Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-05-28
Escape of John Hale.

Z from information since obtained, that he
did escape In February. The statements
aud inuenjocs Of the Argus in regard To the
cOnduc, Of the Warden Of the Prison, have
brought out reply from him, giving all
the facts in the case. Tho following is the
substance Of the document
John Hale. Of Waterford, Me-, aged G7 4,
convicted Of larceny. was imprisoned Dec.
II, 1886. for term Of six years, while Mr..
Bennett was Warden OF the prison. en-
ploycd Hale as one Of the cooks FOR the
prison. who from his age and good conduct
seemed the least liable Ia take advantage Of
the facilities for escape, which u Afforded Ia
that class OF conylcts, owing 10 the business
in which they are engaged, being on duty
during the evening, when the outside guards
are in the prison, aud having the privilege
Of going about the yard aud prison, without
being accompanied by the guard.
Hale escaped from prison On the cr,ning
ot February l0th. about : . O'Clock T..
NJ was notified OF his escape In about u
minutes after il took place some little time
was spent in searching the quarrics. a. some
Of the officers at the prison cunJciured iruln
remarks that Hale had previously dropped,
that be- might have committed suicide by
drowning himself in the lime quarrie., which
are inside II the prison yard. In the mean
time ordered one of the officers 10 pas.
round the walls on the outside 10 $50 " he
could find any clue to his escape. In max
ing the search be found board on the out
SHE ~ the wall, which Hale had taken from
a pile in the yard, placed IL asain', the
wall. climbed up on IL, and then drew 4
after him. using i, 20 &c, down ON the oppo.
site side. lis tracks lay IN the direction OF
the toll bridge. which j. southeast Ut the
prison. Accompanied hy five Others ] pro-
ccodcd after him with all possible Dispatch.
When we arrived at the toll bridge, the per-
s1n in charge informed " tha, man passed
over the bridge about thirty minutes pre-
yious in great haste-runnine his toll sup
posing this person must BE- Hale dispatched
four men % con,inu, the search, which they
dl nearly al night. although the weather
was very cold. Hale escaped on Wednes.
DAY night. Thursday was - intensely cold
that bat little effort was made o. rriakr him.
On FRIDAY and saturday | employed pr.
sons o. scuur the eastern part Ut Lincoln
county from Rockland % Marlborough (;
and on the following Monday cent man
as far East ~ Bangor, on the shore ruAd,
Who. hy INV direction, made d,llgcnt search
fpr the escaped prisoner. 1t Bangor be
c,llci on the City Marshal and tie Police
officers. giving them a description oi. Hale,
ard directing them 20 arrest him, ~ any
Irr.nn that might answer his description,
and take him to the Jail in Bangor. NJ there
wa, person there who knew Hale and
would identify him The olhcer | employed
returned home by the back route. through
the country, using every cGnrt 70 ferret ou'
the runaway. but without success. wrote,
Likewise, To- Sumner Burnham of Harrison,
and Jonathan Blake Of Norway, Shrrli' IN
tho.c towns, IT, arrest Hale II be- made his
appearanc, Ia that vicinity. and would pay
the expense. have written ihrce or Tour
letters since that time a. Mr.. Burnham OF
Harrison. To use all dilgcnt I'll 1T. 70 secure
the arrest II ll,lo and return him u the
prison In the last communication which
! revived in rrply from Mr.. Burnhnm, be
stated that Hale had. a. near as be colld
learn. escaped into Massachusetts,. again
wrote g. him. 10 fullos Hale and secure him
II possible ;, much tor the charge that !
suffered Hale % escape " m op'H ddy,' or
have tailed 10 u.s. all proper means that the
eI,srncy of the case demanded 10 have him
arrested and returned 90 prlsnn.
IL j. true, ! issued ~ handbill-, nor did
offer any reward for llalc's apprehension
a. | deem quiet measure, Tar more rhcctual
IN such cnscs than NOISE and buster.
The ridiculous statements in reference 10
the gn.l watch. which, IL II asserted, was
smuc.lrd into the Prison in \ stocking and
wa. u.cd not only asa brihe 10 corrupt me
bot likewise the Governor and Council
tor IL seems, according to the statement OF
this suspicious lib,ler, the Executive and
his Council are pariiCrp' crtmirS with mo
in turning an inmate Of the State Prison
los, upon the cnmmunity-is as false and
h4sclcss - his other charges. Hale brought
odd watch with him To the Prison bat
whether concealed or openly know not,
as Mr.. Bennett was Wardsn At the time,
Al the time took charge Ut the Prison
Last year, this watch was IA the hands Oi
the hand. ~ the Clerk ut the Prison, where
such property, whether consisting ofwaich-
-, money, notes. or any other yaluablcs, u
usually deposited. The watch which Hale
brought 81 Prison Is still here, and | hold
myself responsible Tor It's safe keeping, un.
al the expiration Of his term OF imprl.on.
mcnt, when 1t will b. my duty TO hand It
over 70 hun or his legal representative, or
my successor ia Office. a. the law requires.
The statement is signed by Thomas W.
Xix, Warden and confirmed by Samuel III.
Allen, Contractor Samuel Bradshaw, De-
putty Warden Asa Perkins, Clerk and
Comm Alexander Mcintyre, Guard VII.
liam II. foles. oversecr George III. lrgra-
ham, Guard Edwin r. Morse, Guard Or.
mand +. Jameson. Guard.
Hale has been arrested in New Hampshire
ior Horse stealing, and is now IN jail at
Dover.