The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-09-08
THE CONNECTICUT PRISON PLOT
Aliens story Of the Attempt TO Escape thas
Ended I'm n Trnaedy.

Ihueu IN n IrhReuy.
HARTFORD, Sept. THE true and COM
plete history OF the terrible tragedy Mt the State
prison became known to-day. through the con-
fcssion OF Bill Allen. one OF the guilty convicts
II Is the story Of an ingenlously conceived plot,
that failed only by the mcrest chance. Aliens
motive in revealing the plot is no secret He
evidently hopes to create nm impression that
his guilt is less than that OF his associate. Ham
lin. and TO escape with nothing worse than
lifo imprisonment His motive il shad-
owed throughout the confession. wherein
he represents himself as playing IN
inferior part throughout and is careful
TO say that he was not with Hamlin when the
fatal shot was fired. and that he did not con-
ceive that Shipmans life was In danger. Ru-
NOR has 1t that he has told some things that
Warden Hcwes has not disclosed 10 the press,
fearing that their publication would interfere
with the arrest Of Davis. the Waterman who be-
traycd his trust. and who has thus far evaded
capture. Allen knows what persons in New
York forwarded the funds to Hamilton alias
Brown. the bond forger. to be used in bribing
Davis. and also the persons at whose house the
convicts wore to seek refuge until the storm
passed over. but IL he has revealed their names
the authorities keep such Information to them
selves.
Allen sent for Warden Hcwes to-day. and
after saying that he had passed a night Of ter
rible mental suffering. said he was prepared TO
make n full disclosure Of the plot. The confess
sion IL substantially as follows: Brown and
Hamlin first discussed the escape two weeks
ago and in reply 70 an inquiry the latter said
t ,Is ~, uuo Would he nseded ana that his pal.
ami the latter agreed that the escape could he
effected cheaper, as one OF the prison officials
to furnish 5000 from his friends in you city.
and also two pistols, cartridges. and hand, uffs.
Brown instructed the New York parties TO ex-
nf 4 IA vvu vol
DAVIS. but they sent II to the assumed name of
jones Hike. and Davis took II from the express
the attempt Davis delivered the weapons
and an m.od iron ron bar to Asn the .ne e ,S
west window OF the main prison after the three
convicts had been released by Davis from their
cells, From this they could drop into garden
adjoining the prison. and the job was to he done
and tried il. but the barfwasn't powerful enough,
Going to Davis they reported their failure. and
said they would give him only $50 in addition
to the 800 previously paid, making 1850 in
ed. Brown was dressed and ready To 60 with
them II they had forced the bars. Davis being
prepared TO relcase him from his cell
Allen was so discouraged 10y the failure that
he returned 70 his cell. but lIanllin went after
now? 1t won't do" Ilc suggested that they
break through the ceiling TO the attic. and went
To- place blankets To deadcn tine noise OF falling
plaster, leaving Allen IL his cell. Returning
must como out and help. or | will shoot You"
and told Allen that there was n carriage waiting
outside for them. and that II would be best Ia
make "A bold push for liberty. M they might
never get such a chance again. Allen then
Joined HHmlin. and went 20 the top Of the tier Of
cells TO watch Shlpman. who had meantime re-
iieN"d Davis when approached in front 10y
Hamlin and 10y Allen from the rear Shipman
shot nj and missed Hamln. and then started
toward the alarm bell. hut wns cut or
Ky Allen. Another shot was then fired by
upon him. and. rs Allen SAYS ne then gave up
and fell down. They frat gagged him. and then
handcuffcd him 10 the railing Of the corridor,
but the gag hurting Shipman severely. they re-
moved u on his promise that he would keep
quiet. He made this promise under threats
that he would be killed Il he didn't: but Ship
man soon aiicrward yelled for help. whereupon.
Allen says, he returned To his cell. lcav-
ing Hamlln and Shipman together. H.
heard another shot hred-the one by which
Shpman was killed. Hamlin then joined
effort to escape by way OF the attic. Climbing to
the top OF the tier they broke a hole through the
ceiling. reached the attic. aud thence assembled
70 the belfry. Here they had q long discussion.
turn TO their cells. as the whole prison was
aroused and escape was impossible. Hamlin.
however. said: " No. we will 20 on We must get
out now or never" During two or three hours
driven back. and after being fired nj in the bel
fry 10y a guard outside they concluded 10 sur
render. Throwing their pistols aside they went
down into the prison and thence 10 the guard
room. Allen was very earnest IN asserting that
he did not witness the killing of Shipman and
had no Intention Of taking life.
This rs the whole story. and II will be seen
that it II weak in some respects. and apparently
designed to make Aliens case appear as fayOru-
bic rs possible.
in the section whore he was seen on Tuesd ~
night, near Middletown. and all avenues Of r. H.
road or steamer communication are covered.