Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-30
DOGS ON THE TRAIL.
The Two Convicts Who Escaped
From Trenton Prison Are Badly
WANTED EITHER DEAD OR ALIVE.
Six Bloodhounds and Determined Posse
Are in Pursuit.
BOTH VERY DESPERATE CRIMINALS

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE pIsPATcH.I
TRENTON, May 29.-Thomas Thomas and
Henry Jackson, the colored convicts who
are still at large, and although six blood
hounds have been added to assist in the
hunt for them, the prison authorities think
the prospect of their recapture very poor.
Word reached the prison during the night
that two colored men acting suspiciously y
were in the woods between Bordento wn and
Crosswicks, and it was determined at once
to use the dogs in an effort to bring the
fugitives back.
Before daylight eight deputy keepers
started out with the hounds. Their in
structions were to remain out if justified by
the possibility Of success all summer, and if
they met the desperadoes at all to bring
them back dead or alive. There will un-
doubtedly be desperate struggle between
the prison keepers and the bloodhounds on
one side and the fugitive convicts on the
other side. should they encounter each other
in field fair for fight.
A TOUGH CITIZEN.
s @"Thomas carries enough brass and wick
edness for a dozen ordinary highwaymen,
said James Turnbull. veteran turnkey,
to-day. "There is murder In his heart all
the time. He will fight like an enraged
beast for liberty unless our men have the
luck to corner him and jackson 30 COM
pletely that resistance will be useless. They
will have the biggest sized struggle on their
hands that has ever fallen to their lot. The
convicts have a revolver. There are seven
bullets in it, and Thomas will empty every
chamber unless he is in fix so that he will
be unable TO use the weapon. He's not
tall man, but is powerfully built and as
cunning and wicked as he Is strong"
There was plot to break out of prison
year ago. A dozen convicts were concerned
in it, and I've always had a notion that
Thomas was the ringleader. Had any at
tempt been made to carry the plot out MUIR
der would have been done in the prison at
that time. Fortunately, we learned of the
plans and nine convicts were put in a
dungeon cell on bread and water. but
Thomas was not among them. We had no
proof and have none now that he was in the
plot, but never felt entirely certain on the
point before. 1 do ieel positive now.
ALL AFRAID OF HIM.
1.-THE convicts were put in dark cells.
They squealed, but believe they withheld
the name of Thomas for fear he would kill
them. Thomas behaved splendidly so far
as you could see by looking at him and
watching his actions. Jackson's behavior
was always good, too, and they would have
fooled anybody into the belief that they
could be trusted"
about when do you think they will be
caught?"
II don't think they will ever be caught.
Men with their nerve are not recaptured
every day."
The Trenton police gave the prison people
a helping hand in the hunt last night and
to-day, but the only thing they have caught
SO far is the notion that il is no use to try
and capture the men.
'They are 500 miles away from Trenton
by this time" said Chief McChesney to-
night
Head Keeper Patterson has offered re-
ward OF 5000 for the return of the fugitives.
Captain Parker, the old turnkey who was
sandbagged by them, was removed to his
home to-day and is bedfast. His physician
says he is recovering from the effects of the
blow that he received, but nevertheless he
will allow no one except the members of his
family to converse with him.