The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-17
FLIGHT OF JAIL BIRDS.
Another Batch Of COnvictS Escaped
from Sing Sing Prison.
The Fugitives Take to the Ice on the Hudson
River-How the Runaways Evaded volley
Of Musketry-Exciting Chase on the
Ice and Capture Of One Of the
Party-Description Of the
Mem Who Are at Large.

The present management OF Sing Sing Prison,
which changed from democratic to republican rule
on New Years Day, has thus far been singuarly
unfortunate. Last Sunday as already reported in
the HERALD, three Of the jail birds escaped under
circumstances which cast doubts on the integrity
of their keepers, and yesterday afternoon four
other desperadoes, in full view OF the armed
guards, committed themselves to the Ice on the
Hudson River and were soon lost to view, one of
them only having been recaptured up to late
hour last night. The fact that the river is
now frozen over, for the first time in twelve years,
explains, in a great measure, the daring feat &C.
complished yesterday; but, SO long IL the prOnun-
good so long will the worst enemies or the CON-
munity-men who have forfeited their liberty to
outraged law-be afforded ample opportunity Of
defying prison bolts and bars In Sing Sing Prison
especially change of administration is always
looked forward to with hopeful anxiety by the in
mates, who never iail to take advantage of the
INExPERIENCE OR INCOMPETENCE,
as the case may be- OF their new cust0dians. Again.
the site is altogether unsuitable for prison purposes
glance at Its cOntguiy to the river will suffice to
convince the most unsOphisicated that there is no
such feature as security in its aspect Indeed, as
the prison is situated the wonder is that escapes
are not more frequent, especially since it would not
be deemed lucrative to appoint Keeper for each
one OF the 1000 cOnvcts.
Owing to a dense fog which prevailed yesterday,
and which almost completely euvelOped the ice
covered bosom of the Hudson, Warden Hubbell
took the precaution OF keeping ali OF the convlcts
engaged at outdoor work in their cells. The Only
men not locked up were those employed in the
various workshops connected with the prison. AS
the fog became more Intense towards the afternoon
the warden about Two O'Clock ordered the princi-
pal keeper to have all the convicts who were not
locked up, marched Immediately to their cells. While
this mandate was being compiled with, four con-
vcts, named respectively Daniel Bland John
Marion, Andrew Reilly and Charles Wilson, all en-
plOyed In the buckle shop,
SPRUNG FROM THE RANKS
and jumping from the dock to the ice below set out
on lively run toward the opposite shore distance
Of perhaps two miles. Scarcely had the ugitives
reganed their feet before dozen loaded carbnes
were levelled and discharged at them but without
eject, however, as they continued their race
FOR LIBERTY OR DEATH.
One Of the guards, Jeremiah Raymond seeing the
turn affairs had taken, threw Off his coats. ana,
seizng his carbne, taking to the Ice, singled cut
Wilson for his man. and at once gave chase to that
middle OF the river Raymond fired at the
flying convict which, instead Of bringing the latter
to- only served to accelerate his speed. After
chase Of over two miles on the ice, however, Ray
mond run down his man and escorted him back in
triumph to his Old quarters. Those who were
present when Wilson was returned say that lie
presented
TRULY PITIABLE ASPECT
With hardly a breath left in him, through
son wore an appearance Of utter, hopeless
ness, and thoroughly alarmed for the conse
qaences Of his rash ACT glanced apPeaagy
find some one to befriend him. To Warden Hub.
bell he said in tones which indicated unalloyed
despair ~ have been foolish SIR but 1t is tso late
now for me to offer any excuse for my conduct"
He was taken away to receive the punishment due
1t ought here to be stated that in the buckle shop
where the four convicts named above worked are
.ICH sPURsn OR ''CREEPERs,n
which all of the four, except Wilson, had fastened
TO their shoes, thus giving them decided advan-
tsge over their pnr sue wilson Wien captured
close pursuit preventing him from using them.
large force OF guards started after
THE FLEEING CONvICTS,
and kilograms were despatched to various points.
but owing to the prevalence OF the fog and the ap-
pronch OF night the pursuit was not considered
likely prove successful in regard to the remain
ing three. Among the additional precautions taken
by Warden Hubbell to prevent further escapes on
day be stationed on the frozen surface of the river
at some distance from the prison. The guards in
these will be armed with muskets containing buck
shot; they will also be provided with carbines and
revolvers, with orders to shoot down the first
Wet who tries 10 escape.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUGITIvEs
The following is the descriptive list OF the con-
victs who escaped yesterday, as obtained by a
HERALD representative at the prison last night
154 pounds; forid omplexon, light brown hair,
blue eyes: has slight scar over left eye; has on
inside OF right forearm figures '53" and inside OF
left "12' In India ink; born In New York aged
twenty and had father living at 4l6 West Twen-
teth street, New York; pleaded guilty to burglary
in the first degree and sentenced January IL, 1871
to nine years Imprisonment by Judge Bedford.
John Marion five feet six. and One-half inches
high weight, 143 pounds; compile yiOn forid brown
hair, blue eyes; has on lett forearm ndstinct
marks in India ink, and a scar from cut on left
side Of lower jaw born in England; aged nineteen;
at time OF arrest lived on FOrtysixth street. near
avenue A, New York; convicted OF burglary Janu-
airy |, 1870, and sentenced by Recorder Hackett to
five years. Imprisonment.
Andrew Reilly, five feet seven and three-guarter
inches high weight, 147 pounds iorid complexion.
black hair, blue eyes; has scar on right side OF
face, near nose; on inside of right forearm cross
fenced April 9, 1871, by Recorder Hackett to I'M
prisonment for i've years.
Thrilling Narrative OF James Brady's
Escape-Wandering COatless in Mid
Winter-Perils From Cold and Starva-
tion-His Reeapture.
PoUGHKEEPsIE, Jan. 10, 1873.
The arrest Of James Brady, the horse thief, who,
with wilson, the bank robber, and De Leon,
escaped from Sing Sing Prison last Sunday night,
was, az already stated effected at two O'Clock this
morning. Bradys story Of the escape is full OF In
terest He says that he accidentally stumbled into
the information that Wilson and De Leon intended
to leave the prison. Wilson, seeing that Brady had
got into the secret, urged him to keep
ouiet saying it would do him no good
to "squeal," and afterwards urged Brady
to Join them. The latter very foolishly consented