New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-01
STEVENS, THE WIFE PO1SONER.
HIS CONSPIRACY TO ESCAPE BY MURDER
ING HIS KEEPERS.

mn d. ser,encs of death which were published IN The |
rr,,pryr xa.,sroav morning were substantially true.
The onlv mate rial error made in duplicating San
chez as deeply IN the lot az Stephens. The facts Of
,he case are that stephens having given up all hope
of new trial and escape from tue penalty of his
crime resolved 10 escape at all hazards aud 10 shed
the blood of any and all persona Standing between
him and liberty. As the day Of his execution was
near he has been allowed TO have his meals &C such
hours be chose and Of just such food he pleased
to order. He has accordingly been in the habit Of TAX
ing breakfast between ana O'Clock in the incoming,
dmper about /, and tea about half past z.
Stephens conceived the idea Of escaping at the
time this latter meal should be served to
him. Felix Sanchez, who occupied the
adjoining CELL Was let into the plot, aud after grea
deal of urging from Stephens, consented TO act part
1t was arranged that when Mr. Fnay and Mr. Cdn-
bingham, the two night Keepers should serve stephens
with bis tea, he TO Try to induce them TO unlock
the cell of Sanchez at the time, when they were
to sinultapeousy rush upon them, kill them both, re
cure the KEYS of she prison. and thus let themselves
out. In order to concoct tbs Pl4n and hold unu'er-
ruc,ed communication with Sanchez Stephens had
commenced working hole through the partition wall,
but ba not succeeded in getting through. Two re-
yolvels loaded to the nozzle had been furnished
Stephens by some friend, and by means of third
party one of these had been conveyed Sanchez On
several occasoDs, when all their plane were ready,
etepb.n, had tried TO invege the keeperntO unlocking
both cells At once but in this he thwarled, a, Mr.
Fms, orders were the contrary and he invariably
obeys his superiors to the letter. More than once,
Stephens finishing his supper, would leave Por
ton OF il untouched, and this be would send to Sau
chez but the keeper always took the precautiOn 10
lock one cell before unlocking the other. More
than a week ago, Mr.. Sutton, the Warden of the
prison, was informed of the fact that Stephens
had reviewers, by gentleman who had seen one of
them Mr.. Sutton, tnereHpOn under preteX OF having
biz cell thoroughly cleaned, transferred the cuprt 10
another and during his absence had the cell searched
for firearms. None were found at the time, although
the search revealed the hole in the wau, which bad
been made nearly through Stephens was then brought
ba k 70 his cell, having first been searched without
avail. At the first intnation of his being suspected,
he with lou0 proeststiOns, denied having arms, and
said that be did not think of making attempt 10
cape but woulo meet his fate like Sunday
mig last fixed for the final attempt bat, not being
able get both cell doors open at once, it post
poDed Stephens then resolved TO attack, and if pos
s1le lIl both the keepers himself, liberate Sanchez
and fee with him. Sanchez it appears, never had
any hiking for the job and utterly refused TO shoot Mr.
Fn'sy, who, he raid, had never injured him. On
Monoay Sanchez reented of his completely in the plan
and sent for Mr. Sutton. A. that person entered his
cell Sanchez pulled revolver from his pocket, which
was instantly seized by Mr. Sutton, who thought that
be intended to shoot him. Sanchez then said
that be simply intended 10 give it TO
bio, and hereupOn revealed the whole plot cOncocted
by Stephens and further said that the attempt TO
be mace that night Mr.. Sutton at once sent for
Sheriff Kelly aud they, together with deputy keeper
Mr. CunniDgham, entered the cell Of the desperate
man for the purpose Of searching him Me-. Seton
GATED TO the prisoner the object OF their VISIT when he
objected to being searched aud said he felt injured by
the suepicion they entertained He was told that 1T
aa their ouy 70 him, and that it useless TO
argue toe point as searched he must be. He there
upon exclaimed, If you attempt it you do so at your
peril !" at the same tune putting his hand into his
panaloons pocket. He was instantly seized by both
the Warden and the Sherf, and after brief struggle
was overcome. In bis pocket found six-shooter
Of Dean g. Adsms's patent, each barrel containing
full charge. 1t was self cooking pistol instantaneous
and deadly in ts discharge. He then placed upon
HE bed and heavily ironed, after which he was re-
moved the cell upied by Sanchez, the latter hav
ing beeB cent TO a cell higher up.
Yeste day there was a rush of visitors to the TOmbs
70 see Stephens but all denied admission. In the
afternoon several reporters and two artists for
the illustrated papers desired to obtain interview
with HIM but, although they were admitted to the
prison, Stephens utterly refused to see them. MIR.
Ne ly and Mr. Sutton spent some time with him in the
of the day. and say that he is not inclined to
converse bus looks broken down, and that his
systen very much shaken. 1t is evident that this
plan Of efecng escape has long been thought OF by
bin, and to his hopes of success may be attributed his
ealnDess Of late The detection Of his plans, and the
dissipation Of his visions of liberty, have resulted in an
utter prostratiOn of mind and body.
Before his arrest ST. phens was a jealous church
member, commitment Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and class leader. Since his incarceration his
religious professions have been loud and earnest hav
ing st least the appearance of sincerity. Much sym
patty was by this means created his favor and the
Rev. MIR. Knapp, who has been constant in his at
tendance pon him. was, at the time Of the contem-
plated murder and escape making vigorous exertons
10 his behalf He even went TO Albany and had an
interview with the Governor, and endeavored to OBJ
tain respite for the condensed man. The Governor
was far Influenced by the representations made to
aim that be promised conder the matter and 70 tee
graph sn answer to Mr.. Knapp yesterday morning.
Other influences had been brought TO bear the Gov
eror, and 1t s the general impression that he would
have acceced 10 the request for respite. The plan
of escape having been detected, Mr. Knapp saw the
Published account yesterday morning, aud at once tele
grsphed 10 the Governor requesting him 10 blot from
his memory all remembrance of their late interview
and 10 forget all the arguments he had uscd in behalf
Of Stephens Consequently it is now thought that |
there is no hope for him, but that on Friday next he
will suffer the extreme penalty Of the law. Prepare