Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1867-03-12

Another Jail sta IN pc de.

Our little, dirty, ragged and shabby coun'
~ hen-coop has again delivered up its in
mates TO freedom, entaiiag additional ex>
pense upon the county in the pursuit of the
birds, with the probability against their re-
capture. Early on the morning of last Thurs.
day, Sheriff Crooks was aroused from his
happy slumbors by loud knocking at his
door. He quickly arose, and upon opening
the door, beheld, to his great surprise, one
Of the county tenants, w. g. Cummings,
whom he had left, the night before, safely
enclosed within the shelterng walls Of the
proud ediice which lifts its colossal proper,
tons in silent grandeur five rods west Of the
Court House, standing upon his door step in
all the native dignity Of free born Amer.
can citizen. A suspicion Immediately flash
ed across the mind Of our benignant Sheriff,
and with his blandest smile, he enquired,
What's up now?' am up, your hon
or, and am here to make my morning report.
Two Of the county watchmen have deserted
their posts, taking with them the lock to the
hen house, and unles, the door is quickly Sc
cured somebody will be apt to break in and
steal all the poultry. Friend Blake and my
self respectfully apply for safer quarters"
Downing his hat and coat, the Sheriff pro-
ceedcd with bis reporter to the before men
toned ediiice and found Blake quietly taking
his morning nap, as unconcerned as though
freedom lay not at Lis command. Upon
awsking, however, it occurred to him that
snug quarters at the Burr House would be
much more to his liking, and be politely re-
quested the privilege Of changing his base,
TO which the Sheriff generously assented, and
Blake embraced the opportunity to visit his
acquaintance in the city. Had Cummings
and Blake been disposed to leave, there was
certainly nothing in their way to prevent it.
The former had been confined only a few
days, on a charge Of assault with intent to
DO bodily injury. Blake is awaiting trial on
charge Of embezzlement, preferred by the
American Express Company. We give
some facts concerning his case in another
place. Fourtner and Shailer, the escaped
prisoners were two of the parties, connected
with the robbery Of Mr.. Lilies house in
January. Shaffer was the moving spirit in
the effort to escape. The lock Of the Jail
was fastened to the door by means of iron
plates firmly bolted, the nuts being screwed
upon the bolts from, III. ;no;Ja 81 i. IL:
covered that by unscrewing the nuts the
lock could be easily removed. On the night
of the escape he improvised wrench BY
bending up the iron tire-poker and worked
faithfully to remove the nuts. His efforts
were rewarded with success about an hour
before daylight, and the open door to free
dom lay before him. He aroused Blake,
who was fast asleep babe him good by, and
with an oath told him to fly, now that, he had
the chance. He then left the Jail with Four,-
her, and took the lock with him, remarking
that it would come handy in case any OH.
should attempt to attack him. Fourtner did
not seem inclined to 60, but Shaiier told him
he must 60. Cummings secured bail and
was not returned to the Jail at all. Blake
returned at nightfall. Fourtner returned to
the coop about midni lit If Thursday, sick
of wandering, and we'll rid of Shaiier, who
was the moving spirit Of the whole affair. II
is hoped that Shatfer will soon be secured.
but he is watchful and may evade the Off
GERS for long time.
This is by far the strangest serio-comic af
win the county hen-coop, and We trust its
utter righteousness will open the eyes of our
honorable Board Of Supervisors to the folly
of making . farce Of the efforts Of our mag.
istrates to enforce the laws of the State.