The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-03-13
The Tragedy st Alton.

A most singular event in prison life oc-
Cured in the Illinois State prison at Alton
on Monday last. 1t appears that convict
named Hall, from Chicago, who is now serv-
ing out a second term, formed the idea OF ac-
curing his liberty in the following method
He watched his opportunity shortly after
breakfast. and when no other guard was IN
the hall surrounding the cells, except Mr..
Crabb, he knocked him down and stunned him
by a severe blow on the head, then dragging
him into one Of the lower cells, tied Crabb's
hands behind his back, fastened the cell door
by means Of stick of timber, previously
put in the cell by scme confederate, then drew
a huge knife from his bosom, assisted Crabb
to rise, put him against the door, and threat
encd him with death, unless he was allowed
to go at liberty.
This most daring attempt was soon known
and promptly brought guards to the spot.
Tho convict threatened Crabb with instant
death if any attempt was made upon tho
door, holding his knife within n couple of
inches of Crabb's breast. Forupwards Of an
hour his guards watched an opportunity to
shoot him, but there being but one opening
in the door. and that small, he kept Crlbb
constantly between him and the opening, 80
tina. 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 severely in the hand by
the convict. During the day the convict
stated his terms of submission to be revolv-
err, loaded by himself, a full suit Of citizens
dress, 800 in money, and to be driven out Of
town in q close carriage, accompanied by
Crabb, TO such place as he should designate
which could not be granted All day tho
guards were on the watch to shoot the scoun-
drel, but ss he had positively declared HI
would kill Crabb If he was not instantly
killed himself, great care had to be taken, fo
fear he might put his threat in execution
Crabb had no arms whatever, the yar'
guards not being allowed to carry any, ant
had nothing whatever with which to defen'
, himself from any attack of the Desperate.
lie kept the guardmen in this uncomforta
] bic posiston from Monday till Tuesday morn
: ing, when the Superintendent Of the priN
: attempted stratagem to get into the eel
Breakfast was set ut the cell door in dishes {
largo size in order to compel him to ope
;, wide the door, in order to procure it. The cor
= Wet refused to touch it till the hall was er
: tirsly cleared. The guards pretended to re
La L.. of III a,,I La
e The convict slowly opened the door ncarl
70 enough to admit the food, when crowd;
Of was instantly inserted. The warden erie
>, out to Crabb, the imprisoned guard, to fgl
:. for his life. lie accordingly sprang to Il
opening of tho door, and at length dragge
l. himself through, but not before he ras stabb'
!! ythe conrict nine times-sertn times an &
10 back and tVics an the arns. When tho po
a victim was dragged out, the convict BARR
y. the door again and refused to yield. lie w
then given few minutes for reflection, al
. tho rebel was, after much dodging and effol
q 10 get out of the reach of the fire, shot By &
it rardsn. Tho ball struck his skull just b
o low the left ear, and glancing around, lodg'
&c uuucI luc bhuli. AlO iSii ihcS"hbiy ohN J"
dragged out of the cell. and was thought
be dead. but soon recovered and talked
Of sensibly as any man could under tie circur
q stances. After the convict was taken out
the cell, his knife, about eight inches Ion
with double edge, was found in the &c
" and oil his person was found also anoth
d. large knife, with blade four inches Ion
J. Crabb, the wounded guard, was immediate
of taken to the hospital, and his wounds we
=. examined and dressed. The left lung W
found to be twice perforated by the kn
'e The other wounds were not dangerous. AT
" his wounds were dressed he felt quite col
ID Portable and conversed very freely. I
to physicians consider his case very critics
c. and that the chances are much against
s, recovery.
! The convict and his victim were be
= alive on Thursday, and 1t was supposed tn
=" would both recover.