The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-04-21

ESCAPE OF THREE CoNv1cTs FROM THE
PENITENTIARY.-Three prisoners, Granville
Montelle, E. S. Wright, and Gabriel Cox,
white men, confined in the penitentiary on
the charge of horse=stealing, made their
escape at an early hour yesterday morning.
The escaped conyicts were confined in the
same cell. At IL o'clock Montelle was called
up to make bread for the breakfast of u lot
of prisoners who were to 60 off in the morn
I ing. At u o'clock he was put back.in the
cell, and nothing wrong was observed at
that time. 1t appears that the prisoners
then cut hole in the board flooring and
through the brick arch below. They then
dropped into the cellar, and entered d cul-
vert, which led them to apoint just beneath
the outer wall of the penitentiary. Here
the bars of the sewer grating interposed,
but this obstacle was overcome by saving
two Of the bars in half and bending them
back. forming q hole large enough for the
passage Of q mans body. They were now
without the wall, and, waiting for the oppor-
tunity, climbed up through the trap while
the sentry's back was turned to strike the
hour, and ran off. Their absence was not
discovered until o'clock, when the door of
their cell was opened to allow them to come
out for the day. The work must have been
performed very expeditiously, as the senti-
mel reported. all right on the outside at 2
O'Clock. It is supposed that the plan was
devised by Cox, whose duty it was to keep
the culyert clean. -
AIontelle is o notorious horse-thief and
desperado; last sentenced to the penitentiary
by the Circuit Court Of Petersburg. 1t
being the third offence, he was in for life,
but had served out only four months Of his
term. He s'about five feet eleven inches
high, thirty-fve years Of age, with dark
hair. and hazel eyes. He is marked by
scars on the forehead, Oh the fingers Of his
right hand, and between the first and second
fingers on his left; also by q scar from a
kick on the left leg. -
E. C. Wright, of Loudoun county, is under
sentence of ten years for horse.stealing
He was lieutenant in Whites battalion OF
guerillas. He is described as FIVE feet
seven inches in height, dark complexion,
and dark grey eyes. He carries awound
from ball. on the right leg between the
knee and ankle.
Cox is FIVE feet six inches high, sallow
complexion, black hair, dark grey eyes,
with several scars in the centre of his fore
head. He is under sentence of FIVE years,
two of which he has served out.
.Montelle, though a noted desperate, has
conducted himself with great propriety
since he has been in the penitentiary, Civ
ing very little trouble to the keepers. lie
was engaged us chief cook, in which capa-
city he served on the night of the escape.
SALES OF REAL EsTATE.-Messrs. Lee 8
Goddin, auctioneers, sold on yesterday, OF
private sale, the following pieces, Of real
estate A farm in the county Of Fluyanna,
near Lock No. 90, containing ESQ acres, tor
S2,5OO; three framed tenements on Maddox
Hill, fronting so feet and extending back
'l40 feet, for 81, ,75O /; one framed tenement
on Poplar street, fronting 221h feet by Luz
feet, for $3.50. s & -
81 Mr.. Wellington Goddin sold yester-
day ll0 acres on the Charles City road
about six miles from Richmond, for $500
also, 625 acres on the York River railroad
fifteen miles from the city, for SS, zSl.zo'
r. D. James was the purchaser Of the t1rst.
and John B. Davis Of the second tract.