Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1873-1877, 1877-02-01

the Nevada Peni.entlary nve years
ago, was captured recently in lila
nook county, Oregon, but managed
H. give his captors the slip. Inc Ore
conian of January 20 gives the follow
lug history OF Hebron, and account OF
his capture:
About five years ago. number OF the
prisoners confined in the State Peniteu-
tiary At Carson, Nevada. formed q con-
spiracy to effect their escape. Their
plans were well matured. and carried
into successful execution. At q given
signal the guards we're attacked. and
overpowered, and the escaping prisoners
found but little difficulty in getting
away. Some resistance was made, and
several persons were killed and wound
ed. By means of this we'll planned out
break, some II or % prisoners made
good their escape.
Seven or eight years ago there was
man living ia Portland named Thomas
Heffron. This man left the State and
wen. down into Nevada about the year
1869. Soon after he Was arrested on
charge of attempting to commit the
double crime of murder aud robbery al
the same time. For these crimes
HaffIon was tried, convicted and senten-
ced 10 the State prison for the period OF
80 years. Heffron had not been in the
peuiien,isry long prior to the outbreak
among the prisoners. and was one OF the
prominent and leading spirits IN the con-
spiracy. Nearly three years ago. Chief
Lsppens learned of Heffrcns wheie-
sbouts. He passed through Empire
City on foot. and after brief sojourn
walked up the cast to the Siletz reser-
walton, where he stopped two seasons
ard hire out as a farm n shd. Last
summer Hebron worked during harvest
over a, P-rrydaIe. in Polk county. After
that he went over 10 Tiliamook county
and settled on a piece of land near the
coast, and adjoining Sand Lake. Here
he builr u SINAI! cabin and subsisted by
hunting. trapping and fishing. His exact
Whereabouts became known to Chief
Lappeus over four weeks since, and that
officer determined to procure his cap
ture. He wrote at once to Gov. Bradley
of Nevada. detailing the circumstances
an = desiring a requisition. Gov. Bradley
lost no time in complying with the re-
quest, and little over week ago the
necessary papers were received. Officer
Mccoy. who has on many occHsIcns
shown himself to be a cool, careful and
discreet nan, was detailed without de-
iay 10 accomplish the difficult task OF
findius aud arresting the fugitive. Hef
ron w,s known tn he desperate fellow.
and one who would not likely yield up
his liberty without resistance.
One week ago lest Monday Mr.. Nc
Gov left Portland intent on capturing
H.ffron. From the time Hsffron reach
ed Oregon he was known by the name OF
Geo. Thompson, alias Sand Lake"
Thompson. On reaching Grand Ronde
reservation, Mccoy ascertained with
definite certainty where his bird roasted,
and he proceeded to lay his plans &C
cordingly. From the reservation TO the
coast the trail led over rongn mountains.
and could only be reached by tedious
stages. Mccoy learned next that
Hebron was in the habit of leaving his
cabin deserted for q week. aud even ten
days at a time. while be wandered
through the mountains and along the
coast on his hunting and fishing expe-
ditiors. AS the fugitive knew Mccoy
we'll, and as it would be extremely
difficult to reach him without the
warp game getting wind of the little
scheme on foot, the officer concluded the
safer course to pursue was to remain
quietly ut the reservation, and send two
men. who were we'll acquainted with
H. ffron. Two persons-Roweli and
Graves-both of whom are men OF cour
age, and have considerable experience in
such business, were employed to go over
the mountains and capture the fugitive.
They were instructed TO go over 10 Heff-
rams cabin, aud if he WAS not at home
to watch until his return, then arrest him
ard bring him over to the reservation.
knowing the desperate character ct the
man with whom they had to deal, Mccoy
charged Rowell and Graves very partic-
ularly TO exercise all possible vigilance;
to secure their prisoner so that there
could be no chance of affecting an es-
cane, and to guard bin constantly.
With these instructions the men started
across the mountains, leaving Mccoy to
await their return. Success crowned
their 'AVy wciC AoAsoA"'S
enough to find Heffron at his cabin. He
was arrested. handcnffed. and tied Sc
curely on 9 horse. Everything progress
ed satisfactorily until the party had ar
rived within a very short distance OF the
reservation. When near the house where
Mccoy was stopping, Heffron managed
to elude the vigilance Of his captors and
Elected an escape. 1t was night at the
time and the darkness was most intense.
Both Roweli and Graves were in advance
Of the prisoner. one leading the horse.
Taking advantage OF the opportunity
afforded. Heff.on contrived to slip the
handouts over his hands. loosen the
thongs which bound his legs, and before
his ,p,ors we're aware of his movements
he sprang eff, and ran into the dense
,bicket tina, beset the road on either side.
Chase was given, bnt aided by the palp-
able darkness and brush. the prisoner
made his escape. Search was made next
day, bnt the only trace which could be
discovered was the hat Of the escaped
fugitive. A number Of posters Offering
reward of $500 for the recap.ure OF Heff-
ron. w.re distributed by officer Mccoy
rhrnngh that whole country. Several
A. na,s los n