Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-02-01
to Murder Tive Of the Keepers Of
the CITY Prison

nmes Stephens and Fsiir Sanchez. the Conspir-
ators, both ConrietS, armed tcith Sir-bdrreIed
ReroirerS-7he Villains seized and disdrmed-
A hole diseorered cut tn the toaH Of Stephens
eeH-Ihsn plans Of escape, etc.
EARLY last evening most important discovery
cine to light at the City Prison, which bad not
tf facts become known, there 10 not shadow Of
dubt but that, In all probability, the lives Of two
o. the keepers or night watchmen at the Tombs,
nned Finley, ard another whose name we could
ut ascertain, would have been sacrificed and
murdered before assistance could be rendered
TEN. The desperate plot was one which, from
a accounts, would have resulted in instant death
both the keepers, and the escape of two Of the
onvicts, James Stephens and Felix Sanchez. Ii
Jill be remembered that stephens IS the man
onvicted of numbering his wife, by admi nj lister
ig poison, and is to be hung on Friday next.
lelix Sanchez is a Spanish negro, convicted OF
nurder BY killing his father-in-law, Mr.. Gus
ore, in Sullivan street, about fourteen months
go. Both these prisoners occupy cells adjoin-
ng, the ground floor of the prison, and at
lines have had opportunities of conversing to.
tether.
1t seems that Stephens is supposed to be the first
zig natof of the plot, by which he had hoped to
ave secured his liberty and that of Sanchez.
about two weeks ago he considered the idea that
al hopes of pardon would be useless and he ac-
>ordingly set to work to derive means to secure
ais freedom. With the aid Of friend he divulged
lis scheme to Sanchez, whom 1t appears heartily
Joined in the conspiracy. and soon all their plans
were made to execute their murderous purpose,
u,
|certained, to carry out the deadly work For some
thine they were unable to decide what wea pons
Ishould be used; but finally, at the suggestion Of
Stephens, revolvers were agreed upon. they being
the most effectual Accordingly Stephens under
took to secure the weapons, and by some mea ms at
present unknown, but no doubt through the help
of third party two revolvers, loaded each to the
muzzle, were placed in their hands, without the
knowledge OF the wardens or any Of the deputies.
1t that it has been the habit of the keepers
to give the above prisoners their suppers after the
remaining coRvicts had been locked up for the
night, and it at this time that the attempt to
carry into effect the plot was to be perpetrated
Stephens was the minute the keeper opened his
cell door, to step out and shoot him dead, and
then to kill the other keeper in the same manner;
lie was then to procure the KEYS and release San
chez, and if posi- BILE liberate themselves
II, however, in some way became known to the
Warden Of the prison, Mr. Charles Sutton, about4
o'clock yesterday afternoon, and he at once took
prompt steps y foil them in ther bloody purpose.
MIR. Sutton communicated the fact to Sheriff Kelly,
and these two gentlemen, with two others. one a
Mr.. Cunning ham, keeper forthwith proceeded
to the cells OF the prisoners They called Stephens
to his cell door, after opening it, and ordered him
to submit to being searched. At this announce
ment Stephens seemed greatly surprised but put.
ting on an air of firmness, demurred, and said he
thought it rather hard that one whose life was Sc
short should be subjected to being searched. OF
even suspected of having any such designs, and al
the same time being apparently very indip nant
This plea was, however, Of no avail, and Warden
seized him. finding that he would not allow them
to search him quietly. AS soon they took hold
of him he made desperate struggle and resisted
with all his power, but finally be was thrown Il
the floor, and while four held him upon his back
the other searched his pockets AS was suspected
In one OF his pockets was found siY-barrel re.
volver. heavily loaded. When it was taken out
Stephens gave up, and hung his head, knowing
full well that it was now all day with him. He
said nothing, but was Immediately handcuffed by
Mr.. Cunningham, and locked up in another cell
They then proceeded to the cell of Sanchez, anu
demanded him to give over the pistol hs had in
possession which he instantly did, producing
like revolver, loaded TO the muzzlc
Both Sanchez and Stephens Were then taken Il
a dark cell on the fourth tier, handcutf.d, and
safely secured. That the plot was frustrated i;
no fault of Stephens his desperate character ID
too well known to admit Of doubt but that had
he got out Of his cell his escape sure. Or
searching Stephens cell hole was discovered
partly made through the side wall between his
cell and SancheZs; it was hid by the bed and
some cigar boxes. How the secret leaked ou
has not been ascertained, but it is presumed thai
Sanchez became alarmed and squealed ,, The
only sure way of escape for the prisoners had
they been successful in killing the two keepers
were to procure the keys pass into the courtroom
OF the special sessions, thence into the Fire Mar
shal's office, and, opening the outer door al! the,
had to do was to scale the iron railing, and they
were free. There is no doubt but some of Ste
phens friends were In waiting during the mig ht
to aid them in their hight.-N Y Herdid Jan 81