Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-03-25
Horrible Tragedy.
The Alton Courier saws ::

The Alton COurter says:
"One Of the most singular eases which ever
came under Our observation, Or III our reading,
occnrrcd yesterday morning at the Penitentary
in this city.
A convict named Hall from Chicago who is
now serving second term, formed the idea
of acquiring his liberty in the following meth
od lie watched his opportunity shortly after
breakfast, and when no other guard was IN
the hall surrounding the cells, except Mr.
Crabb, whom he Knocked down ami stunned
by a severe blow on the head, and then dag
ged him into one of the lower cells, tied Cra'b's
hand behind his back, fastened the cell door
by means of stick of timber previously put
in the cell by some confederate, then drew
huge knife from his bosom assisted Crabb to
rise, put him against the door and threatened
him with death, unless he was allowed 10 90
at liberty
This most daring attempt was soon known,
and promptly brought Col Buckruastrr and
his guards to the spot The convict threaten
ed Crabb with instant death if any attempt
was made upon the door, holding his knife
within couple inches of Crabb's breast. For
upwards Of an hour Col Buckmastcr aud his
guards watched an opportunity to shoot him.
but there being but one opening in the door
and that quite small he kept Crabb constant
fy between him and the opening, so that he
could only be reached through Crabb's body.
ALTON, March 9, s l-2 O'Clock P. VI At
nine o'clock this morning Rutherford, the
State Superintendent, ard Col. Buckmaster,
warden, undertook to get into the cell of the
prisoner 10y stFatagem. Breakfast was set at
the cell door in vessels of larger size than or
dinary, but the convict refused to open the
door until the hall was cleared, which after
brief consultation, was done. The warden
superintendent, and guards were Oh each side
of the cell, but ont of sight and motionlcss
The convict slowly opened the door nearly
enough to admit the food, when q crowbar
was instantly inserted The warden cried ont
to Crabb, the imprisoned guard, to fight for his
life. He accordingly sFrang to the opening OF
the door, aud at length dragged himself
through, but not before lie aoas st0dbe3 By tie
conrict nine times, Seren times IN The back and
twice on the arms When the poor victim was
dragged out the convict barred the door again
and refused to yield. He was then given few
minutes for reflection, and the rebel was, after
much dodging and effort to get ont of the reach
IF the fire. slot by tie ,rlr9sn The ball struck
his skull just below the left ear, and glanc-
ing around, lodged under the skull. lie fell
instantly, and was dragged out Of the cell, ami
was thought to be dead but soon recovered
and talked as sensible as any man could under
the circumstances.
ALTON, March 10, 6 O'Clock P. NJ
Crabb, the guardslnan is much better, but
not yet out of danger. Hall alias Lindslev,
the convict, is no better, but may possibly sur
Vive
The Alton papers confirm the statement
published in the Press yesterday.
The Alton Courier of the Ith adds
That Hall had confederates he admits, hut
the number of their extent of their participa-
ton, previous to the daring attempt of Hall,
has not yet been ascertained. 4 rigid iryes-
tigaton will he made, the results of which will
10y before our readers
Upon the convcts the moral effect Of this
defeated attempt of Halls must he of the
salutary description. They now see that not
to save the life of an innocent aud worthy man
would the discipline of the prison bc violated,
and will restrain the most violent from any
attempt of the kind in future Had Halls de-
mand been complied with every conr;ct in the
prison would have been derising some scheme
to obtain his liberty probably ending in Il gen
eral revolt and the death of several innocent
men and many guilty ones The lesson was
important, aud vii! doubtless be duly ppre-
cated
The taking or killing Of single man, how
ever powerful and well armed, looks like an
easy task but when it is recollected that ev-
cry movement had to be made so as, if
possible, to save the life Of Crabh, the case
was one of unusual difficulty. The plans Of
the warden and superintendent were well con-
ceived. and carried out with as much prompt
ness and decision as was possible. Every pos
sble regard was had to the safety of Crabb,
of delay
HAIL died on Saturday morning, l4th inst
For sixteen hours previous to his death he
was paralyzed and insensble From the time
when he was shot till he died paralysis made
slow but certain work upon. His two confed
rates, the convicts who have been missing
since the calling of the roll last Friday evening
were found on Wednesday. 'fhey had dug
hole some sic feet deep in the loose earth un-
derneath the dining-room floor, and so closed
the entrance as to almost defy detection -
When found, they had supply of provisions
with them, though almost perishing for water.
They were absent six days and it is supposed
they never left their hiding place.
SIGSs OF THE TIMEs.-The city of Bangor.
the second city in the State of Maine, which,
until within two or three years, was a strong
hold of the f0cofoco party held its muncinal