The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-04

go, .--S,s n that sbey belonged TO reg
uiefiy olRsbSa gasg OF scoundrsls who had devised
system OF characters for secret correspond
ence, ana outward signs for secret recognition The
.Sos Oh Their correspondence consisted in substi-
tS.pg tne secona or third letter OF the alphabet for
me one they intended 70 use; and it was by this
means that the ssme Of Barnes were decphered,
ano the tnree brothers arrested and finally convicted
Aer tneT conviction and previous to their transfer
the county Jail, but were finally rscantnreS and
lodged in the ktate prison.
Just previous to their departure from the county
jail this Archibald Barnes began to show symptoms
Of insanity and when he arrived at the penitentiary
preten cd to be q raviDg maniac; and for several
weeks, successfully did he practise this imposI-
ton, keeping up insane appearances, and refusing
food unless forced into his mouth, that he deceived
not only the physician but most Of the officers OF the
prison; and On the recommendation Of the physician
was transferred by the Governor to the Lunatic
Asylum. Here he playsed his part with equal sue-
cess for some ten days or two weeks, until he had
projected his plans, and finally escaped BY forcing
the bars Of grated window, getting out Of space
which no one would suppose full grown man could
90, and, letting himself 70 the ground by tearing up
his bed clothes and forming rope, he effected his
escape.
A reward Of enc hundred dollars was offered for
bis arrest and delivery At the Ohio penitentiary but
ior less time he eluded his pursuers. It seems
that ne was secresed in Cayahoga county, among
scms dAagree nent took place among them, and his
friends, supposing that the reward was five hundred
dollars betrayed him into the hands Of the police,
ana ne was again gain lodged within the walls Of the
in.snisy, and was put 70 work IN the plate shop,
ding bride bits and stups in the charge Of Georee
h. Wright. For several weeks he behaved himself
billets to his brothers, planning means Of escape.
His erss epsto was written on common letter paper
and in plain English, and developed perfect and
cunning plan Of escape: From this time he was
even more closely watched, but was soon again de-
tectsd in writing to his brothers. He would tear out
the blank leaves OF his Bible and other books given
him to read by the Chaplain, and then in COM
pound Of stenography and photography, wrote to
possible compass in q little packet resembling .
country woman's garden seeds, with string round
il. This he managed to convey to . place desig-
mated TO his brother-but fellow prisoner, to whom
he had divulged his proceedings, exposed him, and
the plot was exploded, the letter found, but NO
one could deciPher its contents. 1t was shewn to
several stenographers, but none could read it. II
ined, and found to be written in perfect characters
OF photography and stenography, but 80 arranged
that without the key no one could decipher it.
About this period Barnes became afflicted with
the fistua, and was permitted to visit the hospital
every other day, for medical treatment, having
certain number Of minutes to be absent In October
last, by some means, from all that be learned,
and from his own cones Ons since, he obtained part
of citizens suit Of clothes from of his accom-
pices who was prowng about the city, through Q
convict who worked in the state yard. At that time
there were great many teams hauling In timber for
contractors-workmen repairing the timed roof Of
the halls, and masons and carpenters ut work inside
the prison. Disguised as a teamster, without coat,
and an old cloth cap. with whip stock and pair OF
names in his hands Barnes passed the inspection Of
the officer in the guardroom and escaped.
He had taken the passboard to go to the hospital,
but had gone directly TO cell at the lower end OF
the hall, where the window is darkened by the hos
pital building, and there changed his dress, and O
few PAGES In front OF large number OF visitors walk
ed out. A similar escape was made when Medbery
was Warden, the convict airing of the clothes Of
the clerk
reward Of $500 was Immediately offered for his
arrest, and every effort made to capture him, with
out success short time since, information was 10
ceived by the Warden that said Barnes was in jail,
ct Laporte, Indiana, on charge Of passing counter.
felt money. Mr.. Watson, the Deputy Warden feel
ing great desire to have the rascal back in the Ohio
penitentary, prevailed on the Governor to issue Q
equisition for him. that he mi yht be brought back
I'd thus give the officers another chance to keep
i'm.
On arriving at Indianapolis he found that he hsd
been sentenced and conveyed to the Ineiaua penten
tary. Here he hesitated about what to do; but the
Governor gave him up, and he had come up the river
as far as misunderstanding him all night-and
had him at the depot for the seven o'clock train to
Columbus, and had telegraphed for the Steward to
meet him 1t the depot at one o'clock. Barnes was
heavily ironed and Mr. Watson felt perfectly secure
OF his safety. AT the depot tickets were demanded
before he was permitted TO 60 aboard the cars, and
leaving his prisoner in the hands of person who
promised to watch him, he stepped to the ticket
office, distance OF few PAGES, and procured his
tickets, but when he returned Barnes was gone
There was large crowd Of people about the depot
land IN the hustle some confederate of Barnes, who
It 10 believed followed him from Jacksonville hur-
RED him into hack, and drove him off, no one could
tell whittier. Persons saw Barnes, a& listed BY
get into the hack the stranger shut the
door, and the carriage move off. Alarm was instant
given-poce put on the track bills Offering $500
for his arrest $50 for any information Of the hack
which carried him of, but without SUCCESS And
rom that time nothing has been heard Of him. Mr..
Watson will double the reward for his apprehension
and delivery at the prison.
While in jail at Laporte, Barnes feigned insanity,
and was at one time successful, and succeeded In
making his es APE, by saving off jost with case
knife hacked like a saw-bu was afterwards no
taken. He is one OF the boldest and most adroit
villains unhung, and it is sincerely to be hoped that
he may yet be brought to justice.
Accident on the Cleveland and Cincinnati
Ra1rrond