The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-05-11
Poke WELLS
Further Details OF the Manner OF His
Escape from Prison.

| Escape rum REAoGns
FORT MADISON, L., May 3.-Eurthel
particulars are at hand concerning the
escaped convicts, Wells, Cook and Fiiz
gerald, which effectually refutes the idet
that they had assistance and had gone
south on horseback towards Missouri
1 About four miles from this city lives ar
old farmer named Witherspoon; and
yesterday evening while he was engaged
doing his chores for the night, be Be
came aware of the presence Of some
thing strange in his hay loft, concealed
beneath the hay. He probed saNageay
at the place where he heard the susDi.
lcious noises and noted the out-of-the
way movements, and was rewarded by q
SAVAGE ROAR OF PAIN
from Polk Wells, whom he pierced in
the shoulder. Wells Immediately threw
off his covering and assaulted the
farmer, in which he was at once assisted
by his two comrades; but the old farmer
battled valiantly, and telling Wells to
the ground with blow from his fork,
he called loudly for help, which forum
! Y ately was near at hand in the person Of
cOlored hired man, Henry Smith; but
though the convicts were all in roor
condition physically, Polk being espe-
cialiy so, after g short but desperate
Struggle, all three
ESCAPED TO THE WOODS.
Fitzgerald, however, as stated in last
nights dispatch, was subsequently, cap
tured-or rather he gave himself up
and was brought back to prison by Con-
stable Schier. He represents Wells as
suffering intensely from his wounds.
The two outlaws still at large were seen
| back in the bluffs several miles west of
| small station called Weaver, on the
Council Bluffs 81 Quincy road, about
six or eight miles north of this city, GO
ing toward Burlington. It is not
thought possible for them TO remain
long at large at this writing.
THE DEsPERADoES' ESCAPE.
Further and accurate particulars can
now be CLEANED as to the manner in
which the escape was effected. AS
previously stated. Polk was placed in
the hospital when he was incarcerated
here, April 1st, by reason of his severe
wounds, his brain has since been busy
with schemes to escape. He enlisted
name Of Cook, and another convict by
the name of Fitzgerald, in the under
taking which eliminated Monday morn
ing at about 2 O'Clock. Mr.. Elder, an
old and highly respected citizen of this
place, was night guard at the prison,
and went on the service Sunday evening
at o'clock About 9 o'clock, p m, he
COMPLAINED OF BEING UNWELL,
when the hospital Jumper went to the
dispensary and got bottle which he
said was wine, and pouring some of it
into glass offered 1t to him, which he
drank. In few minutes Elder CON-
planned of the dose being strong and
drank some water. In a short time
afterward Elder fell from his chair on
to the floor. Wells and Fitzgerald
picked him up and laid him on bed,
and proceeded
TO STRIP HIM OF HIS CLOTHES,
Wells putting on his hat and pants.
Cook, at this time, was busy putting a
hole through the roof of the hospital
privy. Fitzgerald held handkerchief
with chlorOform to Elders nose from
the time he was laid on the bed
till the time of their escape, about 9
O'Clock Monday morning. Wells put in
his time walking through the hospital
room with cane and knife, threatening
and intimidating the other convicts
who were confined to their beds in the
hospital, admonishing them to keep
quiet
ATTHE PERIL OF THEIR LIVES.
At abOus 2 90 O'Clock in the morning,
Ed. Huffman, being told by the night
turnkey to go up to the hospital, went
there and raped on the idoor, and in
stead of being admitted by the now
dead guard, Elder, he was admitted by
Poke Wells and Immediately piniOned
by Wells and Fitzgerald, who threat
ened to cut his throat if he made the
least noise. 1t is needless to say that he
obeyed them. They tied his hands to-
gether and a handkerchief over his
mouth, and babe him set down in a
chair. They then
EXTENDED A GENERAL INVITATION
to all the convicts in the hospital to es-
cape with them. Cook, during all this
time, by dIlligent work, had succeeded
in making a sufficient opening in the
roof to admit of their escape. Cook
went first, Wells second and Fitzgerald
last. They ran over the roof, jumped
down onto the walk and from there down
"a large iron guy rod from a smoke stack
to the ground. Huffman, after their de-
parture, Immediately gave the alarm,
and
PURSUIT WAS AT ONCE ORGANIZED.
Warden Mcmillan has offered $500
reward for Wells, dead or alive, and
there is standing reward by the state
for the capture of any escaped convict,
of fifty dollars. The verdict of the cor
OucE jury III ISSoIu W TIC uodtn VI the
guard, Elder, was that he died from the
effect of chloroform administered by
Wells, Cook and Fitzgerald.
kEoKUK, Iowa, May A Constitu-
TONS Fort Madison special says that the
notorious Poke Wells aad Cook were
arrested this morning. They were found
in 81. Steniger's barn about six miles
from here, and surrendered at the muz-
zle of double barreled gun in the hands
| of Steniger and his sons. They were
just brought in by Steniger and a posse
| of men in a wagon.