Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-07-13
DESPERATE MEN.
Daring Attempt of Two Prisoners
to Break From Jail.
Augustus Cove Escapes but Edward
Cunningham is Secured.

saturday afternoon between the hours of
iour and nve O'Clock, two prisoners, Angus
tus Cove and Edward Cunningham. made a
most daring attempt to escape from Kenne-
DEC jail, IN which the former was successful
iheir scheme to obtain their liberty was a
shrewd one and carried out with much cool
ness. At the time of the occurrence. the
turnkey, Mr.. Daniel r. McF alden, brother
OF the Jailer, was setting in the Jail Office.
"hen he heard rap at the iron door which
leads into the guard room, where all the
prisoners have access Proceeding to the
door he unbolted it and found Augustus Cove
and Edward Cunningham facing him with
their coats and hats on. Cove, in a quiet
manner, asked for an envelope and sheet of
Taper. The turnkey was not at all alarmed
at this, as frequently the prisoners come to
the door 10 ask for favors, and, turning
around, he started owards the desk in the
corner Of the room to get the stationery,
leaving the door unfastened He had pro-
ceeded but few steps when the two prison.
ers made determined rush through the office
and by the turnkey to the hall which connects
the front entrance with the office. Cove
continued on, opened the front doors, slipped
out over the front step, and escaped. no one
seeing him OF marking the direction which
he took. But Cunningham was not so for
tunate. Seeing the fleeing men as they
jumped forward the turnkey seized Cum
ningham, who was behind, and struggle
ensued. The prisoner in his efforts to es-
cape managed to move across the office and
through the door into the hall referred to
above Just beyond the door is flight of
stairs leading to the basement below Here
the desperate made iunge towards the
stairs, and both men fell to the foot with a
crash, striking but once their way down.
Luckily Mr. McFsdden fell on top Cum
ningham then made another struggle for HE
liberty, and being powerful man was hard
to handle. But the turnkey pluckily subdued
his man, and secured him in the dungeon. lie
was obliged to throw him dow n several times,
and at one time Cunningham got the officers
thumb into his mouth and bit it severely, and
was only prevailed upon to relax his teeth
after being choked severely. There being
no other men in the building besides the
prisoners to aid the turnkey, Deputy Sheriff
! Sewall was summoned from the Court House,
but did not arrive until Cunningham had been
! secured. Yesterday Cove was heard from
1t was learned that at 7.l5 o'clock Saturday
night he appeared at BIRTHS Gully. below the
city, and Mr.. Charles Britt. not knowing who
| he was, ferried him across the river to a field
near the Hospital. When last seen he was
going in direction which would bring him to
the Haliowell road l"edng to his home in
house of his aunt in Pttston The officers
were at the latter place Saturday night about
| IL o'clock, and it is thought that the runa-
way arrived there about the time they left
Cove, it will be remembered, was the man
who robbed Landlord Quimby, Hotel North,
of jewery and $500 in money the night of
the 9TH of June, and he had been bound
over for his appearance at the September
court. He has denied all along that he ever
took the money and he told such a plausible
story that several level-headed men believed
him; but they have now got their eyes opened.
He is bnt Il years of age. of medium stature,
light complexion and leaden colored, hang
dog ewes. Cunningham was bound over to
the September court for entering Morrel &
Gordon's grain store at Readtield on the night
of May 25th. He was captured at Yarmouth
a week later by the officers. He is % wears
of age, rather tall and slim. and quite mus
cular 1t is believed that he concocted the
scheme to escape. Both men had prospec-
tive terms in State Prison staring them in the
face.