Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-08-22
UNFORTUNATE OCCURRENCE.
Man shot az the Penitentinry by
one OF the Guards = The Guard
Makes His Escape.

early hour yesterday morning. The fatal
result grew out of circumstances and sur
roundings off singular and peculiar char
acter, which make livery lamentable in
deed. 1t will be remembered that some
time ago difficulty occurred in Giles
county between Mr.. Frank Hylinger and
another party, in which Hylinger stabbed
his antagonist with knife. cutting him
severely, though not dangerously. The
party soon recovered of his wounds
and resumed his regular avocations.
Hylinger was indicted on the
charge of malicious Nstabbing, and
recently had his trial before the CIR.
cult Court Of Giles county The trial
created good deal of interest, and the
prosecution and defense were ably and
vigorously conducted 1t resulted IN
conviction of the accused and a sen
tence Of two years in the State Peniten-
tiary. In accordance with this verdict,
Mr.. Parsons. the Sheriff of that county,
accompanied by young man as assist
ant reached the city Friday night with
the prisoner for the purpose OF incar-
ceratiag him in the prison. The stab
bling, it is averred, occurred under very
strong. propagation. At the time the
sentence was passed many Of tine hrst
men in Giles county signed petition to
Governor Senter for his PARDON we be-
lieye the iurymen themselves who gave
the verdict Joined in the petition, A
number of these friends visited the Cap.
itol Yesterday morning with view of
having the pardon granted before he
should be incarcerafed or be enrolled
on the felon's register. Hylinger came
to the city practically with the sheriff and
cnjoyed the liberties of the hotel, mani
Testing no disposition to escape. Very
early Yesterday morning Sheriff Par
sons. with Hylinger and the young man
in his company, repaired 10 the peniten-
tiary. They reached the building before
six o clock and before the eonyicts had
been turned out of their cells. Mr.
Chumbley, the Warden, was not in his
Office at the time, though he was about
the building. Sheriff Parsons stated TO
the guard at the gate that as they had
to wait few minutes for the Warden,
and as the young man with him had
never seen conYicts coming from their
cells. be would like to be permitted,
with his prisoner and the young
man. 10 enter the Enclosure. This !
was readily granted. About the time
the party entered the yard, Mr.. Chumb- |
lev entered his office, and took seat
beside a grated window overlooking the |
prison yard, as is his custom Of morn
ings during the time the conviets are
being turned from their cells. After he |
had seated himself, the guard at the gate |
told him new convict had arrived, and /
pointed out Hylinger as the man. Mr.. !
Chnmbley called to him, and Hylinger |
came to the window, and the two en-
tered into conversation through the |
CRATES of the window. Mr. Chumbley |
asked him the nature Of his offense,
and how long the term Of the sentence
was. he never having heard Of the |
peculiar surroundings of the case.
HyIihger used insulting language, and
passed through the gate /
into the Enclosure, and going up to
him told him where he was and that he
must behave himself AT this Hylinger
showed fight, and made demonstrations
10 draw his coat. Chumbley then gath
cred him and threw him down for the
purpose Of securing him. Seeing the
two tusling on the ground, Mark l..
Phelps, one Of the guards, rushed mp
and punched Hylinger with the point Of
his umbrella, and commenced kicking
him. Chumbley ordered him to desist.
Phelps continued the kicking, however.
Chumbley then arose TO make him stop
his blows. Hylinger also Immediately
rose to his feet. No sooner had he
risen than Phelps drew his pistol
and placing the muzzle close to his
head fred. The ball entered near
The center of the forehead just be-
low the lobe of the brain, ranging
through, and inficting a mortal wound.
Chnnbley at once ordered that no one
be allowed to pass the gates While he
and the sheriff and his companion were
making their exit however, through the
hospital Phelps passed out through the
gate and made his escape. Meantime
Hylinger had fallen where he was shot.
DR.. Atchison was quickly summoned,
could be done Hylinger was
to the prison hospital yester-
lay evening in a dying condition, not a
particle Of chance existing for his re-
covery.
Phelps had been o guard for twenty
years at the Institution, and bis conduct
IS regarded as most unaceountable. He
had not been captured last night. The
Governor has offered a reward OF two
hundred and fifty dollars for his appre
hension. II captured, as he no DOUBT
will be, he will be turned over to the
civil authorities for trial The lnspee
tors are determined that the whole mat
ter shall be thoroughly investigated, and
that full justice shall be meted out. The
affair in all its aspects is an exceedingly |
one, and is deeply deplored
by all.