National Republican., 1878-12-16
A BREAK ron LIBERTT.
Three Prisoners Make Bold Efrort to Es-
cape from the JaIl-Nan.

william Williams, notorious criminal and des
pcrate man, came near succeeding In an effort 10
make delivery OF prisoners from the jail.van last
Saturday. Williams was being brought up to tho
court house last Saturday morning from the city
prison, among other prisoners, 10 plead TO the
charge OF assault and battery with intent 10 kill
Police Sergeant 7. D. Am!ss The driver Of the
van. James Leonard, was On tho box, and Colonel
Perry Carson, guardsmen, at his post The van
door was secured and nothing unusual occurred
within while en- route TO indicate that any plans for
freedom were being made. When the wagon was
backed up to the curb IN front Of the City Hail. as
Is customary crowd assembled OH the Sidewalk TO
see the prisoners come forth from the van
and enter the building. The bailifrs turn out
In force on such occasions to ensure their
pecing OF any attempt being made for liberty, they
are neither M vigilant or careful they should be-
aud Il Is Just oil such occasions that they are apt TO
he IL ken unaware by trisoucrS sIIrY,niy tn n,stc
their escape. Marshal Douglas in person witnessed
this attempt lie happened to be standing at the
cast wing entrance when the van arrived. aud re-
inaincd until the unloading was completed. As
tho door was opened the prisoners came out In the
ordinary way, apparently mNnaced in twos and
thrccs When they reached the sidewalk there was
hurried pushing and jostling. then three broke
0 hSr S snd mG @ oi s@d IfS oPEhS TSS.ons r ran
back for the Instant ut this unexpected dcyclop-
mcrt, hut recovered their senses and some Of them
remaining to guard the rest others started in pur.
sun VI lllt hetlne Inc lhtce lhut got away were
william Williams, Norman Carter, and James
Slm0nds. Williams turned around the eaSt side Of
the City Hall building and ran through the park,
but was orerhau!ci aud brought back by Bailn
ScGrlc.
Carter started diagonally across tho street past
the Lincoln monument End toward Louisiana ave.
nue., but Perry Carson, who had much longer legs
aud covered more ground than the fugitive, cap.
tured linn before he had gone beyond the corner
Of fOur'Hnd a.hHlf street. simOnds was more sue.
ceSsful. lie put out down Indiana avenue. turned
INTO the same alley through which Charley Good.
man ran when he took French leave Of the court,
outtln bis punucrs, succeeded IN getting away.
hn1 II still OF large. lie was indicted for assault
with intent TO kill Richard Brown.
AftCr the runaways had been placed In the dock
and II became known that Williams was the prime
mover In the Affair." he was supplied with pair OF
icg.irOns aud handouts for hiS especial use and
more strict surveillance was kept over the entire
lot
II seems that on the way from jail-it takes about
one hour to make the trip-WilliamS concocted the
plan and by means Of n suSpcmdcr.buckle, which
hc bent TO suit the purpose. he unlocked the brace
lets Of these prisoners lie said that the he
took more than himself was that when they len
the van all OF them making the effort at the same
time, he would have q better chance to get away.
To deceive the guards and bailils they kept the
cuis On, but had them 10 loose that they would
slip Oh easily at the desired time, and canning out
jail no suspicion was entertained against them,
rs VIII be seen 10y reference u the court reports,
Carter pleaded guilty 10 rUbbing Mr.. Van DOrens
clothing store, with the other men, aud has been
sentenced to the penitcntaty for three years. VII.
lans Is pretty sure 10 follow, and the officers think
that they can sO0n capture SimondS, for whom also
the pcilitenttary doors stand open.