The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-09-22

lHR ESCAPE OF PRISONERS FROM THE
JAIL-REMARKABLE INGENUITY.-The manner
in which John Brown and Louis Harper effect
ed their escape from Ramsey County Jail, on
Sunday morning, was 80 ingenious and daring
as almost to rival the roAantic deeds of Duval
and Sheppard. From some articles found in
their cell after their departure, it seems that
they were almost without implements to effect
their escape, and were compelled to manufac-
ture them out of such material as chance
threw in their way. Harper, having been a
machinist by trade, was doubtless the one who
managed the affair, and from the results it
seems that he must be an experienced and dan
gerous character at such tricks.
For instance, q saw or file was an indispen-
sible implement to their operations, and he
set about manufacturing one. He managed in
some way to get wrought iron nail, and
hammered or scraped it until it bore some re-
semblance to saw, having few ragged teeth
on the edge. The next step was to harden,
or temper it. He therefore got from fellow
prisoner small tin box, such as ointments or
salve are put up in, and collected it full of the
grease from meats sent into his cell. Having
made wick from strip of cotton torn of his
clothing, he was provided with q passable
lamp, with which he tempered his saw, until
it was equal in hardness to the best steel. A
couple of pieces Of wood tied together made
its handle.
With this file or saw, he made key from the
handle Of the iron spoon sent in along with
their food, which key served to pick the pad
lock of the door to their cell. The paddock
is apparently very complicated one, but is
in reality very simple one, and can be open
ed with a piece of wire or stick, We should
think. Harper had evidently watched the key,
saw its peculiarities. and fashioned his own
so much like it, that the bogus key readily
unlocked the paddock, and admitted them into
the hall.
The first of these was . wooden DOR set into
frame work of bars, separating the side from
the front balls. This was probably wrenched
open, az it bears marks Of that kind of treat
ment
The next one to be opened was the iron door
1.-The main entrance door to the Jaif-opening
inwards. This is locked with Q large, but
simple lock, and the bolt was found pushed
back.
Outside of this is a heavy wooden door.
which was also unlocked, and having passed
through this, the prisoners were virtually free,
and walked of.
The question arises, how did Harper procure
means to unlock these three doorsi 1t must
have been done by some heavier implement
than served to pick the paddock. A heavy
piece Of wire might possibly have been pre-
pared SO as to execute the work, but even that
must have been given him by outsiders.
In his cell was found long string or strip
of skin, cut from an old fur collar of a coat.
This string was long enough to have reached
from the Jail window to some one standing on
the ground, and might have been used to draw
up tools or keys to open the outside doors.
of course this aid from an accomplice out
side could only have been rendered after night
Harper's plan then was to pick his cell lock
| which he did by the means above stated, ani
| oct into the hall, from which he could let hi
cord out of the window. and draw up the tool
| to force the other locks. His confederate out
side had already, in that case, had notice o
the hour at which they were to be in readi
| ness.
| This hour was one most favorable to tn,
escape. Mr.. Grace, after watching until tire,
o'clock had retired. Nicholas Statefeld, tn
turnkey. came on duty at five, but the bird
were flown. Their ingenious and daring plo
had been carried out.
flour theory of the escape be correct, Han
! per and Brown may be concealed by their con
federates and accomplices in this city. If 50
, their recapture is almost certain.
LARGR SHIPMKxr OF BUFFALO RoBRs.-
Aessrs. Borup d Champlin yesterday shippe
, for the Hudson Bay Company, Az bufal
e hides. They 60 to Montreal via La Crosse an