Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-24
MADE THEIR ESCAPE.
TWO coLoRxD PRISONERS SCALE THE
FRONT WALL OF THE JAIL.
Not Pleased at Psing Made Cooks. They
rendered Their designations, to
Take Effect at Once.

The rumored escape OF two prisoners
from the city Jail on Monday night, to which
reference was made in yesterdays Dispatch,
proves to have been true.
II IL an interesting question, therefore,
why the wStcbman at the prison, who was
seen by reporter at II o'clock that night
aud asked as to the accuracy OF the report,
should have been in such profound igno-
rance, ss he professed, concerning what had
occurred three and bali hours before.
II was certainly the officers duty 10 see
that none OF the inmates OF the prison
walked out or were left where they could
make sure OF their freedom, and IL the de-
livery had been made, az II certainly had,
and the guards were apprised Of the fact, IL
appears exceedingly strange that they
should bave evaded giving the facts to the
newspapers when application was made In
respectful manner.
II IL q fact, however, that two OF the
coIored prisoners did escape, and the cir
cumstances in connection Herewith are here
given in full:
THE PRISONERS.
The inmates who by little careful climb
ing obtained freedom and liberty were
Scott King alias Tom Walker, and William
Jefferson alias Indian Bill, both young col.
ored men who have had considerable expe-
rience in prison life.
William Jefferson was committed to jail
by the Police Justice November II, 1888. for
six months In default Of 900 as security.
and bad but very short time to remain
there.
Scott King wss sentenced September H.
1885, TO twelve months In jail by the Police
t.. nhar no
victed in the Hastings Court OF felony and
sentenced to fifteen days aud fined s..
THEY WERE COOKS.
During their confinement both OF the ex-
prisoners very favorably impressed the Jail
authorities and had they remained quietly q
few days longer efforts would have been
made TO have their terms shortened.
Recently they had been employed as
cooks, but they were neither experienced
nor expert II the bread seen by a Dispatch
reporter when he visited the prison yester..
day at the diuner-hour was a fair sample OF
their cooking. The oven in the Jail needed
repairs and Sunday night these two
"cooks were employed until about A. M.
baking bread TO last the prisoners while the
cooking apparatus Is being oyerbauled.
WERE NOT LOCKED UP.
II is the custom OF Jailer Kerse TO lock the
prisoners in their cells before dark, but JET
feron and King were busy Monday evening
until few minutes after Z, and therefore
were in the enjoyment OF the liberties OF the
inner yard or couri. Only one OF the night
watchmen, Mr.. Burns, Jailer Kerse said yes
terday, was on duty, and he was in small
office near the entrance TO the prison when
the men went up to the pantry and took out
a rope, which they fastened TO the front wall
near the Jai-alley corner, and on which
they very easily climbed down to the pave
meut.
There is a verabda or portico along the
front OF the pantry, the railing OF which Il
perhaps not more than five feet from the top
OF the wall, and from here it was very
easy matter TO make their escape and with
out either making any noise or being seen.
IL the prison bad outside sentiDels jail
breakiugs might be less frequent than they
have been during the last ten months, in
which time there have been five different es-
cspes and eight prisoners have gained their
liberty and not been recaptured. The per-
sons who have thus got freedom are the tw o
IN the present case; Henry Morton alias
Riley lthe diamond thiel), and the Snowman
who stole a lot OF cigars and champagne
from the restaurant building In the Exposi-
ton Grounus. got drunk, and was found
living IN the field near the Exposition; Il.
c. Bryant, who was arrested here as fugl-
tive from justice from Danyille, and who,
while repairing a lock, took French leave {;
William Black well, the Kentucky convict,
and small boy, who crawed out in the day.
time.