Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-09
Two OF the Bowdoinham Bank Robbers Attempt
to Escape from the State Prison.

to Escape from the state Prison.
On Saturday evening last, David Bartlett
and Orrin Simms, each sentenced to serve fif-
teen years in the State Prison at Thomaston
for robbing the Bowdoinham National Bank
on the night of June 22d, 1866, made res
olute attempt to escape. We compile the par
ticulars of the affair from the Bath Times of
yesterday. 1t seems that Simms was the
principal in the plot, he having planned it,
and secured the utensils necessary for what
he considered the accomplishment of his pur-
pose. His manGuvrings had been in the
most secret and cunning manner, The chief
implement which he used was continuance
somewhat like jackscrcw, with which he
succeeded in loosening the bar of his cell
door. He had also procured several keys
which he was to use in letting loose his con-
fcderate, David Bartlett How and when he
came in possession of these utensils is mys-
terry. The two prisoners occupied cells in
the first division of the old wing of the prison,
Bartlett No 4, and Simms No. II. 1t is pre-
sumed that there was tactit understanding
between them, to the mode of escape,
before their incarceration even if they had
not privately meditated it between them in
the still hours, of night, when their whispers
along the corridors could not be heard.
The hour selected for the escape was eight
o'clock. The jackscrew was brought into re-
QUESTION, wrenching the iron bar of the cell
apparently as easily as if it had been made of
nj no oil
Smms emerged into the corridor and stole
stealthily and unobservedt to the cell occupiedby
Bartlett, and with one of the keys surreptitious-
ly procured, released Bartlett who emerged
into the corridor with his confrere. From
the corridor the convicts proceeded through
a scuttle to the attic, and from thence crept to
a window from which by the use of q plank
they reached the top of the prison-yard wall
The distance from the top of the wall to the
ground is about fifteen feet. This distance
they jumped and found themselves outside of
the prison; they started for the woods, but
had only crossed the road short distance
from the prison, before their absence in their
cells was discovered by the night Waterman who
instantly gave the alarm. Upon receiving The
alarm, two of the outside sentinels, who were
on the alert discharged their rifles in the d.
recton of the retreating conyicts, but the
shots went wide Of the mark. The two senti-
nels reloaded their pieces, and one of them
got a good sight upon Bartlett, who was some
twenty rods ahead, and fred again, his shot
this time hitting Bartlett in the arm. This
L.. a., S&l. 10.
standstill AS the snow was very deep the
convicts had experienced considerable Difficult
ty in making Roadway. Had it been other
wise Bartlett might perhaps have withstood
the effects Of a shot. Upon coming to a stand
still, they begged for quarter, and surrender
ed without resistance. They were conducted
back to the prison yard, having been out if
teen minutes, and having gone about forty
rods from the prison. They had but little if
anything to say, Bartlett not even making any
complaint as to his wound. The latter's
wounds were dressed, during which opera
ton he maintained perfect stolidity Of counte
nance. Both were placed in solitary confine-
ment to which punishment they appeared ut.
terly Indifferent Neither betrayed any visi-
BILE chagrin at being defeated in their enter
prise. They had taken tn ir chance and
failed. They were sentenced to fifteen years
imprisonment, and were committed to the
prison Jan. g., 1868, together with Edward
Magwire, who did not seem to have any part
in this attempt to escape. Some time ago the
latter attempted to dig out" but was foiled in
the enterprise.