Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-08-24
"skipped by the Light of the Moon"

Considerable excitement was created in
Woodstock on Thursday the 10th, short
time after dark, by report that Charles
Groves, the young man from Edinburg,
who had been committed to Jail a short
time Def ore charged with the burglary of
Hopewelps jewelry store in that place
and Geo. Kesner, alias David Kesner, alias
David Hardy, who was in prison on the
charge of stealing lot of CLOVER seed
from Mf Good in the upper end OF the
county, had broken Jail and 80 far had
eluded pursuit The Whole affair was
we'll planned and successfully carried out
1t appears that during the intensely hot
weather of the past few weeks the pris-
soners were allowed to remain in the yard
in rear of the Jail until dark when they
we're locked up in the building. Such was
the case with Groves and Kesner. About
dusk Mrs. Shull, while clearing up the
supper dishes in the kitchen, noticed
through the small opening in the door be-
tween her and the prisoners, that Groves
and Kesner were sitting in the door or on
the step leading INTO the Jail yard
which is enclosed by high smoothly
plastered wall. In a very short time
afterward, only few minutes, the two
men were missing, and hasty examina-
ton showed that they had placed an old
cot against the wall in the corner, and
with il and some slaves from wooden
waste bucket, which they had driven into
an opening caused by the wall settling
away from the main building had gotten
over and were at liberty. In few mo-
ments crowd was engaged in closely
searching the town and kilograms were
sent mp and down the road, one OF which
brought detective McDevitt, who had
worked up the jewelry burglary and ar
rested Groves. He was at Edinburg, and
soon after his arrival here a job press IN
this Office was at work p rinting postal
cards giving full description of Groves
and offering 500 for his apprehension
The next morning the escape was the
principal subject OF conversation, ana
during the forenoon, while every one was
eagerly listening for news from the oflcers
and Others who were out on the hunt,
they were % tonished to see him walk up
to tn door in company. with his brother
and Mr.. JOS F. Hoffman, of Edinburg'-
BY the way, we will state right here that
both Of the gentlemen informed the
authorities tn at they would not accept
one cent of the reward that had been
offered. 1t was soon learned that Groves
had made his way during the night to the
home of his aunt. some niles west OF
Edin burg, and that she came IN to that
place in the morning and informed his
brother, who with Mr.. Hoffman, at once
went out and persuaded him 20 return
to pris on. So far nothing has been heard
from Kesner. Groves claimed that they
separated directly after leaving the Jail,
and that he had no idea as to the course
he took, as there is no reward, 30 we are
informed, offered for his capture, it is
extremely doubtful about his ever return
ing for trial Groves claims that they re-
ceived no assistance in any way in effect
ing their escape, which is probably the
truth, as they did not need it. A man can
almost fall ont Of this Jail, and 1t would
not hold an expert craftsman five minutes
after he made up his mind to escape. Not
the slightest blame can attach to Mr.
Shull, the jailor. AS far as we know he
has always been as careful and watchful
as he could possibly be. He, in connec-
tion with competant committees, appoint
ed for the purpose, have repeatedly re-
p orted the jail as insecure, but the Board
of Supervisors seem TO think coat OF
white wash applied to the walls from time
to tina is all sufficient However, they
must have felt somewhat doubtful about
it here of late, as they recently ordered
coat Of paint to be applied to some Of the
inside work. Then let the criminal class
beware, as even the most hardened repro
bate will not get against the wall while
sign of fresh paint stares him IN the face.