The Winchester home journal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1858-03-18
Horrible Tragedy at the Alton Peni.
tertiary.
tertiary.

To the Alton Courier Of Tuesday morn.
ing We are indebted for the following
particulars OF one OF the most singular
and terrible tragedies ever known TO
have occurred in the whole country. The
Couriers account Of the circumstances
was closed on Monday night at - o'clock.
The special dispatch to the St. Louis
Democrat, giving further details, and the
results Of the tragedy, was received at
ST. Louis at late hour on Tuesday
night. The Alton Courier says:
One of the most singular cases which
ever came under our observation, or in
our reading, occurred yesterday morning
.! the penitentiary in this city.
A convict named Hall, from Chicago
VINO is now serving out second term,
formed the idea Of acquiring his liberty
IN the following method; He watched
his opportunity shortly after breakfast,
and when no other guard was in the hall
surrounding the coils except Mr.. Crabb,
whom he knocked down and stunned by
severe blow on the head, then dragged
him into one Of the lower cells, tied his
hands behind his back, fastened the cell
door by means Of stick of timber, pre-.
$ously put IN the cell by some confede.
rate, then drew huge knife from his
bosom, assisted Grab to rise, put him
against the door, and threatened him with
death unless he was allowed to 20 at
liberty.
This most daring attempt was soon
known, and promptly brought Col. Buck.
master and his guards to the spo;. The
convict threatened Crabb with instant
death If any attempt was made upon the
door, holding his knife within a couple of
inches Of Crabb's breast. For upwards
Of an hour Col. Buckmaster and his
guards watched an opportunity TO shoot
him, but there being but one opening in
the door, and that quite small, he kept
Cfabb constantly between him and the
opening, SO that he could only be reached
through Crabb's body.
Thus matters continued until noon,
when Crabb made some effort to open
the door, but was Immediately cut severe.
ly in the hand by the convict. During
the day the convict stated his terms of
submission to be, revolver, loaded by
HIMSELF a full suit OF citizens dress, 500
in money, and to be driven out OF town
in close carriage, accompanied by Crabb,
to such p ace as he should designate all
Of r,h; ,r,, or
In the meantime, however, Col. Buck.
master procured pardon from the Gov.
vefnor, to be used in his discretion but
up TO | 2 o'clock last ight no informa.
ton of it had been given to the convict.
All day the guards were on the watch
to shoot the sounded, 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 into execution
Crabb had no arms whatever, the yards
guards not being allowed to carry any,
and had nothing whatever to defend him.
self from any attack of the desperate.
About | | o'clock last night, one of the
guards got shot at him, but avcrted his
ire upon a change Of position, for fear
Of shooting Crabb.
The entrance to the cell is very mar.
row, the door Of plate iron, with a 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 applied 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 in.
formed think there is now very little dan.
ger of his putting his threat into execu.
ton, as he must know that death would
instantly be his lot.
Hall, the convict is represented to be
a most desperate scouadrel. In view of
his character and threats our citizens were
much alarmed for the safety of Crabb,
who is we'll known and highly appreca.
ted, and who has family residing in the
city.
Yesterday everything was done which
could be done consequently with Crabb's
safety. No chance would the convict
give for 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 ll.feeling to Crabb,
but had deliberately planned this method
of gaining his liberty, and would kill
Crabb and then Kill himself, unless he
was pardoned. and taken out in the man.
ner described.
Before our readers zee this account this
GoIning, the desperate will either have
been taken or killed. la either event it
is to be hoped that Mr.. Crabb will not
be injured.