Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-03-20
Tragedy in the Alton tIllinois) Penitenti-
arV

AT the penitentiary in Alton, Illinois on Mon
day morning, desperate canyict named William
Lindsey, alias Hall, from Chicago, who was SER
wing out second term in the prison, attempted
to secure his release. Shortly after breakfast,
he fcigncd sickness, and was to be locked up
until the doctor could he summoned. Only ore
Of the guar |, Mr. Cralb was in thc hall .lr-
rounding the cells. lie was knocked down with
slung shot by the convict, who bound his aims
behind him, dragged him into his cell, and lock
ed it, Crabb was placed against the grating of
the door, by the convict, who was armed with
long knife, and threatened with instant death if
he moved, or if any attempt was made on the
door. Col. Buckmaster, the warden, and his
guards, were soon on the spot, and for long
time watched an opportunity to shoot the VII
lain, but he kept Crabb constantly between him
and the small opening in the door. consequent
ly he could only be reached through Crabb's
BODY
About noon, Crabb made some effort to open
the door. but was 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 full suit of citizens dress. 500 in
money, and to be driven out of town in a close
carriage, accompanied by Crabb, to such place
as he should designate; all of which were Of
course inadmissablc. All day the guards were
on the watch to shoot the scoundrel, but as he
had positively declared 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.
About nine O'Clock on Tuesday morning, Col
Buckmaster, warden, undertook to get into the
cell by stratagem. Breakfast set at the cell
door, but the convict refused 10 open it until
the hall cleared, which. after "A brief consul
tation, was done. The warden, superintendent
and guards were on each side but out Of sight
The convict slowly opened the door nearly
enough TO admi, the food, when crowbar was
instantly inserted. The warden cried out to
Crabb 10 fight for his life. He accordingly
sprang to the opening of the door, and at length
dragged himself through, bm not defore he iras
stabbed Gy the conrict Seren GDies ia the back and
t,rice on tie d,ms. When the poor victim was
/ dragged out the convict barred the door again.
He was given few minutes for reflection but
refused to yield, and was, after much lodging,
and efforts to get out of the reach of the fire.
/ shat By the ,rdr{en. The ball struck his skull
just below the left ear He fell instantly, was
dragged out and thought TO be dead, but
soon came to, and was living on Wednesday
He admitted that he had confederates. His
knife, about eight inches long, with a donble
edge was found in the cell, and on his person
was found another larger knife, with blade four
! inches long. Crabb, the wounded guard, was
Immediately taken TO the hospital, and his
wounds examined The left lung was found to
be twice perforated. The other wounds were
not dangerous. 1t was thought he would rocov-
er.
! The Alton Courier SAYS Had Halls demand
/ been complied with, every convict in the prison
would have been devising some scheme to OBJ
tain his liberty, probably ending in general re-
volt. The lesson is important, and will doubt
less be duly impressed
1t would perhaps, be unjust to make any an
imadyersons upon the conduct of the penitenti-
ar! officers. But, from the fact now before us
it seems that more might have been done to save
the life Of the unfortunate guardsman, Crabb.
Why not have agreed to every demand the vii
lain made, and then have shot him down like
dog? Surely promises exacted by such
wretch under such aggrayating circumstances
are Of 10 moral force.