New-York tribune., 1879-06-02
DETAILS OF THE ESCAPE.


DETAILS OF THE ESCAPE
The warden and keepers on duty In the Ray
mond Street JAN yesterday morning greatly sur
prised when Informed. few minutes after O'Clock,
that William Porter and John Irving, two wel-snown
criminals who have confined in the jail for the last
ten months had Just escaped from their cell Ihe III
formation was given TO Keeper Joseph Evans, who was
in the office Of the jail by John Cassin young man en-
pioyed m the stable, who said that two men Lad just
passed through the yard across the excavations made
for tho now wing Of the JAIL and into the adjoining
grounds OF the City Hospital Evans ran out into Ray
mond-st. but unable TO catch glimpse OF the fug
tiyes. He then informed Warden Bryan OF what had
It learned that Porter and Irving
were missing Word was sent at once TO Sheriff Riley
who was home and OF the deputy keepers was
dispatched TO the police headquarters the telegraph
wire connecting the Jail and the Police Central ONCE
was i'm working order. with description of the men
and request that general alarm be sent out for their
arrest.
Porter aud Irving arrested. together with
Shang" Draper and man known as John Wilbur on
August IL 1878. the charge OF committing burglary
in the store OF Martin Ibert & Sons No. 15S Graham
ave. Brooklyn They were indicted for burglary in the
third degree aud grand LARGELY, and Porters second
trial resulted Thursday evening last in verdict of
guilty. He was 10 have been arragued for sentence
this morning, and amotOn for stay OF proceedings
was TO have been submitted by his counsel General Ben
jamn F. Tracy. The four occupied the second cell
from the front Of building the second tier aud in
the wing nearest TO wiloughbyst. Their cell was
opened usually little before IN, these men being
allowed the freedom of the corridor Ever since they
had confined in the Jail they had been in the habit
of cooking their food, and they permitted to
visit the kitchen TO make their coffee. The kitchen Is III
the rear Of the first tier of cells and is reached by de-
scendlng the stairway tho front part Of the building
and passing along the corridor on the first floor.
Yesterday morning, while their companions, Draper
ana wilbur, SIN asleep. Porter and Irving de-
seconded the stairway. with tin cups their hands, and
entered the kitchen. where two cooks wore at work To
the asonishmeu Of the cooks the prisoners laid down
their cups and quietly walked up the stairway leading
10 the IAN yard Crossing this hastily they entered The
ward attached 10 the stable, where two were at
work. The wall Oh the south side OF the jail grounds
was nearly all torn down about a month ago 10 make
way for the work the wing and no obstacle in
terveued prevent the from passing from The sta
bic yard u;o the excavation made for the building.
From tns the City Hospital yard was easily reached.
The two these grounds and climbed the
low iron fence INTO RaymoEd-st
The stablemcn who sed the escape were over
come with surprise and fright. and made no attempt TO
stop the fuiycs As they crossed the foundations OF
the new building Porter and Irving broke into run,
then one of the sablemon hasoned 10 the office aud
gave tue alarm. The watcmnan employed by FrecI
MoNamee the contractors for The jail, was IN the
yard bat dd The fugitiyes. About that time,
on the large door opening on Raymond-St he passed
the street through tue sdg door IN tme To see
Two men run through the -ard OF the hospital ana
climb the fence into tue STREET He supposed that the
men from the hospital. and had no thought that
Kanices wOrkmen. VINO lyos in Raymond-st near De
Near DeKa6-avc be says. they were met by thiTd
man, who carried two coats. These Porter and Irving
hastily pu, ON, having left their prison coats in their
CELL and then the three walked rapidly up Raynond-St
II Is believed that the escape had been carefully
planned hut only TO he carried out in the event OF
POrtcr's conviction Al least one coniedtrate was on
attention OF the contractors watchman was drawn away
from yard by the knocking on tic dool in order that
the PRISONERS might reach Ihe hospital sr1unas "In9uI
being seen by him. This watchudn SAYS that rs f9ier
and Irving their hands were on their pistol pockets
and they evidently prepared TO make desperate
Resistance u anyone aIenipteu 70 reCap.Ie ttt'
POrteTs wife visited him IN the IAN on Saturday AFTER
noon 200 .,.
covery of the fugyes 81 900 tOr the arrest and
return Of either Of them. He sand yesterday afternoon
tha ncn lie wall on the south side OF the grounds
torn away he applied to the Board OF supervisors for the
appon neu OF watcEmeu 10 guard this portion OF
lie ian The application was referred the jan Com
Inttee and action mad been taken on II. He did not
believe that Draper and Wilbur had any KNOWLEDGE Of
the intention Of their companions irci-Attoney
Catln aud Assistant Distrct-AttOrney weinberg Wis
tied the iall yesterday and consulted WIN the SneTlH
Headquarters aud conversed with Superintendent
Campbell. The Sheriff has engaged the services OF Dc
tectiye Robert PnSerton IN searching Tor me uguNSs,
and confident that they viii be recaptured He thinks
that the for the escape should not rest on him,
inasmuch the authorities failed to furnish im WIN
the necessary watchmen. general alarm ard dcScTp-
BROOKLYN stations. 10 thls city, aud 10 other places
Porter and Irving connected with the Patchen-
ave gang burglars called from the fct that they
were arrested while they occupied richly furnished
house at Patchen%ve and JeCrseD-s, BROOKLYN Three
Draper-are well known to the police ana said tO be
amonC the most successful burglars III the country.
Their arrest was manly 10 Detective Murphy. OF
the \ nth SubPreCiuct, who MS0e p sergeant on
account OF this service. On August 10 he saw man
purchase sedge-hammer 10 Broadway, Brooklyn. Ills
suspciOns we've aroused by TINS circumstance, ana he
followed the until be him enter the house IN
Pate aeu-aye which the attention of himself and Cap
tain Danue had previously been directed. Throughout
that day and much OF tue succeeding night ne kept
watch upon the house, and his vigilance was rewarded
y the qrrtst OF the four win ths proceeds OF bug
ciary ia their possession. Porter hf5t tled IN De
cenber but no verdict Reached, the jury standing
eight for ,cOn and four FOE aCquitthl Wilbur was
also tried February, and the jury disagreed POrers
second tral began MAY %, ana lasted week. Dur
TRIBI NJ reporter who cOnversed with him Ia the jail
Wednesday evening. he betrayed no uneasiness or
tho result of his ra After hls cOnvic
tion there change In his manner, according TO
the state Of his keepers he expected thSt stay
of proceedings would be granted TO-DAY, ana SAID that
the matter would be carried to the Court OF Appeals.
Porter tweutyseYCn years or age, nVe 1eot seven
jnchcs In height, with dark brown hair, mixed with
gray a dark mOustaChe and blue eyes. Irving Is
described twentysX Old nv" feet ten aud half
inches IN height with light brown hair and mustache.
and hazel eyes.
V,EDDLNG or THE MAYORS DAUGHTER.