The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-09-26
A DISHONEST KEEPER.
DAVIS, THE nEcEEANT CONNECTICUT PRISON
KEEPER, IN CUsToDY-HIs STORY OF HIS
wANDERIN0s.

DAVIS, THE nECREANT CONNECTICUT PRISON
KEEPER, IN CUsTODY-HIs STORY OF HIS
wANDERIN0s.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
HARTFORD, Conn, Sept IS 1877.
On tho night OF Saturday, September 2. occurred
the terrible tragedy ut tho Connecticut State Prison.
at Wcthersaeld, involving the cod-bloodod murder Of
the watchman, Sbipman, by two convicts intent on
eGecting their escape. They had arms, money and
implements for forcing their way TO liborty. These
could not have boon obt ncd without outside assist
ance and the investigation OF the proved that
OF the keepers, John H. Davis, had been Indirectly
sponsiblo for tho death OF comrade for u tri1ing
sum. DAVIS became alarmed the Tuesday following
the murder, and sought safety IN fight taking with
him but Sl5 that he obtained from his wilcs purse
The prison authorities heard nothing more IRON him
until eleven O'Clock to-day, whom no driven into
the prison yard in tho custody OF q deputy sheriG
Davis pleaded not guilty before justice, anu the pro-
liminary hearing OF his case was postponed until
Thursday forenoon, tho prisoner being committed to
jail in default OF 81, 900 bail.
THE VALUE OF REWARD
In conversation with the HERALD correspondent to-
day DAVIS said ~ tec easter now than ut any time
since went away l felt unsafe all the ,imo know
Ing the hounds we're alter me. Anyway, fellow
can't 70 worry lar without money, and l didn't
have bu, . few dollars. 1 used to 500 tho
I'd had been raised to 81, 700 got discouraged
fellow can't hide long IN Connecticut when that
tculars OF his light or where he sccrcted or ar.
rested he would say nothing Whatever
Just before being taken from tho prison to the
County jail Warden Hewcs inquired: -
''Davis Why didn't you take all the money Allen,
amlin and Brown offered you. put It In your pocket
aud ther give tho JOB away 70 INC. You would have
been IA good deal better OF and wouldn't have riskcd
yourself AZ Is you have put us 10 great trouble
and got into Il bad scfapo yourself"
Davis only reply was IN expressive smile and care
less tapping OF his boot heels on the fioor.
After no had been removed 10 Jail this afternoon no
abandoned his rcticeucc lar as to offer story OF his
wunceripga II Is interesting recital but so wildly
at variance with crcumstantia evidence that the pre-.
sumption Is that Davis tells It for purpose-numsy
to prevent possible harm to those who have been &C.
GREETING him. The TACT that when brought the prison
to-day he not sunburned nor haggard gvos
his staemont OF wandcrngs tho woods aud living
on chance charitable contributions Davis story ID that
alter tight from his home In Wothersncld on tho
TUESDAY evening alter the tragedy be went TO Rocky
HiL purchased provisions and slept IN u burn He
wandered In the woods the following day until near
dusk when he went into Cromwell. entered a an Don
and borrowed from deputy sheriff who hnd read
II Hartford paper announcing his flight and contain
ing arden Hewes advertisement: offering $500 reward
for his capture Alter reading this Davis hurried away
slaycd tho woods until midnight and ten crossed the
river and went eastward. Hc concludes his story as
tollows:-
"During that day ana since that time have boon
scouting about IN Enfield, Long Meadow, Soners and
in tho Stafford Mountain. Tho greater part OF the
time spent 10 tho woods In Stafford Mountain.
The day WINS caught was scoutIngin the woods
two miles from Somcrs Know .ng that the Stafford
people were looking for mo ut house In Somcrs
threw me of my guard somewhat, but It seems that
about Nil Somcrs were out IN search OF mo- and only
part OF the crowd were In the vicinity Of
this house; the other part wero securing
for IN the very woods whore was. Deputy ShsriI
Gowdy came me unexpectedly. l did not rec hun
until he was close upon me- | feared 70 run because
thought that ho would shoot At me, SO came along
quIelly. The story that was published of my being al
house In Somers is ali n mistake. have not boon
there at ALL aud have with the exception OF two nights
whom 4 remained IN tho woods slept In barns and
sheds have eaten but lite substantial food buying
places whore could not bcg-gcncrally getting
bread and water and sometimes other common food -