The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1884-02-27
Overcomes Two Men, PIunges
Through a Win dow and Falls
Twenty Feet.

Charles IL. Rugg, the negro who was
arrested for nearly beating to death Far
mer Selah Sprague, in East Meadow.
near Hampstead, on January II, VINO
atterward was proved TO have assaulted
the Townsends In Oyster Bay, and who
is thought to have murdered the May
bees, was lodged in the Queens county
Court House, In Long Island City. on
the night Of his capture. The New York
SIM of yesterday says: He was seized
with fits and falnting spells, and at one
time 1t seemed as though he We're going
to die. lie received constant medical at
tendance. and Jaiier John Murphy sat
up with him many nights.
Rugg was confined 10 cell 3, on the bot
tom tier, which is half a dozen steps be
low the ground floor. \ heavy grated
iron door shuts off the corridor on which
the cells open. The door is a recess lust
off the ~jailer's office. Jailer John Muir
ply was on duty on Sunday night, and
complained that he was feeling sick. and
said that he thought one OF thefits which
had afflicted him on several other &C
casions since he had been in jail was com
ing upon him again.
u I'M i1lUuttS DGlOIC ~ y CiOck On
Sunday night Murphy noticed that Rugg
was sitting on a stool shaking violently.
Murphy went back to the %jailer's office
and mixed Isugg a powder which had
been left for him by Or. William Ii. Bur
nett, who had him in his care When he
got back to Riggs cell Rugg appeared to
be very weak. Murphy opened the cell
door with his key and handed Rugg the
cup holding the powder. Rugg drank it
at a gulp, and as Murphy reached for
the cup he sprang upon him and ciutched
his neck.
The j%ailer, who is a very large, power
fui man. struggled hard to break away,
bat could not. He managed, however,
TO strike Rugg several blows in the face.
lie shouted loudly for help. Rngg struck
MIN three times on TIE head with a stool
threw him violently down aal made a
break tor the door.
just then ex Mayor Dehevoise. Of Long
Island City, who is an inmate If the
prison, ran to the ~jailer's assistance. He
brought with him a policcman's billy,
which was the only available weapon.
lie struck Rugg on the forehead, cutting
bin and drawing blood, which flowed
down on his face. Rugg staggered back
against the wall and gasped:
Its al up I'll quit"
Instead of yielding Rugg darted ike
lightning through the cell door and went
flying through the corridor leading to
he %jailer's office. The doors leading
from the Office to the street were locked.
aud Rugg dashed upstairs into the cor
rldor Ct the Court House, Of which the
jail forms a part, and ran into Tie Grand
jury room, which faces Thompson
avenue. Without stopping to open the
window he plunged headlong throu.b
the glass. lie landed in the mud twenty
feet below, picked himself up without
appearing to be injured, and disappeared
in the darkness.
Jailer Murphy ran after him for some
distance, but was not able TO keen him
III sight. Messengers were sent to Sheriff
Garret Furman, of Queens county. an
nounclng Riggs escape, and asking him
{ come at once to the Jail. Messengers
were also sent to the Long Island civ
police station, whence a general alarm
was telegraphed to the Police Headouar.
ters in Brooklyn. Twenty minutes after
Rugg had gained his liberty an account
OF his escape and his description was
spread among the police ofBrooklyn and