The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-07
AT LARGE.
TWO BURGLARS CUT THE BARS or THE HOS
PITAL WINDOW IN THE KINGS COUNTY PENI-

TWO BURGLARS CUT THE BARS or THE HOS
PITAL WINDOW IN THE KINGS COUNTY PENI-
TERTIARY AND EFFECT THEIR ESCAPE.
The night Waterman whose duty it is 70 guard tho
exterior OF the Kings County Pcnteutary, while on
his patrol, shortly alter 1--WE O'Clock yesterday morn
Ing, discovered a rope made OF torn strips OF bed
clothing dangling from an angle OF the high wall
that surrounds that institution Ho imme-
dlately surmised that IL had been used TO
effect tho escape of convics from within and
FASTENED at once 10 give the alarm Almost simulta
neousy with he discovery made by outside wach-
man came the report 10 Warden Sheviin from Watch
man Nolan, who has tho responsibility OF exercising
surveillance by night over the 1t is the duly
the latter individual TO visit the corridors hospi-
tai, which latter is in the left wing OF the structure
once every hour to that everything is right No
Ian reported that two OF tho couvcls had escaped
from the hospital II appears that Nolan visited
the patients, who under the immediate
supervision ~ convict detailed steward,
ABOUT three O'CLOCK III the morning. at which ume all
was quiet ana every body was soundy sleeping, 10 all
OUTWARD appearances at least. Two hours LATER
he again entered the hospital, he was startled upon
looking round 10 tnd that TWO OF the
vacant ana The bedcothes gone. Looking toward The
windows, winch are guarded by heavy upright
bars, about an Inch ard eighth In diameter
he observed that bar had been filed oil
close down by the window sill, and had
then been wrenchcd fom tho fastening above
This left an aperture OF about twelve inches sufficient
10 admit of the exit OF the Two convicts VINO had
escaped through II. The fellows, whose names are
Michael Okely aud John Mccarthy respectively,
had MANAGED 10 lower themselves by means Of their
rope OF bedclothes from the second story to tho
Penitentiary yard, distance of about twenty Ieei.
Iney then, as Was subsequently learned, gucceeded III
getting their improvised rope over the high wall
winch ehcioseS the prison grounds This they did by
throwing up one end to which they haa attached a
weight, against iron railing that encirclod
q platform AT an angle OF the wall
Having thus fastened the end they scaled the
rope 10 the top, from which they readily lowered
themselves to the ground ana, onco Tree,
In making their way 10 some haven OF safety. From
cirCun stances that have irauspired IL surnised
That the convics had assistance at hand outside the
wall.
TUE rUGrr.vEs.
Mccarthy had been under medical treatment Tor
several montns Tor an almost ncurabe disease, aud
O'keliy Is u copsumptive. Owing 10 their debiitated
condition The idea OF their escape never appears to
have struck their Keepers and the patents were per
nittea 10 converse with their riends and relatives
almost without restraint.
Mccarthy, who is twenty-orc years OF age, was ar
rested by Detective CurraD Of the Brooklyn Central
0lce squad Ia December 1885, Tor robbing the house
OF w. sprngstein, No. 81 PrIace street. lie had pre-
viorsiy served term In prison. He was tried and
convicted In the Kings County Court OF Sessions be-
penttentnry Tor term OF four years and months
He rs married and has q wife living IN New Jersey.
O'keily was arrested by Detective Ennis, OF the
Sixth precinct Williamsburg, Tor burglary committed
terms OF Imprisonment, and was also tried and
victed In the Court OF Sessions and October, 1876
sentenced W the Penilentiary Tor similar period
four years and six months. He Is about twenty
years Old. strange uct connected WIN tneir escape
IS that the Convict Hospital steward ana all the
patients who slepl the ward from winch the men
escaped claim 10 have been fast asleep at the time and
not 10 know anything about the occurrence.