from
the male by a thick stone wall, and the entrance
from the latter is secured by massive iron clad
door.
During the attack upon Hoskins and the ef.
forts to escape which immediately followed, the
,,,t h.,
most praise@ Orthy manner, called out to the ma.
tron, that the prisoners we're loose and attempt
inc to effect an entrance into the female apart
ment She succeeded In awakening the matron,
who instantly repaired to the door, and drawing
the slide perceived four convicts at liberty IN the
area and working at the small door leading into
the cook room. Without loss Of time she reach.
ed the yarI wall and went round on that to the
guard roem. Teller meantime had put on Hos
kips' great coat and hat, and was PromeDadiDg
the area, Initiating the deceased in his walk and
cries. The deception WAS complete. As soon
as the warden and guards were notified OF passing
events they rushed into the area and FASTENED TO
the scene. The liberated convicts, however,
soon 90, wind of this movement and instantly
made Tor their cells. One Of them, black, by
the name of Johnson, was locked IN BY Teller,
and Cesar required the same favor, bot Teller,
told him to take care Of himself. They awaited
the approach Of the guard without ematlon-con-
fessed the whole, except the ~ilfui murder, and
declared that it was not their intention to have
killed Hoskins but only to have disabled him..
1t seems by their confession that they have been
deyis,ns this scheme to escape tor the past two
years. and bad long time since prepared false
KEYS tor that purpose. How OF when they were
,,aj. !. ,pystpriuus for the prisoners while at
work are ali closely watched by their overseers.
The four murderers are now in irons in their cells.
Caesar was sentenced some three Or four years
AGO for life; Johnson for four years only, and his
s third a white man by the name of Reynolds, for
fourteen years; and Teller for fifteen.
Teller is the same individual VINO came from
New York to this city in August, 1880, and We
ry adroitly passed of large number OF bills, on
the Union Bank, altered from one to tens. Car
rying his speculation little too tar, he was ar
rested AND convicted. While in this city he
called himself John Scott, and after his release
Al. l.kS nf hn