Washington sentinel., 1855-03-21
YotaI ann Dsrsunal.

Escape from Jsii.---On Monday night, be-
tween eight and nine o'clock, two of the prisoners
effected their escape.
Al that time, Justices Morsell and Birch were
investigating, in the jalors Office, the charge OF
poisoning made against Della Hazel and others Of
her household Mrs. Classy Williams and several
persons beside, being the victims.
Awaiting themselves of the temporary absence
Of the guard, whose eyes were turned toward the
scene Of The examination, and the attention which
the case excited. Umberfeid and Murphy took
hasty leave Of the prison premises.
Those fellows had obtained possession OF piece
Of saw blade, with which they cut the iron box
which covered the bolt Of the door Of their cell
ngeniousy filling the crevices caused by the saw
ing with soap,t to avert the least suspicion intend
ing, when gil their plans were matured 10 force
away the box. This must have been their work
on the Sabbath. They likewise partially cut an
iron bar their window, SO that it might easily be
removed by means of piece of board, which was
made use Of as lever. BY these contrivances
they were enabled TO reach The yard, on the north
side their cell being on the first floor. The next
movement was to scale the wall, which act was
as successfully accomplished. Drawing up the
iron sucker-rod Qwenly feet in length ofthe pump,
they wrapped round il a rope made Of a bed tick,
previously prepared; and thus were enabled to
climb to the coping, eighteen feet from the ground
The remainder of the perlormance-getting into
the street-was then easily effected.
There were two other persons confined in the
cell with them, but they remained behind, proba-
bly, glad thai their desperate companions had re-
solved to unceremoniously depart. Umberfeld
and Murphy who were provided, each, with .
revolver threatened to shoot the other Two ifthey
gave any alarm, which had the effect OF intimida-
ting them.
How the convicts procured their saw, and pis-
tolls, Is secret not yet explained.
In the course. OF fifteen minutes from the time
of the escape, the jailor and several Of his assist
ants, together with Deputy Marshal Phillips, and
members off the day and the night police forces,
were in search of the fusitives; Mr.. Hoover, the
marshal, taking charge OF the Jail meantime.
While some ofthem proceeded tothe aqueduct and
the Rockville road others fastened toward Bla-
densburg and Alexandra, with a view to prevent
the selfliberated prisoners from leaving the city
In an article, yesterday morning, we referred to
the insecurity Of the jail and the escape TO which
we have above alluded may be mentioned as
proof in support of our assertion.
Umberfeld and Murphy had recently been SEN
fenced 10 imprisonment, one year each, for knock
ing down man, in open daylight, and robbing
HIM, in the vicinity ofthe Presidents House.
Soap and DissolvIng Views.-After the ex-
hbi,ion o, Odd Fellows Hall, the other night, OF
|" Dssoving Views" the spectators severally pre-
scented their checks to the janitor, who gave each
OF them, in turn, little box; il having been ad-
verised that valuable gifts" were in some Of the
eigh, hundred boxes previously provided, accord
ing TO the programme. Such an opening Of boxes
was perhaps, never before seen ia this meridian;
men, women, and children being thus engaged.
Although several valuable articles, Including :" a
splendid gold watch" valued at the extraordinary
sum Of thirty-fve dollars were dispensed, the
larger number of.adventurers obtained several
cents worth Of soap; an article that never has
been scarce in this metropolis. We heard man
say that two dollars were invested by members Of
his family in the speculation, and that they all got
soap
They who returned home with the cakes Of the
compound of oil-acid and potassa, realized in their
disappointed hopes "dissolvins views" of glitter
ing prizes.
" How are you off for soaps" is a question
which may now be answered to the inexpressible
delight Of all who enthusiastically believe that
cleanliness " is next to godliness"
Army Appointments.-In the list of appoint
ments and transfers TO the four new regiments,
recently authorized, appear the following;
Tenth regiment Of infantry, raemen frs, lieu
tenant Henry C. Maynadier, of the District of Co
lumbia; appointed second lieutenant February %,
1852, first artillery; active service Indian from
tier. First commissioned, 1852.
Second lieutenant in the same regiment, Law.
renee A. Williams, Of the District OF Columbia;
appointed June %, 1854, fourth infantry; service
on Indian frontier. First commissioned, 1852.
Second regiment Of cavalry; first lieutenant,
Alexander II. Cross, Of the District OF Columbia;
formerly first lieutenant voltigeurs; distinguished
at battle Of Chepultepec
Second lieutenant in the snme regiment, John
T. Shaaf, Of the District Of Columbia, appointed
second lieutenant June Q, 1853, sixth infantry;
active service on Indian frontier. First commits.
stoned, 1881.
-
Juvenile Convict.-In the criminal court,
yesterday, youth. aged about sixteen years, was
tried and convicted Of attempting to break into the
hardware store OF Mr.. Linthicum, in Georgetown
several weeks ago. He had drilled holes in the
door, and, through the aperture thus produced,
inserted his hand for the purpose OF removing
the bolt or fastening. While in the act he was
discovered and arrested by the watchmen.
Judge Crawford sentenced him to Imprisonment
in the county Jail for term of three years, the
shortest period, we believe, for such an offence.
The youth is Of genteel appearance and has an
intelligent countenancc.
The mere announcement OF the criminal act,
the arrest, the conviction and the sentence, in
connection with the age OF the offender, is sub
jcct suggestive Of deep reflection. AT The time
when his prospects ought 70 be the brightest in
life, they are, alas! obscured by the gloom of
prison.