Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1849-02-24
miscellaneous.
Extraordinary Escape of Man Con-
demned TO be Hanged.

In Scottish miscellaneous work, we find
an account of the extraordinary case of Pc
ter Young of Aberdeenshire, who escaped
from prison on the second day before he was
10 have been executed II appears that Peter
was found guilty of robbery in the first de-
gree, the penalty of which in those times
WAS death on the gallows. Peter was an in
genious and agreeable fellow, AMI was
known by almost every body. During the
few weeks which were permitted to elapse
between his sentence and execution, his cell
was thronged by persons of every degree
who commlserated his fate, and would have
aided him to escape. Public exc utions al
ways took place Oh the Friday, being the
market-day. Upon the previous Wednes-
day, when the jailor came TO enquire if he
wanted anything for the night, Peter sprung
upon him like tiger, took the keys from
him, and said If he would remain quiet, he
would not touch a hair of his head. He
had been for some time at freedom from
his irons, having sawed them through with
the handspring of a watch which had been
brought hm by some of his friends. He
commanded the jallor to lie down upon his
back, and with dreadful imprecations swore
shat II he II he moved finger or toe, and
especially it he looked out nj the window,
hC WOhih HiNldti nun bl iUt spun. Ut
Jailor was well aware Of the kind Of man
he had to deal with and was therefore com
plant. After thus settling matters with the
Jailor, which occupied five or six hours, al
IA time of night when every thing appeared
quiet, Peter went down stairs and inform
cd his fellow prisoners what he was about.
IL SO happened that there were great mum
Der then IN the prison mt Aberdeen. lie
had all the keys, and showing these was
sufficient hush-money. When he thought
every thing was prepared, ut one O'Clock he
went himself TO unlock the outer door but
unfortunately for him, il was bolted on the
outside. This for a moment staggered him
but no time was 10 be lost--no exertions
spared. In a state of fearful agony and
desperation, he threw his immense strength
upon the door, aud il yielded 10 the impulse
aud flew open. la the old prison of Aber-
deen there was always soldier on guard.
Peter seized his iirelock, aud made him ac-
company hum, until he set every prisoner
at hherty. lie was the last that went out
himself Having lacked the door, aud left
the key IN the lock he delivered the fireock
to the sentinel, ond ran OFT
There was at that time "A great deal of
snow upon the ground. Peter was well ac-
quainted with every devious path IN the
country he needed nobody TO pilot him.
According 10 his own account, he tore off
the skirts Of his coat Immediately upon
leaving the prison, and made all the speed
he could to the hlly country, or what is cal
led the head of Aherdecnshire lie had
travelled about thirty-iour mites, and being
quite exhausted, Jay down To sleep. Sir Ed
ward Zimmerman aud some other gentle
men were out on sporting expedition, and
their dogs made dead set at Peter, who
was lying on the snow fast asleep. Sir Ed
ward knew Peter perfectly, aud according
TO the statement OF some, bad been one Of
The Jury that condemned him. They bound
Peter and cent an express To Aberdeen.-
The Magistrates ordered that he should be
sent 20 town under a strong guard.
by this time il was FRIDAY morning the
gallows was erected and every thing pre-
pared for the execution but IN going up
the Shiprow, attended by great mob, some
person called out, "Petor, deny that you are
tho man p The provost council, sc. ex-
amlncd him. Peter said he knew nothing
about such a man as Peter Young; he new
er heard Of hirl; his own name VAS John
Anderson; and he wondered what they
meant 10y making such leark about him.
Though he was as well known in Aberdeen
as the provost himself, Yet none could be
found TO identity him. lie therefore escap-
cd being hanged at that time, aud was sent
10 Edinburgh, where, after short delay,
aud the necessary examinations, the untor-
lpnate man was executed. John Young, his
brother, was hanged at Aberdeen Tor the
murder of n cousin ia 1901 the whole fam
lily, indeed, consisting OF seven brothers, be
came victims of their own unrcgulated pas
sions, aud OF the law of capital panish- /
ment.