New Orleans daily crescent., 1858-03-17
Hsh 0rIeans 9ailp Grsst.nt.
A Most Extraordinary Tragedy.

In the st. Louis papers we find an account Of a
most extraordinary affair In the Alton () Peniten-
tiary, which terrsnated in a bloody tragedy. The
Inteigencer furnishes the following relation OF the
circumstances
After breakfast, yesterday morning, prisoner by
the name of Hall, seyenyears' man, came TO the
Turnkey, Mr.. Crabbe. and complained of being un-
we'll In such it Is usual for the prisoner to be
locked up in his cell until he can be examined by a
physician, wen If he ia found to be really SICK he IS
sent to the hospital. The Turnkey conducted Hall
TO his cell for the purpose OF locking him up, when,
just as he was opening the door, the convict drew
sungshot, hitherto concealed and struck Mr.. Crabbe
a severe blow on the forehead, which left deep
wound, and felled the Turnkey to the floor He then
dragged him into the cell and shut the door.
A prisoner who had witnessed the affair, informed
the Warden, Mr.. Buckmaster, who repaired with as
sistants TO the spot When they reached the door,
the desperate was seen through crack to be stand
ing with upraised dirk the PROSTATE body of
the Turnkey. He warned the officers not to enter,
and threatened, in case they should approach the
door to do 80, to plunge the dirk into the heart OF
the Turnkey, whose hands were bound so as to be
unable TO make the slightest resistance. Hall further
commanded the officers to proceed to Springfield in
stantly, procure pardon from the Governor, pro-
vide him with loaded revolver. one hundred dollars
in gold and carriage. These should be handed to
him in the CELL when he and the Turnkey would
march out together he with his pistol pointed at the
Turkeys head. They together were to take pos
session OF the carriage, and drive out OF the city
and when he considered himself safe from pursuit. he
would release the Tusnkey and take care Of himself.
He that unless stringent conditions were
complied with, he would butcher Mr.. Crabbe, even
though his own life should be the penalty.
In this attitude the affair stood all day yesterday,
and up to o'clock this morning. The officers un-
willing to release the prisoner and more unwilling
still, to see the Turnkey killed, were undecided what
to do. A pardon had been obtained from the Cover
nor to be used in the last extremity. The convict
had been shot at through opening in the door but
lodged the ball. He did not sleep last night, but sat
up with the terrible dagger constantly raised above
his victim. He had been promised exemption from
punishment if he would submit. and 60 quietly to
work but he will not accept this compromise, as be
declares that they will kill him in the event Of his
cumbing.
Thus the matter stood when informant left thi:
morning The Warden, Mr.. Buckmaster, had deter
mined to end the affair way other to-day and
end the suspense The most intense excitement pre-
vailed throughout Alton last night and this morning
and the citizens declared that the convict should
escape alive. Should he appear on the street, ever
with the Turnkey under his pistol, as he demanded
he would be riddled with bullets. 81.
The termination of the affair is thus related by the
Leader Of the 10th: M 5n b .
Last evening, all other means having failed, ths
Warden, Mr.. Buckmaster had the door broken in
but the officers entered the CELL the detestablt
criminal plunged his dirk into Crabbe's heart. ant
was, moment after, ridded with balls by the en-
ragged company.