Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-08-18
SING SING.
Escape of Twelve COnyicts Supposed By
Conniyance of Outside Parties.

NEW YORK, August 17.-This after
noon a dispatch was received by Su-
perintendent KelsO, from the warden
Of the prison at Sing Sing, setting
| forth that while the steam tug Dean
Richmond was lying at the prison
dock, a number of conVicts went on
board and seized the boat before the
authorities could interfere. The con-
victs had OverpOWered the hands on
the boat and started down the river.
KelsO ordered a police boat to be sent
up the river, in search Of the Dean
Richmond. The steamer started in
search, but nothing has been heard
from the convicts or boat.
SING SING, n. Y, August l7.-An
extraordinary affair occurred at the
Sing Sing prison to-day, at a quarter
before two O'Clock. & tug boat hav-
ing a canal boat in tow and going
north, il was observed that il was
approaching the prison dock with
considerable rapidity. The guard
waved TO the pilot to keep off,and the
waving was needed, apparently, not.
withstanding the steamer glided to the
pier. Immediately twelve conyicts,
as if understanding the whole mOvef
ment, made rush from their work,
leaped on board the canal boat and
ran pell nell, over it to the tug and
into the engineroOm; the engineer was
OverpOwsred and Gne of the cDnYicts
dashed into the pilot house and took
charge OF the wheel. Immediately
the tug was headed for the west shore.
The alarm was given as quickly as
possible, and many regular prison
guards rushed toward the pier. They
aimed their pieces at the convict pilot
aud shouted for him TO stop, but he
crouched down out Of sight, and the
vessel still kept moving. Word was
sent to Sparta, one mile south, where a
sailing vessel was procured aRd sent
in chase. Childs, of the prison, also
started up the track to Sing Sing.
The tug boat was the Dean Rich
mond, and the captain a Mr.. NanhOn /;
the engineer was named Farrell.
There was a boy on board also named
Farrell. Both are under arrest. The
tug left New York at $3.50 this morn
ing. The captain says two men hired
him 10 come to Sing Sing and convey
load of furniture to New York; they
hired him for the same purpose a fort
night ago, and be came up, but after
landing the men said the furniture
was not ready, and they would 90
back. They paid the captain 800 on
board the tug to-day. After the tug
was captured there was found on
board cOnvicts' clothing, a number of
false Whisker5 and musiaches and
several revolvers, which were brought
from New York.
All the cOnvicts had ample time to
change their clothing for suits brought
up on boats. After the tug left the pris-
on dock, the escaping convicts cut
the canal boat loose so as to give more
speed to their vessel. As soon as the
affair occurred all the eonvicts in the
prison were locked up, and every guard
was sent in pursuit. It Is believed
that two Of the men, who planned the
escape, are in the mountains with the
cOnvicts. 1t is possible that desperate
fighting will take place In the noun
tains, on the west shore, before the
cOnvicts are captured. A slOOp was
got under way, filled with armed men.
One of the vessels sent out to capture
the cOnvicts Overhauled a tug near
Rockland, when the cOnvicts took to
small bosts in the vicincity,
which some boys had, and rowing
quickly TO the shore, escaped to
the mountains. One convict, who got
into the boat with the boy, was pressed
go close that he seized the boy and
Dlaced him before him, 50 that the
gnard would not fire. The guard did
Are. not al the escaping convict, but
with the intention Of intimidating
him and causing him to surrender.
He kept on pulling instead, and
reached the shore, where he gained
his associates. Latin, the inspector,
states that the eonvicts are now ia the
woods, near ROckland, and will be
recaptured, as they are surrounded.
II is believed that this affair was
planned two weeks ago by
persons In New York city.
A dispatch has been received from
Superintendent Kelso, stating that
two men have been arrested at EDgle-
wOOd3 n. J., who are supposed to be-
long to the gang which escaped before
dark Tonight. Musketry firing was
heard In the direction Of Rockland, on
TIE west shore, and it is thought that
An encounter has taken place between
the e0nvicts and the pursuing guards,
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