The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-03-17
FIGHTING FOR HIS LIBERTY.
CONDEMNED MURDERERS DESPE-
RATE EFFORT TO ESC1PE.
Terrible Struggle between Two Determined
Mcn-Thc Keepers Life Saved by IA Pocket
book Full OF GoId-ResuIt Of the Fray.

Pom ne rirginii cfv Chronicle
A desperate attempt TO break jail was
made at the county prison this morning. About
S.o'clQck tho jail was n the charge Of Henry
Kirsch. thu day keeper. Two TRUSTEES, as pris-
oncrs who help the jailcrs nrc called, had. as
usual, been released from their cells at an early
hour. to prepare break fast, which was ready TO
be- served at 3 O'Clock. Tho keeper, Kirsch
then then projected to open the cc ao9ts to
One cell. occupied by throo or four ordinary
prisoners among them one named Nelson, con.
it's occupants were at largc in the corridor. The
keeper then went t. the FIRST eel ON the main
murderer, was confined. One Of the TRUSTEES
oc 'upcs this cell at night with Harrington. but
hc had been let out at o'clock 70 help prepare
been alone His ankles wore confined with
shackcs. II loose chain connecting them TO-
gothcr, but not 80 a. to interfere with his walk
ing. His hands were free.
As the keeper opened the cell door Harring-
ton Vt once appeared in the doorway, fully
hand. which he instantly lcvcllcd in the face of
keeper. and called out. Throw mp your handsv'
HIS own weapon was tucked away In hip
pocket. and unavailable In the emergency. But
with commcndablo presence OF mind ne threw
himself upon the desperate prisoner. ana catch
ing his right wrist. turned the pistol downward
A shot was ilrcd at this instant. hut whether it
took cffect or not cannot be determined.
A desperate struggle mt once began between
the two men-Irnry. the keeper. who il "a pow
eriul man. seeking to dsarm the prisoner, and
active fellow, trying To shoot tho keeper. At
this moment The prisoner Nelson cameto IIar-
r Psh the m %ma e"PP'db Ibis way 5s
three mon struggled and fought along the
ce2rIhid0r to the do9r leading into TIE
mont Harrington fired as often IA he could
rgise ms, weapon 80 rs to give any promise
OF effect. but the strength Of the keeper was so
grcat that Huntington could not release his
hand or raise the pistol TO n level. One Of his
shots however. took effect in Kirschs right
u no Ist bnlpN la
joint but not hitting the bono. Another struck
the keepers thigh but was prevented from in
Hcing any wound by pl 'thOric pO'kct-boOk
or wallet which the keeper happened to have in
his right hand pantaloons pocket This wallet
cnhthlh"h s5vV IN wv kou pl,N'eS me ball
struck II. tearing Ito pieces ami scattering the
coin hut the coin also wardcd of the bullet.
which fell harmless. upon the floor.
Nhile TINS struggle was gong on the TRUSTEES
ran TO the rear Of the Jail to keep out Of the way
of the bullets. rs they say. None of the other
prisoners. except Nelson. took any part either
Tor or against the keeper. City Jatler Carpcn-
ter. who was preparing break fast in his apart
ment oi n Prison; hearing the shooting, hur-
As he entered the kitchen he at uncc drew n
hcad on Harrington and fred. The ball took
pistol a second shot effected the absolute re-
t ase Of tnf kcGPer; the thiGi Ncls9pn. letting
an empty canle-lox which he wildly threw
at III" Keeper or Carpenter Then Car
I'm rrini mt mt s"'s s,ns W''u li'!r an
staggering 30 the stove in the southwest corner
81 tho room. overturned "A kettle Of boiling
water. and then ran back 10 his c,ll and threw
himS III on his bed bleeding in the vicinity II
bis right tnmpl'. right ear. and behind his
shoulder The wounded keeper at once locked
tho cell door. leaving the miserable man to
sun"r the con-equ noes of his folly. Nelson
wis then placed IN tho heaviest irons thu in
- tuition pe~-essed. and lo. ked up in another
'H,l and 9ll the other prisoners were secured.
Whom ilarrngton retired 10 his cell he throw
hiws.l on his bod and lay notionoss and
speechlosS as IL dead Indeed for a long time
II was supposed that he was ilnad. hut by close
wat him, from the cell door it was seen that ne
WAS still breathing. DR.. Bergstein was sum
munod H. found the prisoners wounds not
10y any means serious. One ball had struck him
IN The left shoulder behind. and passing under
The skIn had lodgel unler The shouller l0int