The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-10-01
Jail Fsreaking-Four Prisoners Escape
from Portland Jail.


Last evening four prisoners confined in the
Jail in this city escaped from that institution
and are now at large Their names are Frank
lin NJ. Bickford, of Lebanon, noted burglar
and thief, just sentenced in the Supreme Court
at Alfred for burglaries; Obediah Lorette, of
Portland, arrested for escaping from prison
Martin Judge, of Biddeford, awaiting trial for
slight offence committed in York county, and
samuel ID. Haynes, of Bangor, sentenced in
the U. 5. District Court at that city.
The escape occurred about o'clock, and it
was planned and executed with remarkable
boldness. Judge appears to have been the
principal operator in the scheme, which was
doubtless suggested by Bickford. AS he was
awaiting trial on a charge of comparatively
slight magnitude, he was not so strictly con-
fined as his companions, and had considerable
liberty of the bdi.ding. AT intervals he had
obtained control over the lock on the door of a
debtors cell in the third story of the west wing.
This cell was not often used, and in it and oc-
cupying part of the space was a large cistern,
which extended up into the attic near the roof.
This was made of two inch plank and had not
been used for more than year on account of
The other three men were confined pretty close
ly and were let out from their cells only about
an hour every morning. The locks on the cell
doors are large spring locks covering a staple
in the wall, into which the bolt is sprung. By
the use of wooden wedges the springs were
prevented from playing, and although the cell
appeared to be locked the door could be opened
readily by the prisoner. When everything was
ready the prisoners quietly left their cells and
gathered in the debtors room mentioned. One
of the boards in the bottom of the cistern was
broken by some simple continuance, and the
men pulled themselves up into it. From thence
to the attic and the roof was a short journey.
On their way the prisoners cut the cords from
the windows and by means of these let them
selves out of the window to the ground and es-
capped. just before they left one of them went
down to the lower floor and filled his pockets
with apples. Some little boys who were in
confinement saw this movement and soon after
wards heard noise overhead and gave the
alarm
We understand that the attention of the
County Commissioners had been called to the
necessity of removing the cistern and making
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Judge is "a years old, 5 feet inches high,
dark complexion, brown hair, black mustache
and stout built
Lorette is q years old, 8 feet inches high
dark complexion, black hair and dark eyes.
Bickford is % years old, 5 feet 10 inches high
light complexion with light brown hair and
blue eyes.
Haynes is about II years old, light complex
ion, head shaved, feet inches high.
Bickford is noted scoundrel and one of the
shrewdest rascals in existence. He has broken
Jail repeatedly, and only few weeks ago es-
capped from Alfred Jail and gave the officers
long, hard chase At the last term of the Su-
preme Court at Alfred eight indictments were
found against him, on four of which he was
sentenced to fourteen years at Thomaston.
Sheriff Perry at once telegraphed in different
directions to officers to look out for the escaped
prisoners, and at the same time sent posse of
officers out from the city to search for them
A reward of $50 is offered for the apprehension
of each convict. This is the first escape that
has been made from the Jail since Sheriff Perry
has had charge and it is to be regretted by all
A VETERAN MILITARY CoMPANY.-Over
forty gentlemen interested in the formation of
a veteran military organization in this city met
last evening at the armory of the Mechanic
Blues for the purpose of taking the preliminary
steps. Chas. H. Haskell, Esq., was called to
the chair and Col. Rishworth Rich appointed
Secretary. The object of the gathering was
stated, and the steps already taken to secure
such an organization narrated. 1t is under
stood that over fifty names are already ENROLLED.
1t was voted to organize such a company, and
a committee, composed of Gen. s. j. Ander-
son, Col. Thomas A. Roberts, Col. Rishworth
Rich, Lieut. S. G. Strout and Lieut. Frank Pat
terson was raised to prepare code of bylaws.
There was good deal of informal debate in
regard to a uniform, whether the company
should be confined to Portland or embrace past
soldiers in all parts of the State. The general
expression was in favor of making it State
institution with headquarters in Portland, and
a majority of the gentlemen expressed them
selves favorable to a corps uniform; but no
binding action was taken. The meeting adj
journed for two weeks at the Infantry Armory,
the committee on bylaws being requested in
the meantime to procure additional names to
the list. 1t is proposed to enlist a battalion of
two or more companies from all parts of the
State, similar in construction and object to the
Ancient and Honorables of Boston, the Pha-
lanx of Hartford, &C., &c.
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