The Shasta courier., 1866-08-04
Jack Sheppard Outdone--A Thief in the
Mobile Jail that Cannot be Ironed.

The prisoners confined in the Jail at Mo-
bile, Alabama, recently made an attempt to
escape, but were discovered in time to pre-
vent any of them from getting off, The two
ringleaders, named Hudson and Boone, were
put into irons. The Mobile Register has
this account of what ensued
In one of the corner cells, on the first
floor, is confined the noted young Boone,
alias Monroe, handsome lad of about
eighteen years. He was the first one releas-
ed by Hudson ON Monday night, and took
the keys, after which he opened all the cells
on the first and second floors. After the
prisoners had been secured, and their efforts
thwarted. the Sheriff and Jailor at once
placed Hudson and Boone in irons, hands
and feet. 1t was soon afterward discovered
that young Boone had thrown off the irons.
He was taken out and heavily ironed again,
the shackles and chains having been inereas-
ed. In less than five minutes -afterward the
jailor peeped into his cell and saw all the
cuffs, chains and shackles lying on the floor
of the cell, and young Boone sitting on his
bed as if he had done nothing. Six different
times did they place his limbs in irons, and
the strongest and most intricate were called
into requlsition, but all to no purpose.
when Captain Petty, Chief Of the Mobile
Ponce, was told of the extraordinary feats
performed by young Boone in throwing off
MS irons, he expressed a desire to be per.
mitted to select the irons himself, and dress
the young man according to his style. The
Jallor complied with Captain Pettv,s re.
quests. and. after the cuffs and shackles and
chains had been procured, we repaired to
young Boone's cell. He is bright intelli.
gent boy. with large blue eyes, effeminate
features, and complexion as fair as n Iadv
He rose from his bed as we neared the cell
and came to the grated window with cheer.
fu smile upon his handsome face. We were
accompanied by the Sheriff. Jailor, Captain
Petty and two tuinkeys.
The Sheriff opened the door of the cell
and invited young Boone to step out. He
was then told that Capt. Petty had come to
place him in irons so that he would stay in
them. This did not seem to move him the
least. He smiled pleasantly, and remarked
that such a thing could no doubt be did,
but hoped that no further efforts would be
made in that direction. The Sheriff ordered
the irons to be placed on him, and Captain
Petty sommenced by drawing the young
man's%rsts together behind his back after
which he put on tight-ftting pair of patent
handouts. He then drew his arms close be-
hiuu Hihi, duu put Il pair VI CuHS attached
bv short chain, above his elbows. A chain
was then attached to the cuffs at the wrist.
which extended down to tie shaekles, which
were closely fitted and locked on his ankles.
During the operation, his large blue ewes
were keenly fixed on every article of his iron
dress, as each was adjusted.
After Capt. Petty pronounced him secure.
young Boone's eyes fell, and look Of de
spair overshadowed his heretofore bright
cvuntenance. We could not help but pity
one so young and promising in his painful
situation. Capt. Petty remarked to him,
Now, Boone, if you wriggle yourself out
of that dress l will guarantee that the
Sheriff here will give you the freedom of your
cell, and so long as you behave yourself you
will never again be ironed in this jail As
these words were spoken. Boone's face was
fairly illuminated with joy, and he asked the
Sheriff if it was a bargain? p That official
assented, believing with Capt. Petty and all
present that it was out of his power to ac-
complish such feat. Young Boone wished
to know if the agreement would be fulfilled
as soon as the work was done. He was told
that it would.
He then asked the Sheriff and Capt Petty
to go from the cell while he was at work.
They went off to the other side of the hall to
iron some prisoners, and had not gone two
minutes before young Boone announced that
his arms were free, and in less than three
minutes longer the shackles were off his legs,
and he stood without an iron upon him. He
will have no more irons put upon him. but
close watch will be kept over him. He was
put in for larceny about one month ago, and
his trial took place in June. He is a native
Of New York city, and has graduated from
the Tombs. He came to the South before
the war; and served in the Confederate army
during the war, being member of the
Seventh Virginia cavalry, and one of the
noted scouts of the Army of Virginia He
is the last youth in the country who would
be suspected for professional rogue"