The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-09-09
Death OF Il Desperate.

John Barrett, a New York burglar, con-
fined III Sing Sing prison, lately outraged
the laws of that penal institution, and OIL
GERS Mccormick and Mackin were detailed
to bring him down stairs. He was led out
of his work cell to the main hall in front
of the chaplan's office, but while standing
there he continually kept his hands in his
pockets. He was told to take his hands
out and fold his arms, but as lie was raising
his arms to told them he stepped back
somewhat, and one of the officers saw that
he had n sharp knife in his hands. Officer
Mccormick at once struck at him with his
cane and drove him back, and just as Off
Ger Nackin was warned that Barrett had a
knife, the convict plunged it into Mackin's
left thigh, intlicting an ugly wound several
inches deep. The wounded man having
been cared for by others, Officer Mccormick
pursued Barrett, who, by this time had fled
to the North end of the yard. Reinforce
mcnts soon came up, but the convict, who
was a young man of about twenty -one, was
too fleet for his pursucrs, lie had disap-
pcarcd and for q time their search was
fruitlcss. Officer Good, who had in the
meantime been ordered to join in the chase,
happened to pass through the moulding
shop. There he was informed by one of
the worlSmen that Barrett had Just been in
there and armed himself with several pieces
of iron known as "sprues," and that he
had climbed up the roof. Quick as light
ming Good jumped through one of the win
dows that cover the roof, and he had lust
one foot outside when nuc of the heavy
"sprues' was hurled ut him, but fortunate
~ it only &. nZcd his head, Barrett hallooed
to him: eff you come near me I'll kill
No ,sof 4, q
feet from the officer, while another keeper
was stationed at the other end of the roof.
Good called upon him to surrender, when,
in reply, another sharp piece of iron was
hurled at him. The officer then drew his
revolver and fired without taking aim, ad-
vancing at the same time steadily, but cau-
tiously, along the roof. The shot, however.
did not frighten Barrett single moment.
From the roof he went through window
| into tho cupola room, this time followed by
both officers. There, too, he dcfied both of
them to approach, and while one of them
called for more help, the fellow escaped
| from the roof down into the moulding
rooms to tho very spot where his ordinary
| working place was. That was about half
past eleven o'clock. He was now once
more in the midst of his comrades with
only few keepers around him. There he
stood, as the pursuing officers found him,
leaning against q hugo water tank, and,
having armed himself in the meantime with
"rammer IA most formidable tool used
in the foundry--he defed tho officers to
como near him. Right in this and the adj
joining shop some two hundred convicts
arc employed When they heard tho noise
they oil came rushing on rs if ready for a
fight. One fellow went up to Barrett and
whispered words Of cheer to him, telling
him to hold his ground, they would all
stand by him. Thus encouraged, still
holding the "rammer" In ono hand, he
took with the other riveting hammer from
the shelf, testing IT first and then swinging