The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-29
REVOLT AT SING-SING PRISON.

Wounded.
sMe.sNG, August 2s.-A bloody affair oo-
CURED at the State Prison here Yesterday after
noon. No less than thrty convicts had banded
themselves together to break jail and decamp.
Some of the number are tie most desperate
characters ever confined within the walls
OF prison. Especially may this be sand OF
Edward stafford, the RInSleader,
who was instantly killed while advancing on
the guard. Stafford, alias Duffy, was one OF the
crew of piratical vessel named the Rhodd q,
which vessel some time ago made thieving
trip up the Hudson river, the crew gong ashore
al Poughk keepse, where they entered the house
of the Rev. Mr.. Hageman of that city, and stole
theretrom a quantity of silvefware. Stafford
was soon after arrested, tired, and found guilty
OF the ohense and sentenced by Judge Wheaton,
of Duchess county, to fifteen years and six
months confinement In Slng-Sing, which sem
tenCe he was filing when he originated the con-
spiracy which has cost him his life. His desperate
character was well known TO Sheriff Lamiree, of
Dutchess county, as he came very near taking
the life OF Jailer Palmer at Pouehkeepsie, while
attempting to break Jail during his incarcera-
ii, n there. In order to gather everything per-
tanning 10 the affair of yesterday we took down
the statements OF different persons, and herewith
append them:-
Statement of Orlando Humphrey.
/ am superintendent OF the South Foundry at
the prison; yesterday afternoon, about o'clock,
James Mclaughlin, convict, started out OF the
front door OF the foundry and called in loud
voice for the men In the auger shop to come
out and pass that way; Immediately the whole
crowd, some twenty-seven in number, responded
to McLoughlrns call, and came rushing from
the augur room through my room and passed
out Of the south door down beyond the lime
kiln, thence to the railroad, every man of them
being armed with mapping bars, clubs, and long
knives. When they passed me they said not
WORD. One man shook his fist at me, but said
not word. They ran as fast as they could, all
yelling. l followed them Immediately to the
south guard post. There l saw them encoun-
fl,p. GkaND
was shouting to his followers to come on. In
moment after saw Stafford fall to the ground,
the convicts still fighting the guards. When
Stafford fell the convicts scattered, the guard
nnrsning. All were taken but one.
Statement of Guard at the south Post.
My name is William G. Gale; AN d guards
man at the south end of the prison; the hrst
intimation had of the revolt at the prison,
behind the lime shed, having just come from
the South Foundry; Immediately ran on my
beat got my musket and revolver, and re-
turned; when got back to my position | saw
one OF the guards, man named Griffin, shooting
at the convIcts as fast as he could load and fire.
The convicts then ran towards my post; raised
my masket tC my shoulder, and warned them to
halt, but they aid not mind me. | shot imme-
diately and saw one man fall. The head ones
then stopped for an instant, when Stafford, brand
lshing huge knife, yelled to them to follow him.
AS he came toward me he yelled "KiIl the son of
b--h. Cut his heart out.n then drew my revolver
times, but 1t would not go of. The convicts
were then within three yards of me, the stones
flying about me like hail. At this juncture /
was obliged to leave my post and retreat, which
did, falling back to the railroad. then turned
again and snapped my revolver, but it would
not 90 of. The convicts were still pursuing.
Ietreated rapidly down the railroad track until
got near quarry where some laborers were
at work. when | cried for help. The laborers
came from the quarry armed with their drills,
when the convicts were compelled to halt. Just
at this moment Stafford was shot dead by one
Of the guards who were hurryiDg 10 my assist
ance, and then the combat ended, and all but
one of the eonspirators were retaken.
The Scene n Desperate One.
From all accounts the scene was q thrilling
one, the desperation of the conspirators know.
ing no bounds Coroner Thomas Smith, of
Hastings, held an inquest on the body of Stat.
ford this morning, the following being the ver-
dict:-
edward Stafford came to his death while
attempting to run the guard at the State Prison,
using threats OF violence against the officers of
said prison while in the discharge of their duty,
and We hereby eXonerate said officers from ali
blamen
No one of the guards was hurt seriously.
A man named Half, formerly a guard, died
suddenly of disease of the heart soon after the
affair was over, his complaint being brought on
by the excitement of the occasion, he having
assisted in the capture OF the convicts.
List of Casualties.
The following is list OF the casualties:-
james Mclaughlin, received May 8, 1858, from
Brooklyn. robbery, first degree, five years. aged
II years, gunshot flesh wound on back, passing
downward; ball extracted.
Andrew Yates May 81, 1866, Brooklyn, mur-
der life, superficial, gunshot wound of scalp.
James Morse Kings county, robbery, first
degree, October 81 1865, ten years; gunshot
wound on back, ball passing downward, and
lodging in the abdomen; ball not extracted
Isaac Brennan, alias Peter Butler, Richmond
| county, October ~, 1865, burglary, four years;
flesh wound left leg.
Edward Stafford alias Duffy, January 90 bur.
glary, first degree aged "a years, was sentenced
to 10 years and 6 months confinement from
Dutchess county; gunshot wound back of the
head, ball passing out at the left eye; dead.
McMulhgan who was sentenced at the same
| time Stafford was Tor the same otiense, was
all ready to Join the conspirators, but his plans
were frustrated. ..1 .c
There was another convict mortally wounded
whose name forgot to put on the list of casual
ties, to wit, John Cassidy. He was sent here Oy
Mayor Hoffman of New York for term OF eight
years for burglary During the conflict he was
holding up his hand, when ball passed through
it and entered his body. He will probably die
before tomorrow morning. One OF the most
desperate OF the lot, Samuel Weed, Brooklyn
desperate, escaped unhurt
A Convict Escapes from Sing Sing Prison.
One of the inmates of Smg-Sing Prison,
named James Cunningham, escaped nom the
prisen on Monday, and up to last night had not
been retaken. He has on the right arm cross
stamped with India ink; between the thumb
and forefnPer, ]. c.; brOadsscar across the
windpipe; dark complexion; small hole under
the right eye; five feet six inches IN height