The New York herald., 1872-12-26
BREAKING BONDS.

Daring Attcmpt to Burst Jail-Cutting
Through . WalI-Caught 1T the Mo-
ment OF Success-Instruments Supplied
by Confederates.
One OF the most daring attempts to break prison
that has occurred in the history OF this city took
place at twenty minutes past five last evening"
Jefferson Market was the scene OF the Grnemte, and
that prison is considered one OF the safest in this
city. The near success OF the operations OF the
prisoners who sought to escape from durance vile
plainly demonstrates, however, that the edinces
built to contain prisoners are unstable and utterly
unified for the purpose to which they were de-
signed.
:. The facts are these:-Matthew Busey, noted
rowdy and Iallbird. shot James Burns, the keeper
OF house Of prostitution, 13s Greene street, on
December O. and was convicted the next day by
Judge Cox. He was placed in cell No. !, ana there
was considered safe. Last evening Keeper Ken
nedy heard q suspicious sound proceeding from
the cell in which Busey and an attenuated specimen
OF humanity, committed for minor offence were
confined. Kennedy jumped up at once and secreted
q pistol in his pants pocket. lie called on Mr..
Houtalng to lend him a hand II required. and that
gentleman, who was present. instantly acquiesced.
The sound emanated from cell No. !, and thithcr
the Keepers proceeded,
vi EFT ARMS.
Kennedy secured Busey, and then 1t was discov-
cred that the culprit by aid OF crooked jimmy
eighteen inches in length, skate blade and .
quarter-in square file. and OF beautiful temper,
had succeeded In penetrating through the inner
wall OF their cell, making hole about twenty
inches by seventeen in diameter, to within
one bricks distance from the exterior OF the wall.
The prisoners had carefully disposed OF the plaster
OF Paris and debris of their excavations in paper
bags, which they loosely slowed away beneath the
ned and which they concealed with the mattress
and blankets, carelessly disposed. The prisoners
would have been easily able to pass through the
hole In the wall. After that they would have had
TO scale q wall over the kitchen, pass over
SPIKED RAILING,
and drop upon roof, from which they might have
readily gained the street. Had 1t not been Tor the
energy and promptitude displayed BY the
custodian Mr.. Kennedy, and the clerk,
Nr. Houghtatng, the prisoners would GER
is they safely ironcd in separate cells. and all
doubts to their obtaining an illegtimate exodus
from the places where they are "cothned, cribbed
and conflnedu are small indeed. .1s NJ
. The cell in which the two would-be fug1ttves RON
Justice were confined is an apartment in the imme
1iate vicinity of the ron-barred portal which leads
TO the terrace, on either side OF which the cells are
located. There Is an iron bedstead, with straw
mattress and rug carelessly disposed upon 1t
1t was the bedding which served to conceal tht
operations OF the two men. The tools with which
fhe prisoners worked were doubtless conveyed u
them by
1855 FEMALE FRIENDS
many or whom, women OF very questionabl
character, have lately visited them. Male visitor
to the prison are always searched, but the keeper
and wardcns feel, out OF their innate modesty
doubtless Discrimination to penetrate the hidde
mysteries OF the fairer sex. Ii women searcher
were appointed there would be less chance Of til
escape oil criminals. .4-f.a.H q