Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-05-05
THE GATES AJAR.

and Gagging the keeper-One of Them
RetalSen, but 0uintette of Desperadoes
Still at Large.
The county Jail was the scene of a des-
perate and wholly successful attempt at
escape last night, and up to late hour
this morning but one of the fugitives had
been re-captured. It was shortly after IL
o'clock. The day officer, as also the sheriff
had retired, leaving the premises in charge
of JOHN Corcoran, who serves as
night guard. During yesterday, the man
Charles Feston, who had on Thursday at
tempted unsuccessfully to climb the golden
stairs by cutting his throat, was delivered
at the Jail for safe keeping, and assigned
to cell Ne. 2. This cell is on the first tier
of cells facing Fourth street, and is the
second of six, the sixth being at the ex-
treme east end. Turning to the left, one,
after few steps, reaches the CORES pond
ing tier of cells on the opposite side of
the jail, or facing on Fifth street. This
latter tier includes cells eight
and twelve, both of which were occupied.
The cells are contained in a cage, with
walk about five feet in width from end to
end.
Cell six was occupied by John Murphy
and Thomas Johnson, awaiting the action
of the grand jury on a charge of larceny
of trunk. By some means totally mex
plicable, these men had obtained tools
with which they cut the staple into which
| the bolt slides when the cell is locked,
thus rendering their detention matter en-
tirely within the own sweet will of the
| prisoners to determine.
Abovt eleven o'clock the stiffness of the
interior was rudely disturbed by the cries
of Feston, which admonished the jaiIer
| that his attention was demanded within
the cage, and taking his keys he passed
through the outside door, thence through
the door Lee ding to the cells, to ascertain
the cause of the demonstration. He halted
opposite the cell in which Feston was con-
fined, and while he endeavored to soothe
the disturbed mind of the
occupant, Murphy and johnson burst
the door of cell six, and before Corcoran
was able to prevent the assault or raise
an alarm he was in the tolls of their en-
braces. A struggle, brief but determined
ensued, during which one of the prisoners
dealt Corcoran blow over the forehead
with slungshot improvised out of piece
of iron wrapped up in a cloth, which
felled him to the floor, and put period to
his defense. He was then securely bound
with strips torn from the bed clothing, and
conveyed to the cell but just vacated,
where johnson made Intellectual attempts
to gag the unfortunate keeper.
| While johnson WAS thus occupied Muir
ply wrested the keys from Corcoran's
grasp. and going to cells eight and twelve,
releasing from the former Charles Dia-
mond and Con Allen, in for highway rob-
berry; from the latter Frank Mcmahon and
Thomas Finnegan, charged with burglary
These deliverances being accomplished
! .hey returned to where johnson was, and,
, enlisting him in the ranks, hurried through
the south corridor, and made their exit
from the building by way of the west door
. carrying the Jail keys with them. They
+, emerged into Fifth street
which they followed to Mime
i sofa, thence turning north. Neal
!. the intersection of Sixth street, the fugi
thinking it strange that posse should b.
: on the street at that unseemly hour, fol
r lowed after them. Noticing this the birds
of passage separated and quickened thei
: steps to avoid recognition. Officer Mort
. arty, however, came up with one of thu
gang, whom he recognized as Johnson, anC
S after hot tussle overcame the latter ant
e returned with him to Jail.
After the prisoners had fled Corcora1
Z made his way to the outside door with tn
greatest difficulty, and reached that oh
9 jective point just as Moriarty returne'
. with johnson. He was at once release
Is from the thongs which bound him
5 and sounded the alarm. The utmost eX
element was Immediately apparent i
3 both police circles and among citizens
J. representatives of both orders hurrying t
S ascertain the cause. When this was learne
u the police scattered about the city in ever
II direction in the hope of arresting the fl
gitives, but up to a late hour this morning
l. as already stated, none of them had bee
Il come up with.
This is certainly the most brazen a
II tempt at escape that has ever been made i
IS this section of the country, and the wor'
feature eff it is, that the attempt was a
tended with success. All of tn
DO escaped prisoners are desperat
" criminals, who would hesitate at no mean
o to accomplish their object, and hold life E
70 less than pins fee. Whittier they wer
~ is not definitely known, though it was II
Is mored on the streets last night that SON
" of them would probably fly to cover in tt
a. city. This is hardly probable, howeve
az for they are well known, as also are the
IS. haunts,to the police and they would be r
" taken. A full description of each of the
as was sent to the adjoining towns this NOR
~ ing, and the authorities hope to have the
d all back within few days.
Articles OF IncorpOra ton.
Articles of incorporation were filed ye