The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-01-04
A DESPERATE DEED.
Texas Murtlerers Escape from JaII, Dnt
are Hunted and shot Down.


are Hunted and shot Down,
ST. LOUIS, january 3.-Advices from
Graham, Texas, report that the three Me-
Donald boys, the murderers of a man
named Martin at Belknap, made a desper-
ate effort to escape from the Jail Yesterday.
which resulted in their death and that Of
the Deputy Sheriff, besides the woundipv
OF several other people About 10 o'clocs
in the morning the Mcdonald bows we're
led from the steel cage 10 the caiaboose,
and with jim Boone and jack Baldwin.
two other prisoners, were given their break.
last by two deputies. One deputy was
testing the cage while it was empty, and
the other deputy, Davis Melton, stood in
the doorway OF the warden's cell opening
from the calaboose to the steel cage He
had pistol in each hand keeping watch.
Presently he put both revoIvers in one
hand to get match from his pocket. when
the McDonalds sprang upon him snddenlv
and disarmed him. II the struggle Melton
was shot in the hand. His cries brought
Murtee the other deputy, from the c1rs
but on entering the Calaboose he was In,
stantly killed by a shot from one of tho
prisoners, who then made hole thropeb
the floor to the room below, and takine
Melton with them, began their escape K
blood hound watches the Jail, but bv ooine
around him they avoided detection an3
took their flight in southerly direction
By this time the whole CITY was exciteJ
The citizens had gathered two hundred men
together and started in pursuit. The latter
placed their hostage, Davis, behind them.
ana threatened to shoot ,h;m dead II they
were fired on. Thus the murderers prc.
ceeded some three hundred yards, when
one o. the citizens deliberately took aim.
and firing, mortally wounded one OF the
iiuglhves, who fell. Deputy Melton seized
the opportunity, broke loose and ran. A
general fire was now exchanged between
the citizens and the escaping prisoners. The
iattef fehtfenched themselves behind stumps
and the battle ragged for some time, result.
ing In the death OF the three McDonnids
Melton was shot three times. An old mnn}
named Wood, was wounded in the thiIb
A waiter named Joe, had the bone OF his
leg shattered. Baldwin and Boone too, noI
part IN the shooting and were recaptured
Graham was scene OF terrible excitement
during the bloody ARRAY.
GRAYHAM, TEX, January 3.-Depntv
SHERIFF. Murfee and Melton yesterday tooR
Peter Nienolas and D. Mcdonald, tie mnE.
derers Of Martin at Belknap, from their
steel cell to give them their breakfast whsn
Mcdonald assaulted the guards, took aWSS
their pistols, shot Melton and shot and
killed Murfee. The murderers then hen
hed. A great crowd Of armed
citlzenspursued them. One OF the prisOIlsrs
held Melton in such position that the
citizens feared, to fire lest they should Iii
Melton. Presently good marksman shot
one Of the McDonalds who held Melton
through the head killing him Instantly,
The two other McD Donalds madea desperaie
resistance firing rapidly and wounditr two two
citizens. In q few seconds, however, botb
iell dead, rlddled with bullets, making four
men killed and three wounded. A
| was in progress ut the time and many ,ys wo.
. men tainted. VIZ