The New York herald., 1877-09-06
A VENAL KE EPER.
Davis Conveys Arms and Pistols to
the Conspiring Convicts.
II I S F l. I G. H t
Indictments Found by the Grand Jury
Against Hamlin and Allen.
[BY TELEoRAPH TO THE HERALD

HARTFORD. Conn.,, Sept 8, 1871
singularly intere iing criminal romance surrounds
the plot Tor the escape OF The convicts Hamlin and
Allen from the Connecticut State Prison last Saturday
night which resulted In tho brutal and cold booded
inurder OF the watchmaa, Wells Sbpman. The plans
skiiuily conceived aud had other authors
and agents than the two murderers Partial
develop yesterday led TO the unravelhng
OF tho whole mystery to-day, and 1t is con-
clusivsly shown that the master spirit
Hamilton, alias Brown, who Is implicated in tho
s65 900 check forgery New York Lille Insurance
Company, aud that his friends provided money for
bribery and deadly weapons for uso in an emergency
1t been from the first that there had been
treachery IN the prison, and the traitor suspected
yesterday is now definitely known TO be one OF the
keepers J. H. Davis who has been employed in the
prison several Suspcon was first directed 10 him
by his nervous and singular action since the MURDER
aud noticing this he last night sought safety IN Hight
THIS afternoon Warden Hewes offered $500 reward for
his apprehension and every effort will be made 10 ar
rest and convict him. 1t appears that Davis was
readily open bribery, he had family and only
paltry salary of less than $50 per month. Nearly
year ago, when Dobes, alias Rice, well known
New York cracksmau, and who burglarized tho
Coinsvilie Conn. say ings bank. escaped from this
founded suspicious of conplicy and known to have
subsequently had plenty OF money. Brown came to
and DAVIS heard IT, Tue story OF what resulted from
this knowledge largely based upon the admissions OF
O the murderers, Alen and DAVIS sudden fight
is regarded as proof that he tells the truth.
THE
Davis and Brown began negotiations early in the
summer, aud Humlin and Allen, who were known
be desperate characters and wiling to do anything 10
get Free taken into the scheme, DAVIS going
lar reported as to give the trio opportunities for
conterring together III their cells. The details beng
agreed upon, Brown communicated with New York
trends ard, and last Thursday afternoon Davis
apacEago containing $500 IN money, Two pistols and
pair OF handcuis OF which he gave the weapons and
S&75 each to Hamlin and Allen, retaining the other
$3.50 as his brUe.
THE ESCAPE AND MURDER.
On The evening OF the attempted escape Davis was
on duty, and when locking up left Hamln's and
Aliens cell doors unlocked. HaInin slipped and
hid and two hours a,er, wnen the slide bars OF tho
cells put on. Davis eit Aliens bar oil, intending
thai should then JON Hamln, and The two clearing
the way TO liberty release Brown. and tho two then
would vanish. However, temporary check
by another keeper. who chanced to notice 1t
open aud damhn did not dare after
him TIL midnight, when all was still Then he c. me
from his hiding place, released Allen, and together
they were gong alter Brown when they the
watch uman and killed him to silence his outcries.
The Grand Jury that met TO- day found true bills
against both Hamlin aud Allen, their future pros
poets gloomy. Their trial will probably begin
week, and with Browns money, which Davis de-
Iivercd 10 them, :hey will be enaoied To
sci Nothing can yet he obtained from Brown rea-
TIE NEW YORK FORGERY.
Tomorrow is tho day that he promised to give a
definite answer to whether he would disclose his
knowledge {" the iorgerics IN which he aud Gessner
others concerned, but up 10 tonight he has
refused TO say word. District Attorney Phelps, 1t
Is reported, mas written letter TO Warden Hewes,
stating that the visit to Brown last week by Dr.
Carney Actuary OF the New York Life Insurance
Company, was proper and furtner requesting that
Brown be prevented from conversing on tho subject
oil the orgcries with others than the parties immed
ately Interested.