The Nevada Democrat., 1858-04-21
Terrible Tragedy in the ni,nos PsnltentIary.

Terrible Tragedy in the niinos Penitentiary.
The Alton, (Illinois) Courier, Of March 9th
gives the particulars Of desperate attempt
made by convict in the Penitentiary at that
place to escape. The account is as follows:
"a convict named Hall, from Chicago, who
is new serving cut q second term, formed the
idea OF acquiring his liberty in the following
method He watched his opportunity shortly
after breakfast, and when no ether guard was
in the hall surrounding the cells, except MIR.
Crabb, whom he knocked down and stunned by
severe blow on the head, then dragged him
into one of the lower cells, tieo Crabb's hands
behind his back, he 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 to go at liberty.
The most daring attempt was soon known,
and promptly brought Col. Buckmaster and bis
guards to the spot The convict threatened
Crabb with instant death II any attempt was
made upon the door, holding his knife within
couple of inches of Crabbs breast. For up
wards of an hour Col. Buckmaster and his
guards watched an opportunity to shoot him,
but there being bat 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. ,s|
Thus matters continued until noon, when
Crabb made some efforts to open the door, but
was Immediately cut severely in the hand by
the convict During the day the convict stated
his terms of submission to be a revolver, loaded
by himself, a full suit of citizens dress, 500 in
money and TO be driven out of town in q close
carriage, accompanied by Crabb, to such place
as he should designate; all of which were Of
course inadmissible. In the meantime, how
ever, Colonel Buckmaster procured pardon
from the Governor, to be used in his discre ton;
but up to twelve O'Clock last night no lnforma-
tion 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 declared he
would kill Crabb if he was not instantly 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 being
allowed to carry any, and had nothing what
ever 10 defend himself from any attack of the
desperado.
About eleven o'clock last night one Of the
guards got shot ut him, but averted his FIRE
upon change of positions for fear of shooting
Crabb
The entrance to the cell is very narrow, the
door of plate iron, with small grating at the
top for ventilation. The door opens inwards,
and is very strongly fastened. 1t is impossible
to get at the scoundrel without using great
force, which, we learned would be employed
this morning 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 execution, as he must know that
death would instantly be his lot.
Yesterday everything was done that could be
done consistently with Crabb's safety. No
chance would the convict give fer 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 i'll feeling to
Crabb, but had deliberately planned this meth
Cd of gaining his liberty, and would kill Crabb
and then kill himself, unless he was pardoned,
and taken out in the manner stated.
Before our readers see this account this
morning, the desperate will either have been
taken or killed."
The above account closed on Monday night
at IL o'clock A letter written on Tuesday
gives the finale Of the affair as follows:
"a o'clock this morning, Rutherford, the
State superintendent and Col Buckmaster,
Warden, undertook 10 get into the cell Of the
prisoner by stratagem. Breakfast was set at
the cell door in vessels of larger size than ordi
nary, but the convict refused to Opon the door
until the hall was cleared, which, after brief
consultation, was doae. The Warden, Super
intendent and Guards were on each side Of the
CELL but out Of sight, and metloness. The con-
vict slowly opened the door nearly enough to
admit tbs food, when crowbar was instantly
inserted. The Warden cried out to Crabb, the
imprisoned guard, to fight for his life. He ao-
oordingy sprang to the opening Of the door,
and at length dragged himself through, but not
before he was stabbed by the convict nine times,
seven times ia 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 a few minutes for
} reflection, and the rebel was, after much dodg-
ing and effort to get out Of the reach of the fire,
} shot by the Warden. The ball struck his skull,
, Just below the left ear, and glanoing around
, lodged under the skull. He fell instantly aud
: was dragged out of the cell, and was thought tc
, be dead but sooH recovered and talked as sen
7 sible as any man could under the circumstan
ces After the convict was taken out OF the
, CELL his knife, about eight inches long, with 8
I double edge, was found in the cell, and on biz
person was also found another large knife
} Crabb, the wounded guard, was Immediately
J taken to the hospital, and his wounds were ex-
amined and dressed by Williams, the prison snr-
! geon, and Allen. The left lung was found TO
be twice perforated by the knife. Tho other
wouhds were not dangerous"
At last accounts, both the guard and the con-
vict were alive, and hopes were entertained of
their recovery. ............
STRANGE CASE OF sANITY.-There is now re-
siding near Ringgold, an individual named
: Carpenter, who has been for several years la