Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-04-15
From the U.ica IN. " Her aid, Aprils.
Attempt 10 Escape from Jail-A
Brave Woman.

S'SSh sNSh 1890
messenger Game to Jailor Baker, in the jail
at WATERFOWL, with the intelligence that L
prisoner named Spencer Wilson was aick.
and wished Sir. Baker to bring him some
medicine. Mr.. d. did not hesitate 10 at
tend the Prisoner, and brought him a drink
calculated to alleviate his pain. While Ar.
Baker was holding the cup for the con-
umma:e villain TO drink for Wilson was
feigning his illEess) thee other prisoners,
nam ed Eddy, Ward and Missile, stole S yly
into the cell in their stocking feet Mr.. BIS
back being toward ,hem) and seized him,
bore him to the ground, beat him terribly
about the head, and ABUSED him shamefully.
Ohe Of the wrctches stepped Gil the throat
OF the PROSTATE %jailor, while the three 9TH
ers proceeded 10 gag ana bind hIm-not,
however, until he had made sufficient noise
to awaken his wife, who, brave woman!
seized a revolver, and stationed herself al
the outer door leading into the hall, where
she calmly awaited developments.
Meantime the villains had picked Mr..
Bakers pocket of his wallet, and the prison
keys, and locking him into the cell, coolly
proceeded to prepare for departure, consider
ing themselves now "al! hunk" as the
phrase is. They picked up their sachels,
which were carefully packed, flung their
coats on their arms and proceeded to the
outer door for the purpose of taking leave.
What was their CONSERVATION on loUking
through the hule IN the door, and beholdihg
leveled directly at them an ugly concern
with six holes in the end of it, and a little
white finger calmly resting on the trigger,
"Adv nee one sIep into this hall" said the
delicate, but firm voice, sand you de-
The villains quailed. Come on" said
Mrs. Baker, "but "the first man who steps
from that door | will shoot" This was
more than the fellows hat bargained for
But one Of them was cool and impudent.-
'.Pshaw!" said he, "yoa don't know how TO
shoot it." "Yes | d." said Mrs. Baker, Il
have been practicing this long time; ii you
don't believe it you can make the trial.
The fellows were completely bsfled. They
retired for consultation. With a refine
ment Of devil ~ worthy the arch fend, they
returned with the intelligence that Mrs.
Baker might take her choice-either to see
her husband" brains knocked out, or TO re-
tire and let them pass out! Here indeed
Was a fearful trial! What did the brave
woman do! She quaileG not for an instant
her eye relaxed not its vigilance--her
finger trembled not on the trigger-ihere
she stood pointing the deadly weapon
through the iron bars of the hall before the
door, and repeating her warning to the viii
lains not to come for ward a step. as they
valued life! We challenge history to pro-
duce an example of more glorious herDism
on the part of a woman!
A messenger had in the meantime gone
after help, and it soun came in the shape of
S me Of the most r~eso!ute ard hardy men
in WATERFOWL, who speedily relieved the
little woman from her guard, drove the pris-
oners back into their cells, and set matters
rights"
The four men are now in chains. They
are named H. D. Eddy, in for grand larceny
at Watertown; Oliver Missile, in for a,temp-
ting to commit a rape in Rutland, Law
renee Ward, in for burglary in Wa:ertown;
and Spencer Wilson. in for burglary in
Clayton. -Four more heaven defying and
wretches probably Jefferson county
boasts not; at least we hope so!
Mrs. Baker is a small, slim woman, with
very expressive features, in which courage
and firmness are displayed IL the keen, clear
eye. and the r~esolute lines about the mouth.
asked Ler if she would really have shot
The men, had they disregarded her warning.
She SAID most certainly | would! Wouldn't
you!"