Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-03-30
Horrible Tragedy at the Alton Peniten-
 tiary.

To the Alton Courier of Tuesday morning we ire indebted for the following particulars of one f the most singular and terrible tragedies ever .nown to have occurred in the whole country. | The Courer's account of the circumstances was | losed on Monday night at 12 o'clock. The | peciaI dispatch to St. Louis Democrat, giving | urther details, and the results of the tragedy, | was received at St. Louis at a late hour on Tuesday night The Alton Courier says:
 One of the most singular cases which ever came under our observation, or in our reading occurred yesterday morning at the penitentlary in this city.
 A convict named Hal from Chicago, who is now serving out second term, formed the idea of acquiring his liberty in the following method. He watched his opportunity shortly after break fast, and when no other guard was in the hall surrounding the cells except MT. Crabb, whom he knocked down and stunned by asevere blow on the head, then dragged him into one of the lower cells tied his hands behind his back, fast ened the cell door by means ot suck of timber, previously put in the cell by some confederate, then drew a huge knife from his bosom, assisted Crabb to rise put him against the door, and threatened him with death unless he was allow ed to 90 at liberty.
 This most daring attempt was soon known, and promptly brought Mir. Buckmaster and his guards to the spot. The convict threatened Crabb with instant death if any attempt was made upon the door, holding his knife within a couple of inches of Crabb's breast. For up- ward of an hour Col. .Buckmaster and his guards watched an opportunity to shoot him. but there being but one opening in the door, and that quite small, he kept Crabb constantly between him and the opening so that he could only be reached through Crabb's body
 Thus matters contiued until noon, when Crabb made some effort to open the door, but was immediately cut severel Y ln the hand by the convict. During the day the convict stated his terms of submission to be revolver, loaded by himself full suit of citizens dress, SlOO in money, and to be driven out of town in a close carriage accompanied by Crabb, to such place as he should designate; all of which was of course inadmissable In the meantime, however, Col. Buckmaster procured a pardon from the gover- nor to be used ill discretion: but up to l2 o'clock last night no information of it had been given to the convict.
 All day the guards were on the watch to shoot the scoundrel, but as he had positively de- clared he would kill Crabb if he was not insant- ly killed himself, great care had to be taken, for fear he might put his threat in execution. Crabb had no arms whatever, the yard guards not be- ing allowed to carry any, and had nothing what ever to defend himself from any attack of the desperado.
 About II o'clock last night one of the guards got shot at him, but averted his fire upon change of position for fear of shooting Crabb.
 The entrance to the cell is very narrow, the door of plate iron, with a small grating at the top for ventilation. The door opens inwards and is very strongly fastened. It is impossible to get at the scoundre without using great force which we learned would be applied this morn- ing, unless he should be shot during the night. During the day great fears were entertained that he would kill the guard, and for fear of that active operations were not pushed forward Those best informed think there is now very little danger of his putting his threat into execu- ton, as he must know that death would instant ly be his lot.
 Hall, the convict, IS represented to be most desperate scoundrel. In view of his character and threats, our citizens were much alarmed for the safety of Crabb, who Is well known and highly appreciated, and who has family resid- ing lu the city.
 Yesterday everything was done which could be done consistently with Crabbs safety. No chance would the convict give for any injury to himself, as he either studiously kept the guard between him and the grating, or laid down against the door, and out of the reach of shot, He professed to have no ill feeling to Crabb but had deliberately planned this method of gaining his his liberty, and would kill Crabb and then kill himself unless he was pardoned, aud taken out ill the manner described.
 Before our readers see this account this morn- ing, the desperate will either have been taken or killed. h either event it is to hoped that Mr. Crabb will not be injured.
 Special DSuatch to the Missouri Democrat