The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-05-27
ESCAPE OF ELISHA REED.

On Thursday morning of last week Jailer
Lyle left Elisha Reed, indicted for the muir
der of Eugene Garladd, IN the cage OF the
Jail, locked the doors of the building and
went down street. When he returned Reed
was gone. Mr.. Lytle now believes that In
closing the door of the cage he had failed to
turn the key in the lock, hence during his
absence Reed had only 10 turn the knob, get
into the corridor and from thence escape by
n window. Lytls assumes all the blame OF the
escape, aud believes that was the only pc :
sible manner In which IL could have been
done.
Sheriff Strany at once notified neighboring
officers oy telegraph Of the escape and de-
scription of the prisoner, and men were sent
IN pursuit and to head Reed off in any direc-
ton by which he might seek to escape. The
heavily widowed stream passing near the jail
afforded the prisoner opportunity to reach
the river or the mountains without much fear
of detection, and 1t is probable he had an
honr or two the start of any pursuers. Moth
ing was heard Of him until Sunday morning,
when DIR. Mitchell returning from Flint creek
brought advices from the railroad camp,
which confirmed by q visit of Sheriff Strang
on Tuesday, are rs follows On last Friday
evening, Just Mt dark, the N. +. surveyors
were camped near the mouth Of Gold creek
on the south side, near the old village. The
lights were extinguished In all but the en-
gineer's tent. One of the party, however,was
standing some distance from the tent and OBJ
served man running out from the point to-
ward the tent. As he approached he slack
ened his pace to walk. When within few
yards of the tent he dropped on the ground
what afterward proved to be q willow CLUB
couple Of feet long, advanced few steps, re-
turned and picked up the club and advanced
to the tent. Throwing the flaps Of the tent
open with both hands he said Good even
ing" to the person inside, and inquired II he
could get employment He was told the en-
gineer corps did not require any more help,
but that the grading parties might. just then
the person who had been standing outside
approached and accosted him. He dropped
the tent flaps suddenly and turned around.
He asked for something to eat. saying he
was as hungry as a son Of gnn.' He in
ouired the whereabouts Of Bailey's bridge,
and being given three biscuit started Off. The
next morning curl Of faint smoke was seen
issuing from one of the old Gold creek cabins
and examination showed IL had been occu-
pied during 1t least . portion Of the night, .
small fire having been made and . couple OF
boards laid near 1t on which q man could
have laid. Some OF the ends Of the boards
were still burning. The traveller had prob
ably staid there until the moon raised. Up
70 this time only the strange actions Of the
man excited curiosity. On Saturday evening
Mr.. Fisk brought down . copy Of the NEW
NoRrH-w EST, and suspicion ut once rested
upon him as having been the escaped MUIR
derer. Mr.. Strange Inquiries developed
description that left no doubt, even 70 coat
| OF peculiar make and color that Reed had "a
ken from the jail In the mean time -
soon - DR.. Mitchell arrived, Mr.. Lyle
mounted and in few hours had assured him.
self of the identity Of the traveller and taken
measures TO intercept him.
Up to the present writing NO word has
| reached here Of Reeds rccaDture. While
such an oversight ~ falling TO lock the cage
might possibly occur even with the utmost
vigilance, and there N no doubt Mr.. Lytls
believed his prisoner secure, the act cannot
be characterized - otherwise than careless
We trust for Lytlc's sake Rced viii b. recap
tured, ~ well ~ that Justice may be admin
| istered by law. The excellence Of the jail
the good fortune In preventing escapes here
tofore, and the presence Of only one prisonsl
inspired too much condolences; hut, however
this pursuit may result, the watch Win b
RENT close enough hereafter.
.-~-.,s~ -,rre made Int FRIDAY viii