Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-09-02
! Attempts to Break Jan.

There Is now in Jail q man known as James
Smith, alias Sim Jim. charged with burglary,
and the guards look upon him as the most des-
perate character they have within the walls.
A few DAYS since he was detected In making
Preparations to break cut, by cutting the bolts
Of the lock of the cell, and for this he was
plsced in irons in cell by himself Last
mig hit II was disco vered that ne had broken his
hand cuffs to atoms, and was making prepa-
rations to work at the leg irons, making il
necessary for the guards TO place other irons
on his hands behind his back On Friday
night about 12 ocloc the guards at the Jail dis.
covered that there was an effort being made on
the part OF some OF the prisoners to break jail.
The first intimation Of the attempt was OBJ
tanned by Mr.. A. Duvall, who suspected that
there was something going on in that part OF
the Sd story, known as the Debtors Depart
ment While on his way up stairs, ne heard
some one at work In the cells opening in
the west corrodor Of the I'd story, and
calling the other guards-Messrs James Cole
man, Robert Waters, - Keyser, and Robert
and, looking into the cells, discovered that
hole large enough for q man to pass had been
cut through the wall On being discovered,
one of the prisoners-A. J. Fitzpatrick, a des-
perate character, confined for larceny-eX-
claimed, ssCome, boys, let's fight them and
the guard answered, sThrow brick. and we
together with the promptness of VIM. Morti-
mer, who is confined for burglary and an as
sault with intent to kill Ofhcer WILLIAMSBURG
came forward and Surrendered saying that
time delivered to the guards saw made of
watch springfield the effect of preventing any
bloodshed, and the prisoners were secured.
The others were w. H. King, the horse thief;
John Smith alias johnson. confined for
larceny and horse stealing; and Charles
Wright confined for larceny. After securing
these prisoners, the guards proceeded up
stairs to the debtors department, when it was
discovered that hole had been nearly cut
through the floor, and the other walls had been
worked up, ana it was apparent that the parties
confined in this part intended to get down into
the cells below and unite their fortunes with
these above named in attacking the guard,
getting the keys, and making general Jail
delivery. In this part of the building were
confined q. W. Nicholas, alias Uavanagh,
charged with burglary, George McCauley,
under sentence, David Dugan. larceny, and
Davis johnson, assault and battery: and they
too were secured the most desperate being
placed in irons. From King and Mortimer were
Elrod bolts which had been dug out of the
wall. The guards deserve great deal OF
credit for the vigilance and frmness they
display ed on this occasion.
Al present there are over one hundred pri.
soners confined in JAIL and the number is
daily increasing. The officers, some OF whom
have been connected with the prison for years.
are OF the opinion that the prisoners now there
are of more desperate character than have
hitherto been confined in the prison Warden
Huestis, in order for the safer keeping Of the
which parties can easily work in an nour or
two, is preparing to set in the centre Of each
cell heavy stone. IN which bolts will be In.
serted and clamped, and if necessary the more
desperate prisoners will be made fast to these
stones.