Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-12-15
Obio Statesrrlrar.
THE FENEANS.

=
tCELL-How HE MADEHIs EXIT FROM PRISON.
dublin (Noy. 2D COrrespondence London Herald q
have been to Stephens cell, aud over
all the passages of his escape. He could
| not possibly have escaped without the aid
of one or more accOmplices. After leaving
his cell, the paddock of which had been
opened by skeleton key. he had to pass
through about eight locked doors, all OF
which he or his aiders left opened, except
one, which was relocked to prevent pursuit.
From the lunatics' dining7room two tables
were carried across the prison-yard to the
wall bounding the Governors garden, and
placed one over the other, which only reach
ed to about six feet of thewall, which is
twenty feet high, SO that etternal as well as
internal aid must have been employed.
There has been great excitement in the city
during the day. Three of the doors had two
locks. There is no clue to the hiding
place of the fugitive. gs ... a
HOPES OF HIS cAPTURE-soME OF STEPHENS
sHl ANTECEDENTs. iF
[From the London Times, November rs
The Head Center of all the Fenians of
Ireland, Mr.. James Stephens, alias Power,
who was apprehended onlya fortnight ago,
has Just escaped from Richmond Prison,
probably by the connivance of some of the
prison officials. As the Government has
offered El,000 for his re-capture, and E300
more for information, he will probably be
soon again in custody; but the event is
likely to cast suspicion on the fidelity of an
important body of men, and to increase the
caution with which the Irish Government
deals with these troublesome conspirators.
Stephens, who has been raised by the Fem
ian authorities, or has raised himself, to the
office and dignity of chief of the republic
can plotters, was, we believe, originally
connected with Mr.. Smith O'Brien, and
learnt treason in the school of the rebels of
1913. He has, however, only emerged into
history since the scheme for making Ire
land independent by American aid has been
formed on the other side of the ocean. AS
man endowed with more than the usual
Fenian education, he took the lead, and at
tained at once the high position which. un-
less he succeeds in making his escape from
| Ireland altogether, Is likely to give him an
unpleasant pre-eminence in punishment.
But for the present he seems to have batfled
! Justice. While the lawyers of the Queens
| Bench were discussing the question of a
certiorart at length which encumbers our
columns, Mr.. James Stephens moved a
more effective certiordri himself and post
poned his trial before the Special Commits
sion by the simple eXpedient Of breaking
prison. We have as yet no means of know
ing how he made his escape, and how far
any one at the Richmond Prison is connect
ed with it. But Mr.. Stephens is man Of
such ability and resource that he would
have no difficulty in taking advantage of
any favorable disposition on the part of a
turnkey, whether it arose from political
sympathy or readiness to pocket bribe.
The Fenian eXcheQuer has been so flourish
ing, owing to the prosperity and enthusiasm
of the brethren across the Atlantic, that any
reasonable number of sovereigns would no
doubt be forthcoming. ItnOw remains for
Mr.. Stephens, having made his escape, to
avoid a second capture. The reward offer
ed for his apprehension will make the chase
after him very hot, for it is not often that
in any country prize of El, 300 is held up
before the eyes of the police. But, to Judge
from his past exploits, he is quite capable
of giving his pursuers some trouble. 1t is
related that on the night of the seizure of
the Irish People he changed his appearance
with peculiar readiness, and procuring a
pair of crutches, made his way to "a place OF
shelter. This was Fairfield House, Sandy
mount, which he occupied under the rame
of James Herbert. 1t had been furnished
with much elegance, no doubt out of Feni-
all luGuS Jue RdTucll anu RIeellOuSe WtTO
complete, and twelve pounds worth OF
plants were purchased from neighboring
nursery on the very day of the capture.
The preparations of the police for taking
him and his companions were very elabor-
ate, but it turned out that the work was
much easier than they expected. They
entered well armed, with pistols in their
hands, but Stephens thought fit to submit
quietly, and was arrested with Messrs.
Kickham, Duffe, and Brophy, who were all
in bed at the time. The work has now to
be done over again SO far as Stephens is
concerned. He has probably not got far
from Dublin; indeed, the most reasonable
supposition is that he is lying hid some-
where in the city, and will there continue
until he thinks the storm of pursuit is
blown over. 1t is superfuous to suggest
that there should be strict inquiry into
the mode of his escape, and the alleged
completely of some one in the prison. Such
an offense by person in the employ of
Government is most serious and should be
punished with all severity. 'f