West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-08-23
Death OF "a Dosperado.

John Barrett, New York burglar, con
fined in Sing Sing prison, lately outraged
the laws of that penal institution, and Off
GERS Mccormick and Mackin were detailed
10 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. lie was told to take his hands
out and fold his arms, but as lac was raising
his arms 10 told them he stepped back
somewhat, and one OF the officers saw that
he had "a sharp knife in his hands Officer
Mccormick 1T once struck at him with his
cane and drove him back, and Just az OH
Ger Mackin was warned that Barrett had a
knife, the convict plunged ii into Mackin's
left thigh, inilicting an ugly wound several
inches deep. The wounded man having
ben cared for by others, Officer Mccormick
pursued Barrett, who, by this time had fled
90 the North end of the yard Reinforce
ments soon came up, but the convict. who
was a young man OF about twenty one. was
too feet for his pursuers. Hc had disap-
pcarod and for a time their search was
fruitlcss. Officer Good, who had i'm the
meantime been ordered % Join In the chase
happened 20 pass through the moulding
shop. There he was Informed by one of
the wOrkmen that Barrett had lust been i'm
there and armed himself with several pieces
Of iron knOwr 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 Just
one foot outside when cue If the heavy
"sprucs was hurled at him, but fortunate
ly IL only & azcd his head. Barrett hailooed
to him eff you come near me Ill kill
YOU The convict was then about fifteen
feet from the officer, while another keeper
was stationed at the other end of the roof
Good called upon him 10 surrender, when.
/ in rcply another sharp piece of iron was
hurled at him. The officer then drew bis
revolver and fred without taking aim, ad
vanCing at the same time steadily. but eau
/ tiously, along The roof The shot, however.
/ did not inghtcn Barrett n single moment.
/ From the roof he went through a window
/ into The cupOla room, this time followed bv
/ 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
I rooms 10 the very spot where his ordinary
working place was That was about half
I past eleven o'clock. lie was now once
more in the midst Of his comrades with
/ only few Keepers around him There be-
| stood, as the pursuing officers found him.
leaning against n huge water tank, and.
! having armed himself in the meantime with
/ n "rnmmer "a most formidable tool used
\ in the foundry he dcfcd the officers 90
/ come near bim. Right in This and ihc ad-
/ joining shop some two hundred convicts
arc employed When they heard The noise
/ they all came rushing ON as if ready for q
\ fight One fellow went mp ~ Barrett and
| whispered words Of cheer 20 him, telling
/ him To- hold his ground, they would all
stand by him. Thus encouraged. still
/ holding the "rammer In one hand, he
| tOok with the other q riveting hammer from
the shelf testing it first and then swiuging