New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-03-15
HORRIBLE TRAGEDY At THE ALTON
IENIIENTXARY.
From The 81. Loua D.mOe,st Mao. 10.

From The ST. LOVis DsmOeyst Asr,AJo.
To TIE Alton Courier Of yesterday morning NV
indebted for the following particulars of ore Of Tie
most singular and terrible tragedies ever hpowD "
have occurred in the whole country TIE Cesrers
account Of the circumstances wss closed On MOalsy
night st II o'clock The special dspstch to this sEss
giving further details, and the results Of the uses
MAS received at late hour last night. The Carr
says: t frrrr. .e3
One OF the most singular case which ever esse
under our observation, or in our reading, secur~
yesterday morning at the penitentisry in this eitE
serving out second term, formed the idea Of sgar
ing his liberty In the following method. H gsxhed
his opportunity shortly after breakfast, and uAsa n
other guard Was in the hall surrounding tbs exA ~
cept Mr.. Crabb, whom he knocked down and As,sA
by severe blow on the head, then dragged l6a ito
one Of the lower cells, tied Crsbbs hands bsAsl 10
back, fastened the cell door by suesss of sstxkd
TIMBER previously put in the cell BY some eonsdsf
then drew huge knife from his bosom, assisted Csse
to rse put him against the door, end tbressehed 10
with death, unless be was allowed to 10 at liberty.
"Ihs most daring attempt vas soon kkoSn, I'd
promptly brought Col. Buckmaster and his gnsrdsn
the spot. The convict threatened Crsbb win irtak
ing lis knife within . couple Of inches of CRAZE
breast. For upward Of an hour Col. Backmssswssd
his guards watched -sn opportunity TO shoot hin NJ
t aus SsIE but sns SPsSbSs n the door I'D
and the opening, 50 that he could only be rssssa
Thus matters continued until noon. when Crsbs
made some effort TO open the door, but wsS insS
oiitely cut severely In the hand by the convk Du.
ug The Gay the convict stated his tors Of subasec
to be revolver loaded by himself, fun I'll; u eit
zeDs drets, $lt0 in money, and TO be driveaczs o.
town IN close carriage acc npanied by CrsSA 70
such place as he should d,sgnate; all OF which vss
q course nsdmssable.f In the mean time, h0weya,
Col. Buckmsster procured pard 70 from the Cover
nor to be used at his discreion but up 70 IL ocoS
last night DO information Of It he'd been given 20 ~
Convict All day the guards or the watch TO shod
The scoundrel, bat ae be had POSITIVELY decisrsd
would kill Crabb If he WAS not instantly l~ied bin
self, great had to be taken for fear he nigh. pG
his threat in execution. Crabb had no arms Whist
ever the yard guards not being alo ved 70 carry asJ
and bad nothing whatever 10 defend himseh from 81
attack Of the desperaoo. .. I'D.
"About II O'Clock lsst night one Of the xuasds 81
Q shot a, him, but averted bis fire upon q chssgsk
position, for fear Of shooting Crsbb. y . -
"The entrance to the cell 10 very narrow, the 6eofa
plate iron, with small grating at the top for sssn
fastened. II is Impossible TO get at the seour6d
without using great force, which we learned wosh
applied this morning unless he should be sho 6ensg
the night during the Cay great fears we're sstsf,,
tanned tnst ne woula XII the guard, and for sss
that, setiVe operations were not pushed fcrwes-
Those best informed think there il now very Lite Or
ger OF LIS putting his threat into exec or Us 10 DsS
know that death would instantly be his LOT.
Hall, the convict, is represented 70 be moa ~
Perate scoundreL In view Of his character And "a
threats our citizens were much alarmed for the ssy
OF Craob, who il well known and highly sppreis;s''
ana VINO mas family residing in the city. IN.
:, yesterday, everything ives done which coeS "
dcne consistently With Crsbb's safety. No sEsacs
would the convict give for any injury to h;nsei -
ne ether studiously kept tho guard between hin
me grating, or laid dewn against the door, asa ea. y
The reach OF shot. lie professed 20 have no AZ 80
ing to Crabb, but had deliberately planned his eetseo
Of gaining his liberty, and would Kill Crsbb add css
himself unless he was pardored and taken GA: 70 '"'
manner stated. -
Before our readers this sccoua: teis m1IHnf
the despeysdo will either have been taken " k.'ss'