Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-03
INMATES OF THE JAIL.
hH ALLEGATION THAT TOO MUCH LIB
ERTY rs ALLOWED GoDsEY.
Attempt OF Two OF the Colored Prisoners to
Break Out" Doctor" Hercules
Turns Informer.

Va%Nt AAhiho aA1CAAtOb nd' tctb NaitCN
to publication alleging that the officers Of
the city Jail have been derelIet in their duty
in the matter OF w. II. Godscy, prisoner.
Godsey shot and killed Dave Glass, coored
waiter at the st. Charles Hotel, some months
ago. and Is now awating trial. Itisrepresent-
cd that he has been allowed to 20 out OF the
jail and that his imprisonment therein In no
wise complies with the requirements OF the
law.
His Honor has ordered two witnesses 10
be summoned TO appear before him this
morning, and II their evidence iustifies 1t,
will proceed az the Code directs against ex-
Sergeant Smith and the jailcr.
Mr.. Smith denies all the material allega-
tons and explains that the charge that God
scy has been allowed TO leave the jail has
only this truth in 1t: That he was given the
liberty OF the yard and on one occasion, in
the presence OF an officer, weHt 10 the car
raee-block on the sidewalk, some six feet
from the MARSHALL street entrance 10 the jail.
The offence does not amount to 20 "es-
cape. .%and It is a question whether II can be
treated as a contempt Of court. aud 1t is not
simplified by the fact that Mr.. Smith has
gone out OF Office.
Attempted Escape.
The first day OF the administration OF
Mr.. Robert A. Carter as City Sergeant was
made somewhat eyentful by worrying
though not serious occurrence.
blr. Carter assumed charge Of bis Office
Sunday morning, and bis deputies, who had
beforehand acquainted themselves in mea-
sure with their duties, were all at their posts
at the city Jail. Things went o. smoothly
until about nOon or soon thereaft, ?, when 1t
tlaf nd 81
liam Lewis, two colored prisoners. bad made
n very bold attempt to treak jail. This ere.
at6d quite stir, but the two mer were soon
placed in more secure quarters, aud after
short while things quieted down to their
normal condition.
HOW IT WAS DONE.
During the morning, 1t appears. Deanc,
who is A bold, daring fellow. went TO closet
at the back part OF the colored ward, and
succeeded in wrenchiug one OF the hinges
of the door. This he used TO cut into the
wall with. Lewis had been let into the
secret, but was not to play so prominent
part as Deane. II Is not improbable that
others were to be benefited II the scheme
worked well, but there was nothing TO show
this in the Information that the officials
obtained. In the daytime the prisoners are
not locked IN their cells, and the colored ones
are allowed to walk about in the court on the
south side OF the prison, and which Is
separated from the city stables yard by 4
wall some thirty or more feet IN height.
With his hinge as pick Deane was proceed
ing TO cut through this wall. and bad gotten
ont several bricks, when he learned that the
officers bad found him out and were coming.
He was then suddenly seized with the re-
mombrance that he was not keeping the Sab
bath holy, and desiSted from further
labor. II would have taken some time for
Desne 10 effect bis escape by this means, but
it would have been accomplished had he
and his accomplices not been interfered
with.
HERCULES THE INFORMER.
In this case DR.. Hercules alias Bristi. the
negro who has appeared in 80 many roles
and has fallen from grace and become such a
sinner and swindler, turned good and be-
came the iniOrmer against the wOuld-be
escaners. IIercules's remorseful conscience
doubtless became heavy and ne felt obliged
10 reveal the naughtiness of his associates in
the unhappy home OF his adoption. Or 1t
may be that he did not desire to get rid OF
such good company. At any rate he sent a
nOte TO Sergeant Carter, which gave such
information as TO lead To the detection Of the
onencc. As soon as the note was received
Sergeant Carter and Turnkey O'ConnOr
went down into the prison aud placed Dcane
and Lewis both in lined cells on the front
side Of the prison. where they are still kept.
They are now feasting on bread and water,
and will probably be taken before the Police
Court to-day TO answer for their ugly con-
duet. There was found in Deane's cell
heavy billy or sung.shot in the shape OF
piece Of iron tied up in piece OF strong
flannel and covered with leather There are
few more formidable weapons.
THE PARTIES.
Charles Deaue is looked upon as a despe-
rate character He Is about five feet eleven
inches in height and Of powerful physique.
lie is under thirty years OF age, and, from
all accounts, has spent much OF his life IN
crime. lie was sent to Jail on the 18th OF
April for larceny, and on the 9TH OF May be
made a desperate attempt to break Jail but
was caught. For this ninety days was added
TO his term OF imprisonment. When caught
here be was wanted IN Norfolk, Washington.
and other places for different crimes. and
doubtless when released here he will be
taken elsewhere for trial.
William Lewis is less notorious than
Deane. He was before the Police Court the
18th Of June. and was sent on TO the grand
Jury 10 answer the charge Of breaking and
entering in the daytime the storehOuse OF A.
W. Leonard and stealing three boxes OF
cigars. Mr. Leonard keeps an eating house
at the ExpOstion-Grounds.