The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-10-19
The Hollisterville Robbery ---Escape o1
the Prisoner.

JQe frlSOueI.
We copy the following additional par
ticulars of this horrible affair, an recount
of which we published last week: from
the Wayne County Herald
We have conversed with the gentle
man who was appointed guard over the
prisoner up to Friday night last
From him we CLEAN the following addi-
tional particulars
The burglar, upon being questioned,
gave his name as William McKinsley of
Halifax, Nova Scotia, where his wife and
four children are living. He states that
about four weeks since he became connce-
ted with a gang of housebreakers, the
other members of which were James
Weeks of Dunmore, Mike Hazel of Haw-
ly and John O'Brien of Philadelphia
O'Brien, is designated as the leader of
the gang. Weeks furnished the lnforma-
tion as to the whereabouts Of the money,
and the mode of obtaining it. The party
reached the vicinity of the robbery on
Friday night the 29th ult., and secured
access to the house by selling table cloths.
They had quarrel at No II on the night
of the outrage, which resulted in change
of plan, and accounts for the fact that
the whole party were not engaged in the
robbery.
O'Brien first entered the house and
rihed Mr.. Waite's pockets of the $500
He then sent in his accomplce to secure
the tin money-bo1 from the bureau draw,
er, the result of which attempt is given
above. 1t is supposed that o Brien hear
ing the noise of the contest inside became
alarmed and fled, in his haste: throwing
away the money stolen from Mr.. Waite,
as the entire sum was found under some
bushes on the following day, together
with skeleton key and twenty dollar
gold piece. McKinsley says that O'Brien
and Hazel went to Hawley the same
night
In the melee, McKinsley managed to
shoot the two boys of Mr.. Waite, the one
in the abdomen and the other in the
shoulder, as stated last week, and he also
shot himself in the forehead while at
tempting to discharge his pistol at Mr..
Waite over his shoulder He fired his
last shot while lying on the floor, held
down by Mr.. Waite, and with Mrs. W.
holding fast to one of his feet. One of
the boys shot him twice one ball taking
effect in his shoulder and the other in
the feshy part of his thigh. Owing to
the danger of injury to his father, the
boy then got piece of maple fire wood,
with sharp edges, and with that beat Nc
K. about the head so severely as to en-
tirely loosen the scalp from the skull, and
reduce him to helplessuess. During the
day lie was removed to the house of Thos
Hathaway, near by, where he was attend.
ed by Dr. Throop of Scranton, and Clark.
and Orchard of Salem, who, at the time
our informant left, pronounced the case
still critical
In the face of these facts, our readers
will find it hard to credit the statement
that the desperate has been allowed to
make good his escape But such is the
fact. On Saturday night last, at about 9
o'clock, the constable in charge of the
prisoner had occasion to leave the room
for about fifteen minutes, and altough he
took the preeaution to fasten down the
windows and lock the door, he found on
his return that occupation was gone
The windows were unfastened, the door
unlocked, and the constable's pistol, which |
had been left in drawer in the room. |
was missing with Mckinley. These are
all the facts concerning the escape which |
nave come to our knowledge, and we must
confess that they reflect but little credit |
ipon the vigilance or judgment Of the
guard. How outside parties should have
snown the precise moment to make the
escue; how they could have got away
With their helpless charge without discov.
ry, and how they still manage to keep
themselves secreted, are matters for fur
her explanation. To argue that Nc
Iinsely succeeded in making his own es-
ape would be casting reflection upon
he professional gentlemen who pronoun-
ed his injuries of too serious a nature to
low his careful removal to Jail.
At latest accounts the Waite boys were
10Th doing well. The balls have not been
ound in either case but favorable re-
ults are anticipated. Mr.. Waite was but
title hurt, terribly bitten finger being
he worst of his Injuries.