Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-26
LETTER FROM WEST FLORIDA.
County Jail on FIre-JaIler Absent
ana the Key LOst-Great Excite
menI-Key FOund-PrisOners Res
cued and the Flames Extin-
guIshed.

MARIASSA. Fla, February 23.- Editor MOTTs-
ilg Netcs: About seven O'Clock this evening
our fire bells were again sounded, and the
county Jail, in which were four prisoners, dis
covered to be on fire. Two prisoners in an ad-
Joining cell to that in which the fire
occurred seemed very much excited,
while the two in the burning
cell did not appear to be alarmed. The Sheriff
and jaiIer being both absent from town, the
kew of the Jail could not be found for half an
hour or more, during which time much con-
fusion existed. Efforts we're made to break
omen the iron doors, but without success. At
last tee key. came: The prisoners were leo 1eG
were handcuffed and put in chains. In the
meantime our esteemed friends. Messrs. Gary
Horne and Frank Philips always to the front
under such circumstances), aided by PostmaS-
ter Livingston and host OF others OF ootn
races, succeeded in subduing the flames
After the excitement had subslded the prs
oners were conducted back to another CELL The
damage to the Jail is estimated at one hundred
Two of the prisoners are white men: the
other two are negroes they are an cnaTgeo
with peFpetrating or attempting tne perpebEa-
ton OF outrag-s upon different females.
While in the court house we interviewed the
prisoners and gathered from them the IoiioW-
ing: The two whites, Lambert and Cox. we're
in a cell together In regard to the origin OF
the a IRE. they state they had two matches
drought in with them) with which they set
some splinters on fire and applied these TO
crack in the floor their object being to burn a
hole IN the floor through which they might
make their escape. The prisoners IN the ad-
Joining cell knew nothing Of this project.
Lambert we hear. is an infamous character.
He seems 70 be about p years OF age. His
physiognomy plainly indicates his character.
he is charged with having committed his
crime In Calhoun county on the person or MRS
kdIrins He denies the charge Says he was
tried before Justice Baker last December; was
Convicted and ordered to jail Says be brfbed
the officer with $50; went cff and returned to
ne home in jackson county. He was re
captured during the early part OF TINS montn
a. bas made several attempts TO break Jail
ge had a DocketboOk with $l3 IN 1t
The case cf Cox Is, indeed, pecuilar one
He is chsrged with having per 81 Ou. 5
rage upon his own daughter. his VIE ana
1Ia7I0hfer both testify against him. frlor 70
1879 he was a man Of very fair character IN ms
county fWashfnetonl In 1873 he was q can
didate for the Legislature Of Florida, ana re-
ceived very fattering vote, tnougn ne H4s "a
not elected He was imprisoned last Nay; " nc
| is yerv much enaeiated, and Is and has been
quite sick He said he did not rear triaI w5S 11
anxious for it, and ives quite connoenb oi ~
ouittal He said he had been Tor SONS nli9
| an Illicit distilIer in Washington county, anu
| that this had brought him to hss present con-
/ dition. said his wife was unsuccessful IN ap-
plying for divorce. and resorted to tins means
| to obtain a separation. -,
The two negroes. Henry Toombs and Dowell
| Dauiel said they were jailed for nothing, anu
seemed 20 fear no danger. There rs nOtnlhe
/ of special interest in their case All parties
were negroes, and the standard OF morality Is
very low among them. We are indebted 10
| pur excellent County Clerk. MIR. Frank Philips,
| for courtesies extended Us In making out our
report - -" - " = =;