Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-01-31
sam Lucas. the Burglar and Jail Breaker.

sam Lucas. the noted Jail breaker, who
escaped from the Bennington Jail about
four O'Clock, Friday morning, is such
noted desperate that he deserves more than
mere mention lie was born in Washing
ton county. New York, and Is about fifty
wears Of age. His father was a noted Grim
inal, and served several terms in State
prison. lie was last sent 10 the Vermont
State prison, at Windsor, for stealing
drove of cattle. He found the cattle in
pasture at Arlington. Vt. drove them to
Albany, and sold them. For this he was
sent to prison, and died there. lie had
also served terms in Clinton prison.
sam Lucas, the son. was noted in his boy
hood for his miSchieyous piliering. He first
distinguished himself by breaking into a
store at White Greek, Washington county.
New York, and was sent to Clinton prison
for this offence. He served his term, and
soon after found himself in Vermont State
prison, at Windsor. for Il second offence
that was detected and punished. At this
time, he went under the name Of George
Curtis About ten years ago, he broke into
the store of Hurd S Young. at West Ar
lington, Vt, and stole a quantity of furs,
clothes, etc The furs he sold to Mr.
Seller, Of Troy. Lucas was arrested and
tried at Troy. and was sent 10 Clinton prison
for four years. After serving his time, he
was taken in charge by a Bennington officer,
oman indictment charging him with burglary
at Hurd a NOung's store. While at Rut-
land, going from the cars 10 the Bardwell
House, only short distance, althOsgh he
was handcufied, Lucas slipped from the
officer in the darkness and escaped He
stole horse in the vicinity and went to
Salem, and disappeared. He was soon
ri "A faf { I a.
fall horse was stolen from Mr. Mclean at
jackson, Washington county. Ii WAS
tracked to Vermont, where the horse was
found with his throat cut and the wagon
burned. rs Lucas had been seen in the
vicinity he was arrested, but the proof vas
not sufficient to hold him when arraigned ut
Cambridge and he was discharged. He
was then handed over to the Vermont OH
GERS on the old indictment for breaking
into IIurd x Young's store at Arlington,
and was placed in the Bennington Jail.
This was in December last After being
in Jail for two weeks he sawed OF the bars
of his cell with an eating knife and bad
almost made his escape. when prisoner
named Covery, who IS in jail for murder,
informed the jailor. Handouts were
procured and Lucas was ironed. Yesterday
morning ut four o'clock COyery, shouted to
found that he had pushed back the bolt Of
his cell with a piece of iron and had thus
obtained entrance to the corridor An old
hue for the entrance of the heating pipes
into the corridor had been brieked up and
surrounded by heavy iron bars. Lucas dug
out the bricks and mortar. sawed off the
bars and then got into the basement and from
thence easily into the street. Last year Bis
sci, another prisoner, escaped through the
same fue, and subsequently the place was
brieked up and protected with iron bars. as
already mentioned.
Sheriff Crofut, Of Bennington county,
offers liberal reward for the recapture Of
Lucas. He is about 5 feet "a inches in
height, stoop shoulders, wore dark clothes,
thin face, and never looks man in the eye ;
wore chin whiskers while in jail, and is
about fifty years old, and generally calls
himself Curtis" Lucas has spent eigh-
teen years of his life in States prison, and
is desperate and hardened man. Fetters,
iron bolts, and bars or prison walls are
laughed at by him-Troy Press, Jan. ls.