The New York herald., 1873-11-20
The Convicted Murderer Of Robert I. Dunn
Makes His Escape from the .TOmbS
BE Walks Out in the Disguise Of a
Woman.
THE STORY OF HIS CRIME.
Interviews with the Warden and
Keepers.

About haif-past one O'Clock yesterday afternoon
william ]. Sharkey, the condemned murderer OF
Robert 8. Dunn, made his escape from the Tombs
in the disguise Of woman.
william j. Sharkey had been confined in the
Tombs prison since September 1872 and mad been
subjected to the regular prison discipline. He was
allowed, some six months ago. great many privi-
leges, such as walking in the yard the tiers &c.
Notwithstanding all the enIency that was shown
him. he was continually lnsolent and abusive to his
keepers and about four months since he became
violent in his demonstrations that Warden Johnson
ordered that he be locked up and put in close con-
nnement. Since the middle Of July last Sharkey
has not been allowed to even walk on the
tier and all communications have been addressed
to him through the grating OF the cell aoor. Much,
therefore, the surprise OF all the persons con-
nected with the Tombs Prison, either officially or
otherwise, when the news went forth
that Sharkey had escaped-Sharkey who
had dened keepers, wardens, commissioners,
and every Official with whom he came In contact
and who was in durance vile and dire disgrace,
had yet outwitted all, and in spite Of the utmost
surveillance had walked out through the army
OF his guardsmen in the broad light OF day.
THE STORY OF HIS ESCAPE
is as follows:-At ten O'Clock in the morning
Miss Maggie Jourdan, who has visited Sharkey
appearance at the Franklin street entrance,
and was as usual admitted to see
her friend, the escaped prisoner She went to his
CELL which is the second tier No. 40, and talked
to him through the grating for about two hours.
At half-past twelve Mrs. Wesley Allen,
wife OF Wesley Alien, who was lately
sent to Sing Sing for six years on
charge OF burglary, made her appearance at the
Franklin street entrance. She asked to see
Warden Johnson and begged permission to be
allowed to visit friend Of hers named Flood.
Mrs. Allen had not visited the Tombs be-
fore since her husbands conviction War
den Johnson, however, granted the re-
quired permission and Mrs. Allen received
the usual ticket which each visitor has to show to
the several keepers on coming out of the prison.
Mrs. Allen was seen to go as far as Sharkey's cell,
have a somewhat protracted conversation with
Sharkey and Miss Maggie Jourdan, and
then proceed to the third tier cell s5, where
the man Flood was confined She remained there
till two O'Clock, when the gong sounds for the with
drawal OF all visitors Miss Maggie Jourdan, now
ever, left the prison yesterday at one O'Clock,
though she had never been known before by any
of the keepers to leave her friends cell until the
last moment. At halfpast one O'Clock
PECULIAR LOOKING FEMALE
passed down the corridor, through the two lower
gates and out the main entrance, passing three
men, whose acuteness is presumed to be almost
wonderful from their long and varied experience.
This peculiar looking female was dressed in
heavy black dress, of woollen material; wore
a black cloak across pair of very broad
shoulder, and mad on her head an Alpine hat GOV.
cred by thick green barege veil. This veil, all
the keepers allege, was kept close over her face
Keeper Fakner let this female pass, though he
says he was somewhat suspicious, and sent keeper
Jones to look after her. Oficer Doran, who pa
trols Franklin street, from Elm to Cen
tire, also noticed this peculiar female,
and thought there was something suspicious,
Keeper Jones went back to Keeper Falkner and
said it was all right. Officer Doran watched the
suspicious female, saw her run for Bleecker
street car and jump on board The officer said
that this peculiar looking female had on new
pair OF CATERS with
FRENCH HIGH HEELS,
and he was somewhat surprised to see the nimble
way in which sne alighted on a car which was
going at the time at considerable speed.
At five minutes after two O'Clock in the after
noon Mrs. Wesley Allen came to the main entrance
OF the Tomhs Prison, and was passing out with the
utmost nonchalance, when she was stopped
by Keeper Kennedy and asked for her ticket SRe
denly exclaimed, 81 have lost it; can't think
how either; put 1t In this pocket" pointing to
the FOB pocket other cloth sacque; Warden Johnson
Wesley AIlen to severe cross-examination as to
how and where she lost the ticket.
was sent through the prison to examine all the
cells, and in a few moments word came back to
Warden Johnson 70 that cen No. 20, Lately
rest by the Warden, and placed in
quite defiant, denied all knowledge OF Sharkey's
escape and told the Warden in very plain Ian
sns Ss ne a ne
Snarkey's cell was then visited and found
were thrown heedessly around the room, and on
a little shelf was found his black mustache still
wet with the lather. 1t was evident, therefore,
that he had shaved himself but few moments be-
fore his departure from his late residence. The ex
cltement IN the Tombs was intense when
s maSe i n h Tns n
fined there were many OF them very much elated
at the idea and though the keepers thought to
through the different cells. and Sharkey who some
time ago was looked upon with hatred, was now
Warden Johnson was occupied during the whole
OF yesterday afternoon in examining all the
Keepers connected with the jail. Even the women
VINO were In the naDt OF bringing Sharkey his
meals were examined, but nothing was elected to
positively prove any cousion on the part OF the
poets at least two OF his Keepers with being in
some way connected with the escape. The
vsar waden oeore nss psts so9nsy Alien p
three O'Clock. He made substantially
the same statements that he had already made to
endeavored to remind the Warden that he had
warned him some months to keep
SHARP LOOKOUT FOR SHARKEY,
as he would certainly endeavor to escape. the
Warden denied Mr. Aliens statement in
toto and said he never remembered re-
ceiving any such communication from him.
Later In the afternoon the Commissioner made his
appearance at the Tombs, and he also made per-
sonal investigation OF the case. There will be a
public examination before the Warden and all the
Commissioners.
Roundsman Dean, OF the Sixth precinct, jumped
gtar ar tnpa ain
half-past three O'Clock and asked the conductor II
that was not the car that passed the corner OF
Franklin and Elm streets at halfpast one. The
conductor answered that it was.
DO you remember tall woman, dressed In
black, getting on here 9v said the rouudsman. al
do remember somebody dressed in black,n said
the conductor; 'but that woman was a man,
and he got or at Walker street." This is the last
trace of Sharkey.
ACTION OF THE POLICE.
AS soon as the discovery of the escape was made
Information OF the event telegraphed to Super
intendent Matseu Police ueadnuartera LIE