The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-03-07

- WIS hSCVSoui1 lhdt 'hio NihSu'J
should be remedied hut how With
ont view of the ground just outside Of
the wall, no one could calculate how
far, or in what direction to run tunnel,
SO that when it was conducted to the
surface all obstrtucions might he avoid
ed. In this emergency, General Mor>
yam engaged Scott in conversation about
the re markable escape of some convicts,
which had occurred a year or two pre-
viously, and VIII ch Scott was very fond
Of describing. These convicts had
climbed by the balconies, iD front Of the
ranges of cells, to the ceiling, and had
passed out through the skylight to the
roof OF the prison. Scott declared his
belief that there were no two other men
on the continent who could perform the
feat of ascending by the balconies.
Why" says General Morgan, Gap.
tain Sam. Taylor, small as he is, can
do it." ... .,-.t ... ,..., ....... .....
Ihereupon discussion ensued, end
ing by Scott's giving Taylor permission
to attempt it. Taylor, who, although
very small, was as active as squirrel,
Immediately commenced the ascent, aud
sprang from one to the other If the bal
comics, until he reached the top one
He Was one OF the men who had been
selected to escape with General Morgan,
and comprehended immediately the lat.
ter's object in having him attempt this
feat. 1t would afford him chance 10
glance out Of the widows at the ground
Just beyond the wall. As he leisurely
swung himself down, he studied "the
position carefully, aud his observa-
tions enabled them to dire the tunnel
oriyht. Once during the tuunciiDg.
while Captain llnckersmith (another Of
the projectors "t' the p'an) was AT work
under. ground, &cott called Tor him and
seemed anxious to fnl him at once.
General Murgnns presence OF niiud pre-
vented discovery, or, at least, strong
suspicion of the plot from at once re-
su!tiny from llockerSmith's absence.
The General said to Scott, blocker,
smith is lying down in my cell he is
sick, and he requested Scott to examine
aud give his opinion upon memorial
which he proposed forwarding to Wash.
lngton. 1t was something regal ding our
removal to a military prison. Scott
,highly fAttcred by this tribute to his
jud ment) took the memorial, looked
at it attentively Tor some minutes, aud
returned it, SAYING, II think it will do
first rate" 1t did do 10 the mean.
time, Hockersmith had been signaled.
and had 'come up" an! he made his
appearance complaining OF serious in
disposition.
While the work was going on, General
Morgan and those who were TO escape
with him habi.ually slept with their
faces covered and there hands concealed.
This was done to accustOme the night
guard 10 take THEFT presence in the cells
Tor g,anted, by the appearance of the
bulk upon the bed, without actually
seeing them This guard went the
rounds at the expiration of every iw"
hours during the nj aht aud he would
place his lantern close to each cell door,
IN order that the light should fill the
cell ard show the occupant. General
Morgan used to say thar a peculiar shud
| Gering aud creeping Of The flesh would
a,sall him wheneve' this man approach
ed. He would freqn ntly creep about
with list slippers On his feet, and he
! 4 IL Al Iii.
Tie USED to remind me of sly, cruel,
bIoaled, suspicious, night>prowling
spider.
When the tunneling approached its
completion, all the other necessary pre-
paratons were made The prison. yard
into which they would emerge from the
tunnel, was surrounded by wall twtn.
ty five feet high. aud means for sealing
that had to De provided. There was
au inner wall running from the corner
Of the EAST Hall' to smaller build
ing, in which sume uf the female con
victs we're imprisoned, bnt it was CON
paratively low, and they anticipated lit
tie difficulty in letting over it. ! he
coverlets Of several beds were torn into
strips, and the strips were plated into
a strong rope nearly thirty feet in
length. A strong iron rod, used for
stirring the fires in the stoves, was
converted into hook, and the rope
was attached To it l;ope AMI hook
were taken down into the air. cham
Der, where all the 'valuaSles' were stor
ed, ..a. 1w
r. General Morgan had managed to get
a suit Of citizens clothing, and the six
men who were going TO escape with him
were similarly provided. The Warden
had prohibited the introduction into the
prison OF uniform clothing, hut occas.
ionally allowed plain suits to be receiv
ed. The General had alsn gotten ii card
Of the schedule time Oh the Little Mia
mi Railroad. AID knew when the tram
left Columbus, ard when it arri, ed al
Cincinnati-tor this he paid fifteen dol
L,rs all the t,,,nay ,,sad In pffprtinU his