The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-02-04
The Plot OF Two Murderers in
New York to Kill their Keepers
Snd EScane


We have heretofore announced the discov-
cry, in the New York city prison, last Mon
day afternoon of diabolical plot, in which
two condemned murderers-Stephens and
Sanchez-were the principal actors. 1t ap-
pears that the scheme to kill the two night
watchonen and thereby secure the prison
KEYS, originated with Stephens. He divulged
it to Sanchez, who, it would seem, heartily
Joined in the conspiracy, and all preliminary
arrangements we're made to carry into exc
cution their murderous purpose on Monday
evening. 1t is supposed that third persons
friend of Stephens, while visiting the latter,
has conveyed messages to Sanchez on the
subject, and returned his replies to the
wife poisoner. The New York Express gives
the following additional particulars:
It seems that on Sunday week, a gentle
man, whose name has not been permitted to
,ranspire, went to the office of Mr.. Sutton,
the W arden of the Prison, and informed him
that Stephens was armed with two revolvers
certainly with one, as the gentleman had
seen it.
On this information, Mr.. Sutton, with prop
inform ed him that,as he had but a short time
to live, and many of his friends were calling
on him, it was proper to have his cell put in
order. for which purpose he had Stephens
removed to another cell. 1t was then that
the hole which had been made in the wall
was discovered.
The vacated cell was thoroughly searched,
but no revolver was found. Stephens himself
was searched, but it appears that the search
was Intellectual, as the weapon, though not
then found, was discovered afterwards, con-
cealed in the leg of his trousers.
On Tuesday last, Mr.. Sutton went to Ste
phens, and spoke kindly to him about some
hard things he had said about him Mr.. SUIT
tony and some of the other officers fthe pris-
on telling him that, as he was about to die,
he should not leave the world with i'll feeling
against any one. To this Stephens replied
that he had made up his mind not to die like
dog, but to meet his doom like mau.
The Warden had given strict orders, know
ing the dangerous character OF the men, for
the keepers never to have the cells of Ste
phens and Sanchez unlocked simultaneously,
and these orders were implicitly obeye On
Sunday night last, however, after Stephens
had partaken of his supper, he requested one
of the keepers, Mr. Finlay, to take away the
things, and hand in what he had left from
The meal to Sanchez-thinking that both
calls WOUiu fiaNo beCu SIMULTANEOUSLY i6IC
open, on which both he and Sanchez could
ssljy out, shoot both keepers, and effect their
escape. Mr.. Finlay, however, was cautions,
and on removing the things from ono cell he
cook the precauton to lock that before he
~peped the other. Besides, he was always
armed with u self-coeking revolver, to be
adv for any emergency.
On Monday, Stephens was very solicitouS
that Mir. Finlay should enter the cell, and
taye that with him,-an invitation which
the officer prudently declined. Towards
evening, MIR. Sanchez sent q message, request
ing to see MIR. Sutton, who forthwith pro,
ceeded to the cell of the condemned man, land
asked him what he wanted. Without max
jpr any reply, Sanchez drew six-barrelled
revolver from his pocket, which MIR. Sutton
INSTANTLY grasped, exclaiming, "what do you
intend to do with thatH"-To this Sancnez
Iyplied.-"I intended to give it to you"
that's all right" rejoined Mr.. Sutton, who
look the pistol. Sanchez then revealed the
,shole plot, which was, that on the keeper
entering stephens cell that night, with his
supper, stephens was to shoot him and the
cher keeper. secure the keys and iiberate
SaacAez, when both Of them were to let