Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-08-18
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GREAT EXCITEMENT AT SING
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Twelve Cohvicts Escape from the
Prison.
SING T

Sing Sing, N. Y, II. An extraordinary
affair occurred at Sing Sing to-day. At a
quarter before twelve, a tug boat having
canal boat in tow, and going north, was OBJ
served approaching the prison dock with con-
siderable rapidly. The guard warned the
pilot to keep off and the warning was needed
apparently. Notwithstanding the steamer
glided close to the pier. Immediately twelve
convicts, as if understanding the whole move
ment made a rush from their work, leaped
aboard the canal boat and ran pell NELL over
1t to the tug and into the engine room. The
engineer was dislodged and one Of the con-
victs 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 soon as possible, and many of
the regular prison guards rushed towards the
pier. They aimed their pieces at the convict
pilot and shouted for him to stop, but he
crouched down out of sight and the vessel
kept moving. Word was sent 10 Sparta
mile south, where a sailing vessel was pro-
cured and sent in chase. Childs of the prs-
on also started up the track to Sing Sing and
got sloop under way filled with armed men.
At this time the greatest excitement prevailed
as the news of the break became noised about
Sing Sing village, and hundreds of people
hurried to the river. One of the vessels sent
out to capture the convicts overhasled the
tug near Rockland, when the convicts took
to the small boats in the vicinity which some
boys had, and rowing quickly to the shore
escaped to the mountains. : One convict who
got into boat with a boy was pressed so
| close that he seized the boy and placed him
before him so that the guard would not Are.
The guard did fire, not at the escaping con-
vict however, but with the intention of intimi-
dating him, and cause him to surrender. He
| kppt n puJltnO MI raapboA
he Joined his associates. Mr.. Latin, inspec-
tor, states that the convicts are now in the
woods near Rockland, and says they will be
recaptured, as they are surrounded. 1t is
| believed that this affair was planned two
weeks ago by persons in New York City.
The tug boat was the Dean Richmond, Capt
Norton, and the engineer was a Mr.. Carroll.
boy was also on board named Farrell
Both are under arrest. The tug left New
York at halfpast six this forenoon. The
Captain says that two men hired him to come
to Sing Sing and convey load of furniture
to New York, and was to pay him seven dol
lars an hour. They hired him for the same
purpose fortnight ago and he came up, but
after landing the men said the furniture was
not ready and they would 60 back. They
paid the Captain one hundred dollars on
board the tug to-day, after the tug was cap
tured. There was found on board the boat
convicts clothing, number of false whskers
and moustaches, and several revolvers, which
were brought from New York. All the con-
victs had ample time to change their clothing
for the suits Brought up on the boat. After
the tug left the prison dock the escaping con-
vcts cut the canal boat loose so as to give
more speed to the vessel. soon as the af-
fair occurred all the convicts in the prison
were locked up, and every guardsman was
sent in pursuit. 1t 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
mountains on the west shore, before the con-
victs are captured. 7t4tFA'
a despatch has been received from Super
intendent Kelso stating that two men had
been arrested at Engleward, N. j., supposed
to belong to the gang which escaped. Before
dark tonight musketry firing was heard in
the direction of Rockland, on the west shore
and it is thought that an encounter has taken
place between the convicts and the pursuing
guards.