Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-07-25
ESCAPE & REcAprURE OF CLoUGH.


CIough, the murderer Of Mrs. Hamilton, sen
fenced to be hung on Friday next. made his es-
cape from the Mount Holly State prison. between
Saturday and Sunday morning. The particulars,
as We have a3certa,ued them from member OF
the Sherihf's family, are substantal'! as io''o":
Upon the discovery Of Clough's previous at1emp'
to escape, he was removed to a dungeon, where
he remained until few days ago. Several per-
soos who visited him. complained that this dun
geon was an unfit place for man to remain IN.
who had but few DAYS to live, and the Sheriff,
willing to act as humanely as the law would al
low, offered to remove Clough to larger ROOM
provided he would consent to be chained. 10
this CIoueh readily consented, and he VAS accor-
dinghy placed in comfortable room, I'D inc thiro
story, overlooking the yard.
Clough had been permitted to have candle 10
his room, in order to enable him to write in the
evening. This candle, on Saturday night, pre-.
vious to being visited by the Sheriff, he placed 10
the chimney, and arranged his blanket before IL,
in such way as to hide all the beams o! the
light An iron spoon, which he probably found
in the room,-and which was not known to be
in his possession-he had converted into saw,
with which he released himself from his chains.
Having these matters all arranged, when the She.
riff retired. CIoush took his candle, and burnt
away portion Of window sill.-an ordinary
wooden frame-by which he tore away the CRATE,
making an opening Of six inches by ten, through
which he escaped, short time before day break.
His safe descent to the yard, was effected by
means of his blanket which he had torn into slips,
and converted into rope. When in the yard,
he procured two boards, used by the Sheriff to
cover celery beds. and by making kind OF
10, IN al. 10
His escape was discovered soon alter day
light, and the Jail bell being Immediately rung q
large number of citizens, amounting perhaps to
five hundred in all, assembled, and started in
pursuit. Every barn and building in the neigh
borhood was searched, and the country for miles
round secured, but untl' evening, without sue
cess. The precaution was taken to guard all the
outlets, IN every direction from the town, SO as
to render his capture, sooner or later, certain.
Clough was first seen by colored man. in a
swamp. on the Sancocas river, about three miles
west Of Mount Holly. 1t was 10 the dusk OF the
evening, and as the fugitive gave an unsai's'aeto'
nv answer to the negro, he sounded the alarm
The individuals who arrived first were Joel Hot.
linsshead, and John Mlvine, the latter resi-
dent of Mount Holly, and well acquainted with
Clough. The prisoner denied his name. said he
was going to Philadelphia, but allowed himself to
be arrested, without Offering resistance, though
he had an axe in his possession. He had on the
same dress that he wore in the prison.
On the day previous to his escape, Cloush had
purchased pound Of crackers. These were
found in his possession when arrested 1t aP-
pears he had secreted himself 10 the swamp dur
ing the whole day, and when taken he was about
pursuing his jc:ruey.by night He appeared to
be much fatigued with his exer,ions. In the ear
Iy part Of yesterday, he was tracked in the vIci,
nifty Of the spo. where he was afterwards found.
He wore square toed pumps, and the course he
took from the Jail, was plainly observable in Sc
veraI corn fields adjoining the town.
From several circumstances connected with
Clough's escape, the superstition that he was aid
ed by confpderstes. is rendered probable. In.
quries are now on foot, to slit this matter to the
bottom-Phh Gag.