Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-14
CRIME F0ILED BY CONVICT
BBB COUNTY'S JAILOR SAVED
BY A TRUSTY.

Green Rickerson Plans an Assault and
Break for Liberty-The Site of Macon's
New Government Building Being Ex-
amined i'm the RecOrds-Death of a
Prosperous Citizen.
MACON, GA, Aug. 13.-Nat. Birdsong,
Bib0 codnty's jailer, had a narrow escape
from death yesterday at the hands of
Green Rickerson, who is alleged to have
killed Brown, the hackman, about six
weeks ago. The cells are so arranged
that Mr.. Birdsong, by standing outside,
can lock or unlock each one with perfect
safety to himself He makes the prisoners
20 into the cell and with lever locks
them in. Unless the cell doors are pulled
together tightly the prisoners they will not
lock, yet viii not interfere with the other
cells. Yesterday, just after they had been
fed Mr.. Birdsong told them to return to
their cells.
sAFED BY A TRUSTY.
This they did, but Green Rickerson left
his door just enough open that it would
not lock, yet not be observed by the taller,
who left the room and was entering his
office, when a prisoner (James Phillips),
who is a king OF TRUSTEES, called him and.
telling him that he had overheard Kicker
son and two other prisoners in the same
cell planning to escape, asked him TO see
If the door was locked. On observation it
was found open. The plot was that when
the jailer entered last night with the sup
per RickersOn and his companions were
TO rush out, overpower him, and make
their escape; but the fidelity of Phillips
spoiled the plot and, perhaps, saved Bird
songs life.
DEATH OF c. MACHOLD.
G. Machold, after long and lingering
s.,l,
pain, breathed his last this morning at
S:45 O'Clock at his residence. No. 81 Fourth
street. Mr.. MachOld was a native of
Ihueringen, Germany, and was So years
old. He has resided in Macon since lS40,
and has been merchandising most Of this
time. He had made many friends in this
city, and has held several important
offices Of trust. He has been for years
President of the Ocmulgee Fire Company,
and has been Chief Engineer and Assis-
tant Engineer of the fire department. At
the time Of his death he was
a member Of the Odd Fellows, Knights OF
Pythias, and the Home Guardians. The
funeral services will take place to-mOr-
row afternoon at 8 O'Clock. The fire de-
partment, as customary, will attend his
funeral in body.
SIMMONS AND BACON.
While discussing the gubernatorial
question to-day, prominent politician,
who holds a county Office. and a warm
friend of Mr.. Simmons, said to the NEWS
correspondent: "You newspaper men
write as If you believe both Messrs Sim
mons and Bacon will go into the nOminat-
ing convention as candidates for guber-
material honOrs. Judge Simmons does
not propose to hamper the chances
of Col. Bacon if there is
any possible way TO avoid it.
He is perfectly willing to run before the
people OF Blob county in a primary cleo
tiOn, and if he is defeated will retire
gracefully. If Col. Bacon won't agree to
this, why with a wink J, il we send Sim
mons delegates to the convention, we
only know Simmons"
LOOKING UP DEEDS.
Col. S. A. Darnell, OF Savannah, United
States Attorney, is here to-day for the
purpose Of examining the deeds to the lot
purchased for the government building.
1t is expected that work will be begun on
the building in two months