The native American., 1837-10-07
.es From the rhllaaelpaia Enqulrcr.s


at this time, if with other view than that of guard
ing the community against his future efforts. Many
of readers doubt Iecolect, that IN the early
part Of the year 1929, city thrown into stale
of excitement and confusion by the escape OF Ii pris
oners from Walnut street prison. They had succeed
ed in saving away the oar of window fronting on
the street. Among these prisoners was the man in
question, by name Jock Smith. Ofthe whole number,
Smith and another Scotchman by the name Of M Cum
Der were the only that euded the search then in
stituted, and Smith was looked upon as the mos.
dangerous of the set, reward double i'm amount
than that offered for the Others, promised for his
apprehension. Jock was however TOO crafty for the
police, and their efforts TO recover him were unavang.
lie left the state, and until within The last three years
wandered about the western country, occasionally
working, and occasionally pursuing his old predarao
~ habits.-He was detected in stealing horse, and
under an assumed name was sentenced to the Eastern
Pententiary fol three years, which time expires on
the 18th day Of Sept.
The whole history of the man is fraupht with crime
and his name has graced the criminal docket five or
six times within the last twenty-five years. He is
native Of Scotland, and is supposed that he fed from
his native land TO avoid its severe injustice. In per-
son he is large and heavily moulded. He has good
sized head and face, and hazel eye, in which sim
lister expression can be aced. His face is slightly
pockmarked. His ordinary address is bland and mild
and the peculiar information Of his voice would impress
casual nearer with the dea that he heard the torres
of benevolent man, whose breast teemed with the
his look is sulen and forbdding, and instances have
occurred when he has exhibited an appalling ferocy OF
demeanor. His chief Characteristic is craftiness and
IT is question whether in all the moods of temper he
has exhibited he has only been actor and aap
ted his manner 10 the peculiar circumstances Of the
situation in which he was placed.
About twenty years ago Jock Smith was sentenced
TO The Walnut street prison for burglary. As pri
soner, his outward conduct orderly, yet he was
known the of all the sly schemes of escape
nttoys nptnh
to engage in riot within the walls, and shuned every
thing like insubordination. He had too much cunning
not TO know that an attempt to break with high hand
would result in the defeat of the prisoners But any
sly and stealthy plan in which he could engage his
fellows while he remained concealed as the protector
OF assistant. found ready help with Jock. On the oc
cason Of tho murder Of Harry Powell in 10, and the
riot which ensned In consequence, Jock had cunning
enough 10 side with the authorities and by appearing
to aid one ofthe inspectors who was dangerously plac
ed in pele me, he found favor with the Board and
was pardoned on condition ofleavng the United States
his condition he did not comply with, and in very
little while numerous and daring burgIares atesed his
industry and enterprise in his vocation He was again
arrested tried and convicted in the Quarter Session for
larceny and sentenced to three years Imprisonment;
and the subsequent Court Of Oyer and Terminer gave
him sentence for life for burglary
Jock patiently awaited the Termination of his three
years sentence, and then appalled, for reversal Of his
other sentence on the ground of its Illegally. In this
al emotion began to suuse his face and he seemed to
exut In the prospect of his delverance more on ac-
count Of having trcked justice, than for any hope of
enjoyment from his Liberation. But justice called cum
ng 70 hei aid, and while the question Of reversal was
pending, three four dormant bills of Indictment for
burglary were revived and witnesses were prepared
and ready at the stand in the sentence for life was
declared illegal. Alas for the hopes Of Jock! cunninu
as ne was he found to his that in con,ending with
rhiaoePhla lawyer Scottish craft had its match.-
nd fpf
ment, and this time flaw could be found in the law
or Indictment and Jock set his wits to work to make
flaw in the iron bars of the prison To do this eec.
was necessary he should be unsuspeced and
ior length OF time there was not orderly, bland
soft spoken and industrious victim to the laws within
the walls Patient he was, and apparently pursuing
his ordinary avocaons without thought of eve AGAIN
breathing the air Of ibery but all this time his brain
was seeihing with plots and plans of escape one of
which he pat into successful operation.
The night ofthe Goth Of February, 1929, found our
hero ready with his means and appliances, aud the Gle
ments seemed in mood peculiarly kind to the moons
mnlons, as they kept up such an uproar that coca
sion, that even the slumbers Of the weary watchman
Were between a s.sleeping thought and waking
Dream, state eminently adapted the scomprehen-
ion of vagrant men, The wind roared-the rain fell
and avalanche after avalanche Of snow, slipped from
ihe roofs OF the houses with laundering echo to the
q ound beneath.
Jock with his accustomed craft had not only made
provision for his escape, but had taken especial care
to avoid duplicating himself in the event of an unsuc.
cessful termination TO the attempt. He had engaged
in the adventure, two daring rogues, who took upon
themselves the responsibility of the act, and he lad
furnished them with eleven small saws, which he had
brought to the room concealed in stick of common
irewood.
The room of which Jock was appointed captain,
contained sixteen prisoners. 1t bis province to
keep ORDER and to report any act of nisbehavior on
the part Of its inmates. To the great CONSERVATION of
the majority, the momentthe prisoners were locked up
and the keeper had left the hail. the two men selected
by Jock drew their knives, and declared their inten-
ton Of achieving their liberty and threatened instant
death to any who offered to betray them. A watch |
placed at the door to give notice of the approach
of the keeper, and operations were commenced upon
the bar of the window. Jock pretended not TO be in
The secret, and exhibited as mnch dsmay as was an.
parent on The countenance of the most tinid He re.
monstrated, eApostulated, and detailed the conse.
quences of failure and detection. He was answered
by oahs and mprecaiions, and with gestures of vo-
lence with the knife; was it until the first bar was
cut through, that he evnced any participation in the
affair. The simple sentence which fell from his ps
at that moment, the work gangs on weel opened the
eyes of his room mates TO the fact that their captain
the master spirit, and that his conduct was fent
shield himself, should the keeper surprise Them be-
fore the work completed. To keep up the farce.
the workers now approached him and threatened in