The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-08-11

ROyOTT or THE WORKHOUSE. - Although this
is the title Of an amusing farce, real tragedy to
which il might he applied, was enacted in the
Second Municipality Worllhouse, between 4 and
O'Clock Yesterday morning Three prisoners named
John Lyons, Henry Fowler, and John Irwin, who
were in a cell together, made desperate atemptto
escape which provedsuccessful to the first TWO while
the latterl0s his life They managed by some means
TO unfasten the door of their cell and came out in
the yard, when one of the watchmen of the Work
house named Michael Queenin, while going his
rounds discovered Irwin in the act of climbing up
a plank placed against the side of the bakehouse,
by (which Lyons and Fowler had already made their
escape into the yard Of the House of Refuge.
Queenln seized hold ofthe plank and ordered Irwin
to come down, and he was obliged to jump ia the
ground, as he had not yet got within reach of the
root OF the bakery. As soon as he reached the
ground, Irwin seized Queenin and scuffle ensued,
during winch, irwin seeing an axe lying near him,
raised and made desperate blow at Queenin's
head. The latter Immediately retreated and draw
ing pistol, fired at irwin, shooting him in the right
breast. The ball passed through the right lobe of
the lungs and lodged in the shoulder blade. pro-
ducing almost instant death. While the sCuiile be-
tween Irwin and Queenin was going on, Captain
Williams Of the House Of Refuge alarmed by
the barking OF dog, and came out in the yard be-
fore Lyons had got into the street. Lyons caught
up brick and rushed at the Captain, causing him
to retreat, and allowing time for the desperate to
escape over the wall. He is now at large, as also
IS Fowler. The Coroner was summoned at an early
hour yesterday morning and held an inquest upon
the body Of Irwin; the jury merely rendering d
verdict that he died Of gun-shot wound in the
breast. The deceased was placed in the WorllhOuse
few days since as an lnCOTrlglb!e Vagrant, ana
dangerous and suspicious person He was arrested
not long since for stealing, or being concerned IN
stealing a lot Of silk goods rom the steamer Santa
Et, and at that time about one hundred silk hand
kerchetS were found in his possession. From some
cause however, which we do not now reCOllect, he
was not prosecuted on this charge and was pTOWl-
ing about the town until his last commitment; he
was well known to the police as dangerous and
desperate fellow When the prisoners left their
cell they left the following efilsion upon d sla.e
which shows that they We're certain Of escaping
Your bolts and bars are strong and fast,
But We Will now escape al last,
Nor ask your leave 10 let US pass"
Waterman Queenn yesterday made an affidavit
before Recorder GOlding setting forth the ciTcum-
stances Of the case, and stating that he considered
his life in danger when he fired at the prisoner Irwin
An investigation of the case took place last eve
ming before Recorder Golding, the Mayor and AT
torney General ElmOre being present. 1t was
proven that the prisoners escaped, and that Irwin
was attempting TO escape at the time Waterman
Queenin found him in The yard. All the witnesses
testified that Irwin a very powerful and despe-
rate man. and that he has been committed to The
Workhouse three different times. The prisoners
got out of the room in which they were confined
by prying up portion Of the floor, and digging out
through the foundation Waterman James Ryder
testified that he was in the Workhouse yard at the
time the affair occurred; that he heard loud words,
and when he got near the place where Qunenln and
Irwin were, saw them in a sCule, heard the report
of a pistol and saw Irwin fall. Did not see IRWIN
have any weapon in his hand. That portion Of the
story about Irwins having an axe depends entirely
upon Queenin's statement Watchmau Ryder ties
tiied to the good character of Queenn, and stated
that he is a very quiet and peaceabe man. DR..
Bein testified that from the appearance of the
wound the pistol must have been very close to IT.
wins breast when il was fired, the place where 1he
BAH went in being very large, and the shirt of the
deceased buried. The officers Of the Workhouse
testified that the watchmen Were permitted to carry
arms at night. The evidence was very yoluminOus
and we are unable to give it all. Queenin was re-
turned before the First District Court the charge
of manslaughter. Bail $1,000