New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-04
PRISON ESCAPES CHECKED.

DISCOVERY or THE MANNER IN WHICH SING SING
CoNvICTs EsCAPE-ARREsT OF SEVERAL ACCOM-
PIJCEs-A MANUFACTURER OF BURGLARS TOOLS
TRAPPED By DETECTIVES
Prison escapes from Sing Sing have been
very frequent during the past year, more especially
within the last six months. and among the more prom
nent OF those who succeeded in regainng their liberty
soon after being sentenced to long terms OF mprson
ment are "Jin" Brady, Jim" Hope, and med"
vons viced Of burglary, and who. since their
cape Sing Sing have been again convicted and I'M
prisoned this time, for bank robbery in Delaware;
Jobn Miller also convicted OF burglary who was recap
iured and returned to Sing Sing; John Keefe. alias
Johnny the Greek" a noted piokpocket, and W. Z.
HARRISON alias Frost" and others 1t was believed
by Warden Hubbell that the prisoners received
assistance from persons this city, from the fact that
in nearly every instance the keys and other tools with
which the prisoners aided In escaping came from
New-York Warden nubbell consulted with Superin-
tendeut Matse the latter directed Capt Irving to
work ND tho case. Capt. Irving associated with him
Detectives Sampson ana Farley. They ascerained that
the persons engaged in the work Of lberstng the ps-
oners went from this city the to Tarrytown land
from there proceeded by OF smal boat TO Sing
Sing The tools planted In convenient
spot outside the prison One or more of the guards
were then brbed and theitoos were conveyed to the
convict for whom they Intended by some OF the
amnloves inside or by some who allowed 10 20
ingi
picou II was also ascertained that the tools were
manufactured by John stuerer, q German mechanic,
dony husiness at No lG6 Hester-st. Tie tools were
ordered by a woman named Elizabeth Porter alias THY
Miller The Impressions Of the keys wanted were taken
in wax by the prisoners or their accomplces and de-
Uyered to Stuerer, and the keys manufactured from
them. The larger tools were made from drawings.
Whom finished they were delivered to the woman
at q place before ingreed upon, stuerer being
maid n considerable sum for his services These
were afterward taken to Sing Sing by David H. Street
alias Lewis and Henry Smith alias Smyth and de-
yered TO those who were ready TO receive them IN the
vicinity OF the prison. Smith the first man arrested,
and ne was locked up at Police Headquarters. Boon
aterward it was ascertaned by the officers that Stuerer
was makDg the tools. lie was visited Dy them III inc
character OF burglars They told stuerer that he bad
been recommended 10 them and engaged MN 70 MAKE
than an outfit OF burglars Tools lie agreed 10 90 So
and showed them certain Oh us INV So "op s a
been ordered by thieves In TINS ana otner cites SOME
OF the larger pieces OF work, consisting OF tckscre"s
combination jimmies ana otner afcaes .. ar5 a1h
we're very nne specimens OF manufacture anu MIN
them a heavy safe could soon be opened meanwhile
search was being made or anu a e Sa had ben
arrested at Lockport, n. " for smuggling goods from
Canada M1.se ,o 1
ict ufol ming him of the charge against them mere ne
received an answer yesterday from DisrictAttorney
Crowley stating that he was wiling 10 surrender ms
10 the officers nom the superintendent mlsu
send for them. stuerer was agaln caied on h 81
day In the course OF conversation with nun ne su,
mitted having made the tools used by the ma seu
burglars, and boasted that he was une1ceneu y, ,Is
line by any mechanic III the country sDaii n
RAM capable OF lifting 20 tons, he wouu MAJ III 80 -
combination Jimmy, iopr reef SIX n,bar artees '
jsck-screw. SIS; KEYS and otns, ao Gn ID, az
| proportionate rates. When he haa ehded MS
erpanalons the officers, 10 his intense surprise
announced their true character ana etueIer WIN the
burglars tools found Ia his place. were removed 10
SAMPSON and Farley will leave to-day for
Lockport to secure the prisoners held there The ev
against the accused Is very compete ine seatci
the conyicts BY receiving the tools inside the prison