Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-02-18


Bold Attempt OF the Bowboinham Bank
Robbers To Escape from Prison.
The attempt at escape Of two OF the
Bowdoinham Bank Robbers from the State
prison on Saturday night furnishes the all
absorbing theme o: conversation. Ever
since the incarceration of these notorious
felons n close Surveillance has been kept
over their movements, rs it was feared
that they would make an attempt to get
out as soon as they had got the LAY of
the land" and found opportuno moment.
Some time ago it will be remembered
that Mcguire one of the trio, undertook
to "dig out" but was foiIed in the under
taking And now it appears that Simms
and Bartlett, the other two have under
taken the same thing but have most sig
nally failed in their attempt to breathe
the fresh air OF freedom.
The tools which were found in the pos
session of Simms and those which he left
behind at tho Prison give evidence of n
plan, which probably had been maturing
for months. 1t appears that Orrin Simms
was the principal parsonage in the plot
and NIL intriguing had been left to him.
So far IA had gone in his manGuvcrings
he had accomplished everything in the
most secret and cunning manner. and
notwithstanding the vigilant watch which
was constantly kept over him and his AS
sociatcs, he shrcwdly managed to obtain
the tools wherewith to make the escape.
The chief instrument he used, was an in-
genious contrivance like a jackscrew,
with which he succeeded in loosening the
bars of his cell door. He had also pro-
duced several keys which after etfecting
an escape from his own cell he was to use
in letting loose his confederate David
Bartlett. How and when he came in
possession of these utensils is i mys-
terry.
The two prisoners occupied cells in
the first division of the old wing OF thc
prison, Bartlett No. ( and Simms No. IL.
Ii is presumed that there WAS 4 tacit un-
standing between them, rs 10 the mode
Of escape before their incarceration, even
ifthey had not privately meditated 1t be-
tween them in the still hours of the night
when their whispers along the corridors
could not be heard.
Having secured the desired implements
which were to be used in giving him free
dom, Simms now set upon tho work tor
his light. 1t was about 8 o'clock Satur.
day evening and the SKY being overcast
afforded propilious opportunity in his
favor to make his escape.
All now being in readiness the notori-
Gus convict commences his scheme Of
operations. The jackscrew is brought
into requisition and slowly but surely
does its work.
From appearances it does no. seem
that he experienced much trouble in this
his opening exploit. On the other hand
the bar furnishes indications Of having
been wrenchcd Is cas- lily rs so much pine
wood.
The work having been accomplished
Simms now steps quietly without his
cell. ll.--Stealthly, like Il cat, he creeps
along the corridor until he reaches the
cell occupied by Bartlett. Here he at
once makes himself known, and in the
most quiet manner possible entered upon
the work of unlocking his coyrere'S
cell. The keys soon accomplished tn
object. twas but the work of a moment.
The heavy iron door swung noisclessly
upon its hinges and in a twinkle Bartlett
emerged into the corridor.
Leaving tho corridor the two made their
way through scuttle to tho attic, and
from thence they crept to window from
which by the use of plank they reached
the top of the yard wall. They now for
the first time since their committal breathe
what seems to them TO be the air of
certain freedom. Bot the whole work
was not yet done. Their minds however,
were made up. With them it was "now
or never"
AS they stood on the wall in their parti-
colored clothing they looked down. To
the ground it was some fifteen feet. Be-
yond was road, and beyond that piece
of woods. If they could escape TO the
woods all would be well. The next
moment, and they had struck terra trina,
landing on their feet without scratch.
For the first time since their incarceration.
they now stand without the prison wall.
The road was clear. If they could escape
TO the woods beyond. unperceived or un-
heard by any sentinel. all perhaps would
be well.
There was no time for deliberatiOn.
That moment had passed. Bartlett who