Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1883-07-12
A BREAK FOR LIBERTY.
Convicts at Salem mako a Desperats
Charge for Freedom.

SALEM, July Especial. AT about
$3.50 this morning the people of this city
were surprised by the appearance of
messenger from the State prison, bring
ing the startling news that an attempt
had been made by the prisoners in Gold
smith 4 Lowenberg's stove foundry to
overpower the officers and guards and
make their escape. Your representative
Immediately fastened to the penitentiary
and ascertaincd the following particulars:
A plot had been arranged by the prison
ers at work in the boundary to oyerpow-
er, at a certain signal, the officers in charge
and make desperate struggle fer liberty.
Their actions aroused the suspicious of
George Fletcher, one Of the overseers,
who, seeing the first warden, George Col
Inns, in the yard near the shops, stepped
out to inform him of what he had seen.
Just at that moment John MeKern and
Gid Becham rushed cut Of the shops, fol
lowed by about 40 or so other conviets,
armed with iron bars and other danger
Gus weapons, the most desperate ones III
the lead. Collins and Fletcher were i'm
mediatcly seized by the same colvicts,
| who marched them in front, thus protect
ing themselves from the guard at the
west gate In an instant they were at
small gate at the northwest corner of the
prison and near the guard, Wilford Still
well at the west gate, whom the convicts
told that if he fired at them they would
Kill Warden Collins and Oyerseer Fleteh-
er But their threats were of no avail.
Stilwsll
RAISED HIS GIN AHD PULLED THE
TRIGGER,
But it missed fire Running to his stand
he secured another gun and some cart
ridges, and fred into the crowd as they
were passing through the gate, instantly
killing one Of the prisoners named Chas
Brown, the ball enterining his head Just
above the right eai and ranging down
ward. At this time Fletcher succeeded
in freeing himself, and closing the gate
prevented the remainder Of the prisoners
from escaping. In the meantime the
guard fred again, wounding McKorn,
one Of the leaders, the ball taking effect
in the lower part of the hip, Just as they
were entering the Office for the purpose
of securing firearms. Enraged at the
good craftsmanship and the inroads Mr.
Stilwell was making in their ranks, Smith,
one Of the gang, attempted to cut the
throat OF Warden Collins, he having
threatened before to do SO. Mr.. Gobat,
the turnkey, observing this action drew
his pistol and attempted to fire, but was
overpowered by the convicts, but not un-
til he had fired one shot, which took eff
feet in the wall of the cffice. Mr.. Gobat
is an uncrring marksman, and would have
killed his man had not his arm been
thrown aside by one of the gang.
The afiray was now getting interesting,
Smith, realizing the situation, grabbed a
tamping iron, which had been taken from
the foundry from another prisoner, and
ATTEMPTED TO STRIKE TIE TURNKEY
On the head, but Mr.. Collins, by an
almost super-human effort, managed to
get between the man just in time to re-
ceive the full wcight Of the blow, there
by saving the life of Mr.. Groat They
wrenched turnkey Gobat's pistol, which
yet contained three loads, from his hands,
and Bradshaw. noted desperate, Sc
cured Superintendent STATIONS rifle,
which was standing in the Office. Fear
ing further assistance to the officers, they
rushed from the building, going out both
the north and front side of the buillins,
and took to their heels down the avenue.
In the meantime Stilwell was doing gal
lant service. He shot Ben Rivers, who
was in the hall way in the back, killing