Connecticut western news., 1877-06-08
Mrs. sherman Escapes.

Mrs. Lydia Sherman of Derby. who fig ured in one of the most celebrated crimi- nal causes in this state, escaped from the state prison Tuesday night about 10 o'clock. The matron. Mrs. Waterhouse, on her visit of inspection about that hour, left the door of the female apartment unlocked, and while she was examining the upper tier of cells, Mrs. Sherman, whose cell was left unbolted, stepped out. Once outside the female apartment access was easy to the yard thence to the road. Her cell had been left unlocked of late because of her preca- rious health which might necessitate the calling of assistance at any time. Her ab- sence was discovered in an hour, but she could not be found, and at last accounts was at large. It is not probable however that she will long elude arrest. Mrs. Sher- man has been in prison something over four years. She was sentenced for life. The account of her crime is too fresh to require recapitulation. She poisoned eight persons according to her own confession. These were her three husbands, four of her own children, and one child of her third husband. The murder of MT. Sher- man of Derby led to her arrest. While in prison she has been docile, and much of the tune apparently in very poor health. She is not in the least insane as some have supposed.
 The matron, Mrs. Warehouse, is con- hxyf no orIo hou and will probably be discharged.
 LATER.-Mrs. Sherman was captured in Providence last Tuesday, and returned to her old quarters in the prison Wednesday.
 F. T. BARNUM's REWARD FOR CHARLEY Ross. Christian K. Ross, the father of Charley, has been in consultation with Mir. Barnum, and they have agreed to issue the following:
 'I will pay $l0.OOO in cash for the deliv- cry to me, alive, of the kipnapped child Charley Ross, or for information that will lead to his recovery. most solemnlY and sacredly pledge my word of honor and rep utation as an upright business man, not to attempt for myself to discover the identity of the persons negotiating with me in this matter. nor to convey to any other person any hints or clews by which any accusl. tons, or even suspicious, shall be directed against them. The parents of the child shall unite with me in this pledge, and agree, if their darling child is, by this means restored to them, to abandon all at tempts to punish any person concerned sln his abduction or concealment. They agree never to appear against such parties, and with myself will use every endeavor to shield them from exposure. For the last three years these parents have suffered more than death. and now that Mosier and Douglass. the real abductors, are dead, it is hoped that the persons who have the child in custody will be willing to accept this re- ward and immunity. The reward shall be paid in current money as soon as the child is identified by its parents. As an addition al security to the persons bringing him, a reasonable time shall elapse between his de- livery and the public announcement of the fact, that the parties delivering him shall have every opportunity to avoid discovery.
 (Signed) P T. BARNUM.
 Bridgeport, Conn.
 "I sanction the above agreement for my self and wife,"
 (Signed) CHRISTIAN K Ross