The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-05-18
One OF Boards Comrades sInterylewed''-
How Beard Escaped from the Richmond
Jail.
Special Correspondence Lynchburg News.
prNcoyD Vo Ma, OIL, 1871


Jail.
Special Correspondence Lynchburg News
RINaoLD, Va, May 9th, 1871.
Editor Nesos; Thinking might interest some
of your readers by giving short sketch of my
trip to New Ferry, and interview with Halle,
who, with Lucen Beard and Watson, escaped
from the Richmond Jail short time since, at
o'clock this morning boarded the down train OF
Ringold and passing an hour in the car stepped
s.otf:' at News Ferry Here found Halle fast
to the iron grales over the window, by means OF
a chain passing around his neck, secured by a
lock, and around two Of the bars composing the
CRATE, and secured by two other locks.
Beard and Halle "turned up in the neighbor-
hood few days ago at his (Beards) father in
laws, Mr.. Warren, and were seen by some one.
At night the house was surrounded by party OF
men, who, owing to doubts entertained by them
of their being in the house and the inclemency OF
the weather, dispersed without searching for
Beard and his companion. Next day two young
men happened to meet up with them, and sue
ceeded in capturing Halle Beard, by an extra
ordinary use Of his legs, made his escape.
Watson was at the time separated from Beard
and Hazle, trying to secure horse $50 stated
Hazle.) Beard and Watson were to meet between
Ringold and Danville ON Wednesday night, one
hour after the 10 o'clock train blew its whistle at
Ringold; pass through Danville that night, 60 on
into North Carolina, secure 5000 in specie held
by some old man up there; leave money with a
friend for Boards wife to follow, and then make
cir way into Tennessee. The following are the
questions asked Halle by your correspondent and
O synopsis of his answers;
| Q. Did Beard write letter to the Enquirer
after lie escaped from prison A. He did not
was with him all the time after we got out. We
passed out of Richmond on the northeast side
| then made circuit around the north side unit
! we struck the Richmond and Danyille railroad
We came up that road to News Ferry on foot
travelling only in the day time We passed Clio
YER one at time.
O. Did you find any Difficult y to get out of pris
| on? A. OF course we did.
Q. Did you use the plank much? A. Only q
| the outside door,
O. Who planned the escape? A. Watson plan
ned the opening of the cell door; Beard the rest
O. How did you use the plank at the outel
| door? A. To wrench off the iron bow-shapet
rod on the outside of the door.
| O. How did you get through the door itself
To this he would not give any direct answer On
ly if they had had all the tools in the hardware
store they could not have opened it,
| @. How much did it cost you to get out ? A
Beard told me he was out 5000 in cash, besides
telling whore 10 or co., 1 forget which, horses
were, for which a reward had been offered.
@. l have heard you had lived in the North
A. I have been living in Ohio every year sine
the surrender, from about the LIST of March til
| Christmas.
He says he is FIVE feet ten and q half inche
high, and weighs from IT'S to 179 pounds. His
| complexion is rather light, inclining to red. Hi
hair is beginning to turn gray. He says he lief
North Carolina where he formerly resided, be
cause he got hard name and wouldn't 1--we ther'
any longer.
About 10 o'clock again took the cars ant
passing through some very fine lands on Da1
river, reached Ringgold II o'clock.