The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-05
JERSEYS jack SHEPPARD.
Caught on the Fly from the
Newark Jail.
Porter Pulled in Prison Catching Confederate
Cracksmen-Excitng Pistol Practice
with the Police.

The attempt of Billy Porter, the noted bur,,.,
and desperate, to escape from the Essex county
jail In Newark on Saturday, as briefly reported III
the HERALD yesterday, was no less daring than 4
was skilmlly planned The prearrangements were
Of the completest possible description and prove
that the Newark jail contains criminal the equal In
daring and devilish cunning of Jack Sheppard Of
Newgate notoriety. It turns out, too, that the
attempted escape resulted In producing excellent
fruit, forasmuch as Billy's confederates, also
noted cracksmen, were caught and safely Gagged
with him, as the narrative will show. Some three
weeks ago, as Chief Of Police CLASSIFY, Of
Newark states, his officers were apprised
from quarters they considered reliable that
plans were then Matching in New York for the res
cue OF Porter and Hersch Harris the noted
receiver, who Is said to have grown very wealthy
from the proceeds of his nefarious business. The
Chief in turn advised Colonel Johnson the Jail war.
den. The latter DOUBTED the matter, but
an o1icer to do nothing but patrol the streets
bounding the jail. On Friday Mr.. Glashy visited
the city and says he learned that now that the
attempt to get Porter and harris out fraudulent
bail had utterly failed the effort to clear them from
the clutches of the Jersey authorities would soon be
made. The prisoners friends, he was informed,
were ncrved to the very
DESPERATION OF DESPAIR.
On Saturday the Chief received additional ins
formation confirming the former and was told that
the attempt to break jail would be made that
night. He was well and accurately advised, as
subsequent events proved. About nine O'Clock,
accompanied by Lieutenant Kedwin Sergeants
Smith and Meldam and posse Of eight patrolmen,
the Chief started for the Jail. Arrived there the
men were stationed around and the Officers en-
tered. With Warden Johnson and Deputy George
the Chief proceeded to the cell Of Porter. The latter
advanced to the door. On entering the chief gently
told him to hold up his hands, and in few
seconds Deputy Johnson secured them with pair
of iron bracelets, vulgarly called handouts.
"Whats up ?" said Billy, with an air OF astonish-
ment. His face changed color and he trembled like
o leaf. He answered himself by significantly
muttering with venom and clenched teeth, "The
son Off b-h; knew he'd do 1t; twas he gev me
away"
tools for escape lay. His pistol unloaded, was CON
ceaed in the bottom of his cell bucket. supply
cts, to be used in case OF urgent necessity, as In
the case Of the jaler sporting him on
s eoS of stOs ne@en co1d bus
'Jmmy'' and his shoes. In answer to the Chiefs
request he pointed out three bars In his cen door
which were held together by short leather
tubes colored the same as the iron, ana
MIS- pl sGua was sn to DC ws until the
sentry was taking his customary midnight sneoze,
on the canal, saw through one bar, making room
enough for him TO squeeze out, and then he was
@ ms carsa re w ae
ing for him, with three friends in it.
'rHIs IS JERSEY, BILLY~
The fOed burglar was at once removed to the
'strong bOx OF the prison strongest cell In it.
AS he passed in the Chief remarked This is Jersey,
by God know it Is, to my SORROW" 1t Is not
likely that any further effort will be made by him or
os s S Be get secare and tne @
GERS are now, in doubt n his escape
turned States evidence against Harris and the
Krementz burglars and hoped to get of without
Being an accessory to the burglary but tho State
would only receive his plea Of being principal in
con @ he his e ne no tns beyond re-
THE CARRIAGE AND THE CONFEDERArEs.
Between ten and eleven O'Clock an empty open
street, one block from the jail. 1t was surmised
that its late occupants were. friends Of
and see il any one nee came "1 to take posses sI
sion, but no one appeared. Half an hour
street. He accosted him and soon learned from
the strangers lips that he was from New York.
marched him to the station with pistol Soa ana S
his head. On the way the prisoner delivered up his
own revolver He was safely lodged in the station
house, where he gave the name OF John Murphy.
He s said to be regular thief and burglar. Shortly
before twelve O'Clock Lieutenant Krwan and his
Observing the approach Of the police, who were
attired IN citizens clothes, the parties started to
run in different directions. One ran down Warren
street, the Officers after him: Several shots were
fired but no blood was spilled He would have got
away but for being intercepted by officers Taylor
and Freund, who with their clubs brought him to
terms. Just then valiant and veracious detective
ran up and bravey forced pistol into the mouth
of the secured and PROSTATE prisoner. The other
proved to be notorious New York thief, named
Patrick Carpenter, better known as ''Big Frank,
At the station house. On searched
intimate acquaintance with the New York police.
PORTERS CAREER.
The prisoner Porter has served two tie ms in
alter serving four years and ten months out Of FIVE
years In Boston lie broke open bank safe,
and is now wanted there TO stand
t trial I. .. on no less than ten 81 different Me
prison there while waiting to have anfexamnaton,
and has cost the authorities OF the Hub some five
thousand dollars In efforts to capture him, The
Chief Constable too, has agreed to pay $1,000 for
every year less than ten he will get In State Prison.
His prospects after Jersey gets through with him
are, therefore, not very bright. In person he Is
quite ine-looklng young fellow and rather stylish
deceitful they certainly are In his Case '.s-l-.
The immediate key to the Illustration of his
escape appears to have been mere accident. A feI-
low prison, confined for some tridng offence.
stopped to ak With Porter MS ~, CEN fo or
one Of the several bars secured by the leather
s1d d kake sk 4 hSs to r S9s %pssa
at the same tine gaye him ms h sav a' took II,
He peaoned on Porter, and besides the $40 was
low ow, being l ali but 6It Porter's wifi. ted him him
during the afternoon and is believed to have sup
piled him with some tools, which she had probably
concealed in her bosom.