The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-05-25
A BOLD ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE FROM THE
MASSACHUSETTS, STATE PRISON

MuNRoE EDWARDS BE.rES.-We have been in
formed says the Boston Mail, Of late attempt made
| by of the conycts at Charestown TO escape
which for boldness and ingenuity puts Munroe Edward,
completely in the shade. convict named Granville
Rich, under sentence for several arcenes appears
amorg the missing on Thursday evening when
the prisoners were called out from their several
workshops for review, and although every part Of
the yard was searched, no traces Of him could be
found.
In the next morning papers "a reward of fifty dol
lars was offered for his apprehension, aud private
expresses seat to all quarters of the city. The ouy
clue to his my sterous escape a long pole. ils-
tened to one of the pickets of the fence, which wa,
discovered IN the early part of evenng-stilI, with
this almost convincing evidence that he had passed
the guard, and cleared the enemies country, it was
generally believed that he still hidden in the va
| and that the pole placed for the purpose of af-
iordng proof of his escape, that the guard who pro
nenade the prison wall might be drawn of at the
usual hour.
This theory proved to be earnest one for the
guards were still ordered TO keep their places and
watch with both eyes open for the appearance Of The
fugitive. On Friday, late at night they heard some
one creeping along near the fence-they listened
with almost breathess attention for some time but
could discover no human form In about ha On
hour after the broke through the clouds in an
its beauty and discovered the prisoner who had ar
rived where the hoop-Pole placed, the very point
where he intended TO scale.
The officers gave the alarm-poin ed their guns,
u
with this movement the prisoner threw msell down.
aud cried out" knew should be caught /, was a
foolish act, and have already repcnied Of IT," lie
was taken into custody and placed in one Of the sol
itary cells.
The plan Of his temporary escape was this lie
was cooper by trade, and worked in the shop de-
voted TO thai branch Of business. lie continued by
piece meal TO remove Of the boards under h.,
workbcnch, and dig hole 10 the ground large
enough 10 hide himself with room left 90 work
in Under the board he fastened an IRON CLASH l.,
which he was 10 hold the board down and prevent if,
removal and It was believed that he had been occu-
pied for months, at different times m making these
preliminary arrangeme1's
As all was finished, and fitting time had arrived
be slipped into the hole, having placed some hits Of
iron and rubbish which he might pull over the board
when he got into his hiding place. Then he placed
the board over as usual and no one would have su.-
pectcd his concealment Here he remained all Of
Thursday night, and all day Friday and at night
when he thought all quiet, and the pursuit given
over he got into the yard and attempted 10 scale the
walls
On looking into his solitary cell the next day be
was discovered hanging 10 The wall by the neck be
was immediately taken down fortunately in time TO
resusctae him. This prisoner, we learn, has already
passed six years in prison, and has still five years TO
serve a convict.