The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-04-06
Y E R G Z R
HIS ESCAPE FROM PRISON AND HOW IT
WAS EFFECTED.

The public was somewhat surprised
az an early hour on Sunday morning
last 10y the announcement hat f. Nj.
frrger had escaped from Jail, and va
rious aud contradictory we've the con-
lectures and rumors that plcvail.d dur
ing the day concerning the event.
1t appears that the prisoner had be-
come imp tieut under the several post
p"nements OF the hearing of his pei
tion for bail, under writ of llbc:s cor
pns, and was especially indignant to-
ward his counsel on Saturday last for
having agreed to the poStpnuemert of
the case for still another month. He
determined to make his escape, aud
intimated as much to iis counsel, and
perhaps to others. When the Prise
ner was placed in the custody of the
sheriff he was confined as other Prise
ners; but the rules Of the Jail were
greatly relaxed i'm his favor on the
pledge ct his counsel that he would not
attempt to escape, or avail himself OF
any opp"l;niity Of ding SO. After the
proceedings # saturday, and the threat
OF the prisoner to escape, the sheriff
WAS notified 10y his counsel that they
would no LONGER be responsible for his
i remaining IN confinement. Acting Ep-
don this notice, Sheriff Lake and his
deputy visited the Jail about II n'clnck
on Saturday night, with view to Sc
curcIy l"cising up the prisoner. The,
found him inseusihle from drink, or
fci@nedly sn. and could not remove
him TO il cell without lifting him tudi-
~. they very reasnlahly concluded
that he would he harmless until morn
ing, and so left him. For all this, and
ne general management of the Jail,
Sheriff Lake has been made the sub
.lect OF much gross and absurd abuse.
We are no champion of his or any
other appointees OF the late General
Ames, but, occupying an. important
public office as he does. we are sur
riised to see such wholesale dennncia-
ton OF him from Il quarter where his
loyalty should have been better un
derss""d and better appreciated. The
appointment Of Mr.. Lake to the office
OF sheriff wars otly one of many other
outraS"s perpetratea upon our people,
but that he has not been efficient and
faithful in the discharge of his duties
has been first discovered by brethren,
OF his own political household. In our
opinion, Mr.. Lake did precisely what
any other sheriff would have done -witl
amy other prisoner alike charged he
fore the law. when importuned by res
pectahlc and responsible counsel, and
when like pledges tor good faith OH
the part OF the prisoner were made
him. He was nevertheless, legally
res onsible for the safe keeping of the
prisoner; bnt certainly there appears
IL" ground for criminal connivance Oh
the part of the sheriff, as has been nm.
charltably, and we believe unjuStly
, insinuated against him.
The prisoner left the Jail ahon.
o'clock a. m, having evidently sealed
the high plank fence hy the aid of /;
barrel, box and bucket placed agains,
1t. The fence is about twenty feet
high. 1t seems that he had prevailed
upon the .jailor to go to tie market
house near by to procure him cup OF
coffee, and during his ahsense mad,
!, his escape. He proceeded up Pr-si
; dent street, to the residence of Mrs
Buck. which he entered visiting sever,
al rooms and inqni'ing for friend
He continued mp that street. and whel
just North of the pen;.entiary wal
met gentleman on horseback. Tiis
proved TO bc Mr.. Wilson, now occupy
ing the residence of Mrs. Clark. Ht
was on his way tn market. He spoke
| to 1erger, asked HIM how he was get
ting along. ETC., surprising that he ht,
ieen admitted to bail and was takin.
IA mor.ing walk. He asked Mr. vii
son tn dismount, to which the latte
objected, remarking that sickness il
his family, required him to hasten bacl
from market. Yerger then ordered
ham to dismount. and, getting on tn,
horse, rode off with all possible speed
AS soon as the sheriff was informed q
, his flight, caHrier> were dispatched il
all directions. and armed guards wrr,
, employed during the day in searchin:
; private residences under the belief tina
he was yet within the city limits. /
: liberal reward will doubtless be offer
! ed for his apprehension. and no ctfor
will be spared to obtain it.
Mr.. Yerger certainly could not hav,
: been advised by and of his friends t,
: take a step so exceedingly foolish. Al
!. the probabilities were that in few
q weeks he would be admitted to hai
until snch time rs the crime of whicl
he stands charged conl.l be fairly an,
=. dispassionately considered by a jury u
his c0untrymen. He now uccupi ) tn
, undianticd and nnenviahle attitude O
. II fugitive from justice, with the chan
p ces of arrest and RECOMMENDATION
, greatly against him.
4 Since the above has been pat i
: print we learn that he. Yerger, In
] returned and given himself up to til
e authorities Jackson (Miss.) Clarion
!, YERGER's LETTER TO GOV. ALcoRs
+, MEMPHIS, March 23- Yerger has al
= dressed the following letter to Govern
. or Alcorn:
: JACKSON JAIL, MISS.
e March %, 1870.
t SIR:-Learning that the Sheriff an
S his subordinates, and perhaps yourself
{, have been censured for my escape, an
It unwilling that injustice should rest
z any quarter, l voluntarily return
: prison. Weari d almost beyond tnd'
y rance with long confinement, my min
e tortured by supposed unnecessary d'
e. lay in bringing my case properly b'
II fore the court, / was possessed vii
$, AN unaoverhable desire to breathe tt
Ie mir NJ trep1onu I ulwoyS intended