The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-03
Four Desperadoes Seize Loco
motive and Escape.
pERILOUS POSITION OF AN ENGINEER
Unsuccessful Hunt for the Fugi-
tive Jail Birds.


sircct violation to the orders of the company when
passing that institution Keeper James Jackson from
his seat in the reception room, the train
rom the upper arch at the time mentioned and in
instant aiierward observed three four convcts jump
on board the locomotive, which numbered 1906 and
IN charge OF Engineer William Powell
promptly given, but unfortunately too late to be
II any material service A second or two only were
required for the locomotive reach the lower arch
Nay, which is about 200 feet in length and here the
ronvics continued to detach the engine from the
nainder of the train 1t may here be stated that the
gang OF desperadoes who planned the escape numbered
SIX two OF them apparently being assigned the task
Of uncouplng tho locomotive. This work they
did with the rapidty OF experts, for which,
however, they were rewarded by being
left behind the train owing to one OF the jabirds
on the engine having pulled wide the throttle valve,
causing 1t to bound away full speed No had
the locomotive passed under the archway referred to
than II into full view OF the watchful sentinels
stationed the south guard post, who distinctly saw
four convics in prison garb the flying engine and
despite the fact that the engineer and hrcmen were
also on the cab
THEIR rifles
and commenced firing the party. Tho engineer,
fearful OF being shot, let himself down ON the step OF
of that side Of the locomotive which arthcst
away from the bullets supporting himself by hang.
ing TO .thc guard Seeing him in this position.
and while the lcadcn missiles whizzlng over
and around, of the desperadoes drew a
revolver, and pointing downward toward the place
where Powell croucnpg deliberately fired at him.
the bail passing through the woodwork of he cab in
close proximity his head Another OF the fugitives
then addressing himself TO the engineer. said "You
son Of BIB got inside here and attend to this engine
or III have your lfen AS there was no alternative
the engineer complied, doubtless feeling little more
secure, as they had by this time passed
BEYOND THE RIFLES
OF the south guard post Accordingly the ail birds
compelled Powell to carry them at a full head of
steam down to point about three miles below the
prison and opposite thick grove known as Fremont's
Woods. Hero they caused the engineer to halt. and
hastily leaving the locomotive. they disappeared in
the thicket The engineer then backed up
his locomotive, connected IL with the train
and proceeded his journey. The two
less fortunate Jail birds, who deprived OF the
qualification OF leaving the prison by rapid transit
owing to the selfshness haste of their associates In
crime also by OF the prison officers as
the train, detached from its propcllng power moved at
q comparatively tardy pace to the southwark
of the prison. These were considered dead
game number OF guards started at
ull speed alter these fellows and reached the
OF mile below, and almost the same timc tina, tho
brace of disappointed criminals had left hem one OF
them had, however,
MS TINE
and was already dressed in partial suit OF citizens
clothing composed OF black pantaloons and vest white
undcrssirtand straw hat Seeing this nonchalanty
moving in the vicinity of the train a guard
who was not familiar with his features, suspected him.
and, drawing his revolver, told him he must ac
company him to the prison The convict on beholding
the weapon, threw up both hands, cxcia,rinr
81 surrender; I'll go back. - This man proved
to be John Murphy, somewhat troublesome
customer in the prison. His companion in
disappointment Francis began, was captured
by the other guards in tho immediate neighborhood
cw minutes later IL is believed that Murphy had The
citizens clothes underneath his convicis when
he left the prison. the striped garb ho wore was
found on tho track near the spot where he cup-
tured
DESCRIPTIVE LIST or rmr FrGIrryrs
James carpcnter-Rercived from New York was born
Carpenter. hvcs at No % Clinton street. was
living there at tho time OF arrest; stature
air; eyes. gray; ham brown; has on back Of right
wis, the figure ''2'' in India ink found guilty or
burglary in the third degree sentenced September
10, 1878, for i've years by Recorder Hackctt
James Farrell, alias James Northumberland from |
New forS; aged twenty; born IN New York; single;
mother Mary, lives at No 20l East Fory-sxth street.
sas living there NJ the time OF arrest: stature
lcct SO inches; wcghs, l4a pounds complexion 1nrd
aud frecked; hair. rcd eyes, hazel has The letters II
r.. on right forearm aud shield with The figures 53i
on cit arm. Convicted OF attempt burglary in the
nrsi degree and November l3 1872 for ten
years by Judge Bedford
John Quinn-Rcccived from New York; aged twenty: |
in New York; sngic lived IN Thirty eighth |
street between First and second avenues at The time
81 arrest; stature feet inches weight 1876 rounds
s,sap light; bar, light brown; eye-,
and one on left sdo OF neck; inside right
forearm dancing girl in India ink; letters M. b.
"a .fto
rrnchx'on on back Of hand ship. Confessed 10
manslaughcr in FIRST degree and sentenced October J.
$50. ior 1fcon years by Judge Ineraham
Frank Woods. atlas Frank McKcnna, received from
New York. aged twenty eight; married. wfe. Mary
nvc feet five and half inches weight I3l pounds
complexion fair eyes gray hair black has outside o.
has scar on outside 81 Loft hand by thumb olnt con
fcsscd 70 burglary in tho third degree and sentenced
Angus, & 1874. lor i've years by Recorder Hackctt
NO sooner bad the locomotive carried It's load
beyond the prison grounds than word their escape
was tclcgraphcd IN all directions. force Of ten or
iwcvc prison officers started OF in pursuit, in
wagons and others foot Most OF these
hook 10 the woods, following tho direction in
which tho runaways would most likely 20
As II is seldom considered sale for orc Of
ihc prison officials TO follow single handed two or
more convics. especially when they are known 10 be
armed, the prisoners yesterday generally went in
tours One of these parties OF four 90; on board the
locomotive and were taken by the engineer speedily
A. possible down the road 10 the spot where he had
hidden
GRATIFYING FAREWELL
fneSc
Halls at length iound themselves a mile eastward
rom the railroad trnck and point where the Gro
on aquednct crosses the sleepy Hollow road Hero i
they met TWO citizens, who informed them that ibrcc
suspicious looking mcn-two OF them IN citizens
tress, tho other hsving pair OF dark panaloons
and a check shirt. but without coat. crossed The
tqucduct. proceeding IN an castcrly dirccton about
twenty minutes previously. The guards followed the
way indicated for several miles. and length made n
iciour. through sleepy Hollow TO Tarrytown whore
Ihc chase was abandoned they having been enable 10
scc or hear anything further OF the escaped conNcis
From this IL would appear that tile iugtWcs Y
must have separated during their tramp through Ere.
mont's Woods and from this circumstance il = in
TERED that the fourth convict being unable discard
his prison suit, walled himself of the friendly shelter OF
The until the darkness Of light would fAciatchis
escape Reports having reached farfytown about nine
O'Clock that two 81 The convicts who left locomotive
nai jumped into n small boat, which they onnd lying
AspsnwalIs dock, aud rowing with all their
might the opposite side OF the river Tho prospect
ot trdng nlty dollar notes (that beng tho amount
offered for the capture Of escaped convcsl floating
the Hudson occas .oncd quite