Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1879-08-21
Death OF "a DesperadO.

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
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 he was raising
his arms to told them he stepped back
somewhat, and one of the officers saw that
he had sharp knife in his hands. Officer
Mccormick at once struck at him with his
cane and drove him back, and just as Off
Ger Mackin was warned that Barrett had a
knife, the convict plunged it into Mackins
left thigh, inficting 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
ments soon came up, but the convict, who
was a young man Of about twenty -one, was
too fleet for his pursuers. He had disap-
peared and for a time their search was
| fruitless 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 workmen 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 just
one foot outside when Nue of the heavy
"sprues was hurled at him, but fortunate
ly it only z. azed his head. Barrett hallooed
to him: off you come near me I'll 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 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 eau
tiously, along the roof. The shot, however,
did not frighten Barrett single moment.
From the roof he went through window
into the cupola room, this time followed by
both officers. There, too, he defied 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 the 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 huge>water tank, and,
having armed himself in the meantime with
"rammer "a most formidable tool useC
in the foundry-he defed the officers tc
come near him. Right in this and the ad
joining shop some two hundred convictI
are employed. When they heard the noise
they all came rushing on as if ready for {
: fight One fellow went up to Barrett anC
whispered words of cheer to him, telling
him to hold his ground, they wSuld al
stand by him. Thus encouraged, still
; holding the "rammer" in one hand, h
: took with the other a riveting hammer from
the shelf, testing it first and then swlngin!