The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-21
Police Intelligence.

AUo. 20-Imporfanf Arrest of Burgiars-Captan I il
and Lawrence, arrested yesterday two desperate
characters called John Adams and John Johnson whom
appears escaped from the State prison ate haresown
Massachusetts, the 2ist of July last. We give the
following narrative from the disclosures made by John
son, which we know to be true from other crcumsan-
ces corroborang his story. 1t appears that Johnson
under sentence Of three years and four months for
grand larceny and Adams sentenced for ten years
capped with thom by the name of Whitehouse who was
likewise under sentence Of term Of years for highway
allowed to work IN the Kitchen and do The white wash
ing along the corridors of the prison and the cells Of
these three adjoining each other consequently an
intimacy took place between them and Johnson was the
man deputed to aid in their escape; consequently
false key fitted to the cells the iron DO saw
by Johnson substituted in its place the next plan
was how to get out Of the prison when leaving their
cells Johnson forced an aperture through
some wood work on the upper story Of the prison
the sky light and neatly blocked the hole again
and white washed the place, making IL all alike but
movable at pleasurethis all done by johnson at
various times when the keepers imagined he cngag
cd in repairing and while washing the prison. All these
been collected by johnson from time to time, under pre-
tencc Of making line along the corridor to white wash
rope was ' WE , S hr" Inv " -,
escape through to lower themselves down to the outer
wall They finally concluded to make the attempt on
the 2st OF July last and usual the keeper at
o'clock the morning unlock the kitchen prisoners
prepare breakfast johnson therefore let and
passing by the cell Of Adams he Intentionally dropped
his bucket which fell down by cell door at the same
time the false key he unlocked the door, the noise
of the falling bucket preventing the keeper hearing
turn Of the key. They then proceeded to the upper
story and lowered themselves down by the aid OF
the rope on TO the outer wall and escaped The rope
broke when the last descending and precptated
him down some twenty feet bruising him consider.
ably The step they tookbeng all in their pris
dresswas to proceed to the house Of friend Of Adams.
who furnished them with change Of clothing and off
they started for New York; travelling only BY night,
and having no money, they were compelled from ne
cessity to procure s0d in the woods in the day time
fear Of detection On arriving at small place called
Woburn, they burgsriously entered store and stole
three caps and also entered dwelling house and pro-
cured old clothing and food and then when near
retreated again to the woods The next store
that cnts red by them at place called Ashland
about thirty miles from Boston, the route to Worces
ter, where they stole three pairs Of boots, several
handkerchief, food. and various other articles Inc
same night they took from of the grass plat as they
passing along three shirts belonging TO iamer
help to make up their wardrobe. When they arrived az
Worcester, whitehouse LEFT them and went east ne
having some friends living in that direction ADAMS anu
johnson continued their towards new ofk anu
after entering houses along the road 10 procure
food they next entered the dwelling house OF Mr..
Jones' residing at place called southingtcn Ct and
there they met with prize. for they carried on large
quantity Of silver ware consisting OF silver knives and
tcrks spoonA, silver cups &c, amounting to between
Saoo and $500 After the robbery, the silver was di-
vded between them and they proceeded their journey