The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-07-21
BROKE JAIL.
John F. Richmond and Simeon Yeaton at
Liberty.

Yesterday morning at o'clock when the
turnkey at the jail went the rounds to arouse
the prisoners and have them dress and pre-
pare for the days work. he missed John f.
Richmond and Simeon Yeaton from their cells
The other prisoners were all right. The turn
key Immediately notified Sheriff Dresser and
thorough examination took place. When
the turnkey last saw the prisoners it was about
o'clock Monday night. Then, as usual
everything was right and he locked all the
cell and main doors and retired From that
time until a. NJ, it is not customary to 90 the
rounds
Richmond and Yeaton occupied cells in the
upper corridor of the last wing. This wing is
separated from an entry way by a large iron
door. Opposite this door, on the other side of
the entry, is another large iron door which
leads into the workshop. 1t appears that
Richmond while engaged in the shop, had
manufactured from some sheet iron which he
had picked up some false keys which are very
skilfully made. One of these keys fitted the
cell-locks-the same style lock fastens all the
cells-and with this Richmond evidently.
after letting himself out let out Yeaton.
Moriarty and Haggerton occupied the cells
with the men. They did not go probably as
their term had nearly expired The two then
proceeded to the lower floor of the wing, and
with another key, unfastened the iron door
that led into the entry-way, and in order to
bother the sheriff left the key in the lock on
the other side after refastening the door. By
that means they knew if their escape should
accidentally be discovered before they left the
building great deal of time would be wasted
by their pursuers trying to open the door from
the pris on side, while the keyremained in the
lock.
Having gained the entry the prisoners I'M
fastened the iron door into the workshop with
still another key, went down into the base
ment and there unlocked with fourth key
the iron door that separates the basement of
the workshop from the engineers room. Once
in the engineers room escape was easy, as
they could pass into the coal pen and thence
through the ordinary unguarded cellar win
dow into the street at the rear of the Jail and
made off.
Richmond it will be remembered, was ar
rested about year ago for the burglary at
Yarmouth where he broke into Loring's mill
and blew open the safe. He also, previously,
been interested in the pedestrian tournaments
at Lancaster Hall, and was ieweller by
trade and skilled workman. He was sem
fenced to three years in the State Prison. but
at the request of many well known citizens
this sentence was changed by Judge Bonney
to imprisonment in the county jail. He had
two years more to serve. He is 80 years OF
age and his description will be found else
where.
Simeon Yeaton formerly kept the Brewer
House and was sentenced to Jail for liquor
selling for twenty-six months His sentence
had almost expired. He probably assisted
Richmond with the understanding he should
be liberated in return. If Richmond had been
SO inclined he might have released the whole
fifteen prisoners confined in the wing.
Besides the key left in the lock, two of the
other three were left side of the last grating.
There is no doubt that Richmond has accom-
plished real feat in the manufacture of these
keys, one of which is like thin safe key. No
doubt the keys were made one by one, and
the workshop visited at night in order to
manufacture them. Richmond prabably after
making the keys, laid Ibis plans and success
fully carried them out. A proper description
of the men will be found elsewhere