The Portland daily press., 1866-10-09

AoA oAio A<CWistou cOuAuds, Octs
!, William Holt, who was last week sentenced
to ten years in the State Prison for breaking
and entering Richards & MerrilPs store in the
city, and the depot at Lisbon Factory effected
his escape from Auburn Jail, Saturday even-
ing, and no traces Of him have as yet been
found. ti9-i' NiHi 8bd' NJ
Saturday about o'clock p. m, Col. Little
field, the jailer, let the prisoners out of their
cells into the Jail building, about an hour as
usual every night. Soon after he locked
them all in their cells, and was about the cells
until nearly O'Clock, preparing for Sunday
When he left at that hour he noticed Holt ly-
ing on his back, ON his cot reading by the LIGHT
of the gas in the walk. Col. L. went out, leay j
ing the gas burning. At about ten minutes
before 9 he went in again and put ont the gas.
He went nearly to Holts cell to do this but
saw nothing out of the way, and passed out of
the jail-building, locking the door as he went
out. sfa sliff ...f-'- : : ~. iliEs
Sunday morning Col L. went vent into the Jail,
saw nothing ont Of the way, and let all the
prisoners out of their cells into the binding
Tor their morning exercise. He even unlocked
HOlts cell door, which was all right, and sup
posed that Holt himself was in his cot In re-
turning to the Jail door to go out prisoner
whispered to Col L. that Holt had gone. As
certaining that this was too trle, Col L. i'm
mediately put all the prisoners back into their
cells, locked the cell doors and searched the
jail in every part to ascertain how the escape
had been effected He discovered that Holt
A.<@o A.D OoSoRO W 6oWiiiS On JWO UtrS
the cell grating with o case knife which had
been slightly notched by means of an old razor
The statement of another prisoner soon re-
vealed the modus 0perdnd of the escape. He
heard Holt break the bar and come out of his
cell about ten Ahinutes before Colonel Little
field appeared just before 9 o'clock to put
out the gas. Holt was in his shirt sleeves and
stocking feet. Taking his boots in his teeth he
slid down one Of the iron rods supporting the
walk in front of the cells (for his cell was in
10 tforl and AAI Al
floor. Here he awaited the coming in of Col
L., probably standing at the foot Of the stairs
Leading to the second tier and landing near
the door opening into the Office.
According to the statement of q prisoner his
lntentl0n was to conceal himself at the foot of
the stairs uutil Col. L. had put out the gas,
and then IN the darkness to ascend the steps,
wait until the door was unlocked (for it was
the custom OF Col L. to lock the door behind
him as he went in and unlock it as he return
ed,) and then knock down the Tailor and make
his escape by the door and the window Of the
Jail office. BY the accidental leaving of the
door open, Holt found it unnecessary to knock
down Col; L., but was probably able to pass
gas was put out, and undoubtedly conceal him
self behind door in the office until Col L. had
passed out and gone into the house.
1t is not known that Holt had any other wea-
pom in his hands except his boots, with which
| he probably intended to deal Col /, n blow
that might have killed him as he stood back to
Holt unlocking the door. The case knife and
razor, and Hollis coat which he had probably
removed to give greater freedom to his move
ments IN the expected struggle with the Ja,lor,
were found in the cell. The office window,
from which Holt jumped, was about SIX feet
from the ground Escaping about o'clock on
Saturday evening, the prisoner had all night
|. for start i i.+t. s
Col. Iittlefield offers 500 reward for any in
| formation that will lead to the arrest of Holt.
who is an old .jail-bird, and on that account
| has been watched very closely while in Auburn
| iail. from which he wassSo be removed to Thom-
aston this week Holt isabout 8 feet 3 inches
high, dark complexion, blue eyes, black whisk-
| ers all over his face, a little lame in one leg
had had one jaw broken, scar under his whisk-
ersi had tho letters 8. NJ and various figures
pair OF light checked pants, black vest, strip
ca drlillng shirt, and straw hat; had no coat.
Holt was sailor, and probably will attempt to
ship at some port la7