The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-10
ATTEMPTED ESCAPE FROM PRISON
Eight Men Break Out and are Recap
tuTsd-ExciJing ChasO-BraVery of a

Eight Men Break Out and are Recap
tuTsd-ExciIing ChasO-Bravery OF
Boy.
An exciting affair occurred at Trenton, on
Saturday afternoon, at about three o'clock
Eight prisoners, all OF whom had been sentenced
10 long terms, made an Intellectual attempt to
escape from confinement. They were employed
in the blacksmith shop, and had made every
preparation to 'leave." The preconcerted sig
nal was given lust as a loaded wagon was pass
ing through the gate. A board which had been
loosened in the side of the shop was removed,
and the eight men one alter another passed
through the opening, before the oYerseer was
aware of the movement.
Each of the desperadoes was armed with
bar of iron or a hammer. The gate-keeper,
Peter 0ssenberg who had his back turned
towards the shop, was attacked and tonce over
powered. He was struck violently in three
places, his head, arm, and leg, aud as they
thought they had placed him hors de combat
and prevented his giving the alarm, they passed
out without doing him any further injury. But
he Immediately jumped up, closed the gate, and
gave the alarm.
The only prisoners who were aware of what
had happened, were those who were working
in the blacksmith shop, and they kept right on
as If nothing remarkable hal occurred know
ing that a bullet through the head would stop
the first man who should dare to follow.
Some OF the keepers and others at once started
in pursuit. Six OF the men had made straight
for the Delaware, while the other two had gone
in different directions. One of the latter was
serving out five years term tor burglary and
who once broke out Of the Camden County
Jail. He ran with all the vigor impaired by
the hope OF liberty, taking a southerly drec-
ton, towards BordentowD. son of Mr., Rob-
inson, the keeper, boy only about fifteen
years of age, gave chase to this ruffian and
bA,n- swift OF loot, soon came near enough to
take aim anu fire. The ball of the single bar
relied pistol passed u2der Snlllvan's arm with
out doing any damaoc aud tne cor gc! tIre .Ilrnr,
4G.i upon his puTsuer. Swift as thought the boy
cooked the unloaded pistol, and taking aim, de-
manded his surrender. Again the convict
started to run, aud, while folio wing him, young
Robinson quickly reloaded bis weapon. The
convict was chased by the boy into the corner of
field, and finally came TO stand, with his
back to the fence. He held stones in his fists
with which, while his eyes glared with anger
and revenge he threatened to Kill his youthful
pUrsueu; but the latter bravely kept him at bay
until the men came up and secured the prisoner.
The other men were followed by armed men,
and the boys of the neighborhood aud most of
them were captured while endeaVoring to cross
the river in boat to Pennsylvania. Within
thTee.qUarteIs of an hour the eight men were
all inside of the prison walls again, in irons.
two prisoners have succeeded in escaping during
the incumbency of the present keeper, and this
was during his first ten months.
Among those who made this desperate at
tempt to regain their freedom was man named
White, from HunterdOn county. As he had
twice before endeavored TO escape, he was fas-
tened by ball and chain, OF which he dis
encumbered himself by means of a file. Tue
others were john McKane, Baines, McCaffrey,
REYNOLDS, Mains Ia horse thief, and one hose
name we did not learn.--Neloarb Advertiser OF
last eUening.