Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-09
BOLD RLACHwEL BROWN.
circumstance OF HTS Escape from
Hail TueEfay

William Black well nuns Brown. who
made good his escape from the city jail
on Tuesday evening about 5:30 o'clock,
is still st large. City-Sergeant X. A.
Carter took the Chesapeake and Ohio
tram Tuesday night for the West, and
Depnty-Sergeant Burgess went down to
West Point on 2 search, aud they and all
their corps are using all the means III
their power to recapture the prisoner.
Soon after the alarm OF the prisoners
escape was made Blackwell was seen by
three colored youths who recognized
him. He was then near the Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad, Just above the passen-
ger depot. The youths gave him chase,
and when they reached the railroad q
long train OF cars was Just moving out,
and Blackwell ran between two cars and
made bis escape on the other side.
Tie Jail officials, police, Detective
WiIbern, and others made n thorough
search in the vicinity, but all their ef-
forts we're fruitless.
About o'clock Tuesday evening
Blackwclls wife visited him and they
had short conversation at the gate Of
the inner yard OF the jail. Mr.. Kerse,
the day officer at The jail, was sitting q
few feet from them and be saw her haud
him fifty cents. Whether the prisoner
had more money Jpon ms person IS not
known.
Detective Wilbcrn was 70 have left
with Blackwell for Kentucky on the
G:1O Chesapeake and Ohio express Tues
day evening, At $50 he went to the
jail and took with him handouts 10 put
upon the prisoner and take him TO the
depot, when he learned that he had
escaped. The detective willremain here
until to-day, when he will receive in
Hruct6ns from Norfolk whether 10 60 IN
search Of the prisoner or return home.
Blackwell and the other prisoners wero
allowed the freedom Of the inner Yard Ot
the Jail. A corridor runs along the entire
length Of TINS ward. From this corridor
mp to the row Of windows is about twelve
feet II is supposed that Blackwell was
assisted in his escape by some OF the
other prisoners. With help 1t would have
been 10 difficult matter to reach the iron
bars across one Of these windows. and
then easier still to Chamber to the top Of
the roof
AZ heretofore stated, . colored inmate
saw him as he climbed up on the roof,
and asked him what he was going to do.
Blackwell replied 81 am going to r.
pair the root No alarm was given by
the woman, who saws she thought Black
well was telling the truth.
Having once reached the roof Black
well proceeded to let himself down at
the east end bv means Of rope made
from % biaukct with q stout stick tied to
one end Of the rope and placed through
the opening III the wall at the top Of ,he
tin cutter at this end Of the building
lie had a distance of about thIrty-iye
feet 10 lower himself 10 reach the shed,
and about eight feet from the shed 20 the
GROUND. All this he accomplished in
about ten MiuUtes Blackwell 8 rope Vae.
made of one of the blankets from Ms
cell or the cell Of one of the other
prisoners he had access to all the cells
in that part Of the building The
prisoner bad lad no visitor since Lis
confinement except his wife, who
came 10 see him occasionally. lie
is about twenty-four years OF ace
il Of medium build, and has small
moustachc, which he is in the habit
OF twisting when engaged in cOnyersa-
ton. When last seen lie had on pair
Of hght-striped pants, light coat and
vest, and corduroy hat.