Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-12-21
Fenlan Troubles I'm Ireland Head
Center stephens Is cape.

LEIOm Tine DuDAiM n Ecemhu SOuTuhA.I
The escape of Stephens is one of the
mort remarkable, and, at the same time
instructive and suggestive events that
have occurred in connection with the
Fenian conspiracy. That his escape
was the result OF treachery there is no
longer any doubt, and that the treachery
was aided by the omission or due pre-.
caution on the part of the authorities, is
no less plain. The prison was, in fact,
for hours in the hands of the Head
Center and his accomplices, and the
only matter of surprise is, that ell the
prisoners as well as their chief, we're not
liberated by those who used the master
key with such effect fgg
At the time Stephens left by the
southwestern gate of the prison, it was
raining in torrents, and blowing nearly
a full gale from the southwest There
10 no doubt of bis having left the Jail
about half past one o'clock, and at that
time, on such q night, in all probability
he did not meet soul save q stray
policeman, who would take NO notice Of
a gentlemanly looking man who walking
rapidly for town. The only rumor
which bears the semblancs of probab-
ility is the one which has been gen.
orally circulated, that Stephens, after he
reached town on the morning of his
escape, met his friends by appointment,
proceeded at once to the neighbor>
hood of Howth, where he got on board
q fishing smack that put to sea
before daybreak without exciting sus-
picion. If this course was adopted it
was a practical one, as the wind and
sea, though very heavy, were off the
shore, and there would be nothing easier
than for the smack (Which belongs to a
most westherly class of vessels) to get
into the class of long-seagoing ships,
and put Stephens on board one of them,
or perhaps on board a vessel that was
lying. to, waiting for him. 1t should be
borne in mind that Stephens and his
friends knew to the hour when he could
be released, and knew it in all probable.
ity for n week before his escape was
effected. Under the circumstances.
there ia every reason to'beiieve that the
plans of the conspirators did not only
embrace the release of Stephens from
prison, but were all matured and arr
ranged for his. safety when he regained
his liberty. Among the other flying re-
ports Ia one that Stephens contrived to
get away to France, and to be in time
for the mail steamer leaving Havre this
day for America. This rumor, we need
not say, is purely absurd, as, if Ste
phens was able to adopt the shortest
routes and quickest modes of travelling,
he could only barely reach Havre this
day. We do not mean to say that he
will not land at some French port if he
can reach it; but one thing we are sure
of-that he could not reach Havre this
day unless he exposed himself to all but
certain capture. ...-....
All the friends and associates Of
Stephens are closely watched, and men |
In all kinds of disguise are out in search |
of information. 1t is stated that the de-
tectives have found ont the craftsman |
that made the duplicate keys from the |
moulds he was furnished with, and which |
we're the means of libsrating Stephens.
IF this clever locksmith is found out he
can tell by whom he was employed, or
who gave him the moulds from which he
had to work. According to the state
ment of the prisoner, Mcleod, who is
1ow undergoing q sentence of two years
for the robbery of iewelry,
and whose cell was between that of |
Stephens and KickhArn, 1t appears that
Whsn tbs psrson lot Stephens out Of hia J