The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-24
ESCAPED PRISONERS.
COUNTY ADVANTAGEOUS ASSAULT ON
KEEpFR-THREE FCGITIyys REcApruRED

SIX DEsPEEADos BREAK OUT OF WESTMINSTER
COUNTY JAIL-MURDERoUs ASSAULT ON
KEEpER-THREE FUGITIvKs REcApTUREp.
A daring scheme concoctei among some of the in
mates OF the westchester County Jail, at White Plains
and having for object their escape from that institu
ton, boldly executed shortly after six o'clock
yesterday morning. A. that hour Il Is the
custom for Keeper Duncan, who has charge
OF the kitchen ard room to enter the Jail for the
purpose o! letting Of their cells two the
number OF mon, all OF whose duty was to assist
at cooking tor the other prisoners Going first the
upper tier, which is occupied exclusively by
females, Duncan let out the women alluded
to. and after descending and releasing the
two male cooks, he was In the act of walking
toward the vestbuc leading to the outer door, when
two heavy blows the head with a codge knocked
him sensecss to the floor According TO the statement
OF the prisoners who had slept in the hallway OF the
Jail, six men had in some manner slipped out of their
cells on the second tier ana rushed down the steps
just as keeper Duncan goirg to
lock the outside door Immediately after Duncan
Knocked down Of the dcsperadoes stopped and
was trying to wrench the keys from Duncan's firm
grasp, when one OF the men, who were now on their
way to the kitchen with the now PROSTATE keeper.
caught hold OF the fellow in order TO prevent him
OF securing the article through which they
Joseph Osborn, one of the prisoners in revolt,
drew revolver and. presenting 1t nj the party who
was cnaeavo , 10 guard Inc Keys warned hm to
cordingiy further resistance was offered to their
progress, and, having obtained the keys the
p" ever "'' eu' .brou, or scuttlsd 'a's
Ship passed into the Jail enclosure, which they
left at rapid speed for the open country. These in
dviduals known by the following numes Joseph
Osborn. Christopher Spencer James Martin cooreti),
John II. Barker (colorsd), Christopher Mcneil and
Thomas Wright.
owing to the fright and confusion Of the hallmen
II was some IN inutes after the escape had been ef
sheriff Ford whose house Is adjacent 10 the jail
comranied by few ciiiz' set out in hot pursuit
directly Tor the vicinity oi swamp situated
abou; two miles east OF white Plains
The pursuing party Son, doNvsrcd Spencer
Acting the policy that Jail bird in the hand is
worth ive in the swamp, Deputy Sheriff Ford
turned and locked up hs captive after which he set
out again, this time being accompanied by Sheriff Car.
pcnter Deputy Sherins Craig and Haisht, in add.
whom 1" had armed themselves for the chase Arriving
the swamp indicated tho party made thorough
search OF It, without however nnding any OF the runa
ways Later IN the forenoon another party OF citizens
found Mcneil concealed in the swamp and turned him
to sheriff Carpenter who lost no time in taking
OF the swamp by Deputy Sheriff Baight revealed the
presence OF Osborn, who, OH being discovered drew
desperate with his pistol ordering him TO drop his
weapon or he lIiaghp would nut bullet through him.
Knowing that he had determined man to deal with,
Osborn promptly let his revolver fall 10 The ground and
surrendered II found examination that
the cartridges IN Osborn's pistol had been
rendered useless through having been wet and in adj
to this that the weapon, owing to tho absence Of
a screw, was harmless. Osborn, together with the
other two capturcd men, was subsequently placed in
irons and then secured behind double bars and bolts
II appears that the prisoners got out OF their cells by
pryng aside the bolts which fastcn the doors on the
top aud bottom.
Osborne and Spencer. who believed 10 have been
the the plot to have only recently
been Liberated from the Albany rententiary, where
they served year double charge-onc OF larceny
Porchcster and tho other for having in their
sion a quantity OF burglars tools During their
term OF Imprisonment at Albany they
again indicted for burglary in the first degree for break
ing into and robbng the residence OF gentleman
named Abro in the Of Grecnburgh. and had been
brought back from the Pcntentary Tor trial ut the
suidg court. Bnrkor who Is an old offender,
under Indictment for highway robbery; ana MART was
tho ticket Office OF the Harlem Railroad
depot al KenAcs. Mcneil awaiting trial
Tor burglary and Wright for larceny from
the person. he having stolen watch from party who
was intoxicated at Mnmaroncck. Up to q late hour
last evening neither OF the remaining three runaways
had been retakcn being generally believed that they
had succeeded crossing tho Connecticut State line