The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-06-02
A Brothers. Devotion.
The Attempt to Secure the Escape Of
Flynn, the Murderer.

There was tragic episode in the
case Of the California murderer Flynn,
alias Mortimer, which brought to light
the family affairs OF the unfortunate
Mortimer. II cost the life OF his broth
er and gaye,touching proof OF powerful
iraterual affection. There arrived from
the Eastern States, by PACING railroad,
ut Sacramento, on the 9Th OF April,
three weeks after the conviction Of Nor
timer, young man who registered at
the City Hotel, rs ~. Il. Williams,
Jersey City" He was under mediNm
size, not very stout built, with brown
hair and mutton.chop whiskers. His
general appearance was that OF a highly
respectable man, aud his likeness TO
Mortimer WIS plain to be seen. BE
hHd plenty Of mohey and was frequent
~ TO be observed in the saloons, and
becoming laxative, often spoke Of Nor
timer. The stranger said thecondemned
man was innocent, and on one occasion
he pulled out o bundle OF papers, re!
marking that they contained everything,
and that in q few days the prisoner
would DO at liberty. He admitted in
confidence he was Mortimer's brother.
He was permitted TO visit tho jail on
several occasions, but was not allowed
to have any conversation with the pris.
oner. He was noticed to gaze tixedly
Of Mortimer in his cell, but not o word
passed between them. Between two
aud three o'clock on the morning of
April l6 q loud ringing OF the bell Mt
the jail door Rwoke the keeper, and,
with cooked pistol In hand lie went
cautiously to the door. II was moon.
light, and there was nobody visible in
the yard. He advanced toward the
gate and suddenly saw o man, wearing
a coat inside out, and with a handker.
chief bound around his head. The
keeper instantly fell on his knee and
fined. The ball took effect In the breast
OF the intruder He fred again, and
this time the shot entered his mouth.
The man, after being thus twice wound.
cd, ran into the jail, and after going
round the tier OF cells, stopped in front
Of Mortiinet's, reached his hand through
the iron grating to its inmate, who
clOsped it, and his brotherfell n corpse.
The guest Of the City Hotel had pro.
cured a ladder, with which no scaled
the walls Of tho prison, and by means
OF q line had descended to the yard.
His object was to effect the release Of
Mortimer, and he made the reckless at
tempt without any confederates. On
his person were found two pistols, one
Of which he had purchased few dayt
before; q dirk, diagram Of the interi'
or OF the jail and a badge OF the Grand
Army Of the Republic. On lis arm
were tho words, William ]. Flynn,
Lynn, Mass" There can be little
doubt that Mortimer recognized hii
brother, and was aware Of his intention
TO seek bis release. The prisoner hat
on his boots when the firing took place
and expressed indignation at the shoot
! ing OF Ills brother, and asking why th,
officers, knowing him to be proNlint
around the Jail, and that his suspicion
character was subject Of town talk ii
Sacramento, had not arrested him.
Mortimer made another visit to thu
Coroner's office. On reaching the rough
coffin he instantly recognized tho re
mains, and, after looking Tonga earn
estly upon the cold, stark, contracted
features of the deceased, placed hi
hand ahectionately upon the corpse
and exclaimed, Eyes, that's my young
or brother, and he was twenty.nin,
years old last Christmas. had no
seen HIM for sixteen years sntil b,
visited me in the jul n few days since.
The body was furtheridenti6ed by Nor
timer by tile mark OF wound on til,
forehead, inflicted by stone he threw
one day years ngo, and by the disloca
ton Of q finger, which happened whel
he was boy. The Cononer's jury &C
quilted the keeper OF all tlame for til,
killing Of William j. Flynn. On Nor
timers arm appear the letters, marked
with India ink, two Ms and m F, leav
ing no doubt Of the family name being
Flynn: Further developments hayl
shown that he had four brothers, ant
that their original residence was Lynn
Mass, where they were all born.