Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-04
JOE NICELY'S STORY.
How He Originated the Plan to Leave
Somerset Jail.
CUTTING THE WAY OUT OF PRISON.
His Painful Journey to Barkley's Barn,
Where He Was Caught.
AFRAID OF THE SEARCHING PARTIES
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH,


SOMERSET, Dec. 3.-Through the cour-
tesy of Deputy Sheriff Milton Mcmillan
The DISPATCH correspondent was granted
an interview with, Joe Nicely tonight. He
said in relation to their famous escape:
when we were brought here from the In
diana county Jail we scrutinized closely the
new jail in which we were placed. We did not
then anticipate making any attempt to escape
from it, but were hopeful of a favorable report
from the Board of Pardons. When disap-
pointed in this. we turned our attention to-
ward n means of escape. We closely watched
the movements of those in whose charge we
were, particularly the daily routine of the
deputy who served us with our meals.
We had concluded that when the Pardon
Board had refused to interfere the only way to
save our lives was to break Jail, and if pos
sible make good orr escape, and with this in
view there was nothing too small to escape our
attention. Our plan was well conceived, but
as yon all know, poorly executed Humbeson
and keyser were in the secret and aided us in
every minute detail:in fact, they were both as
anxious to gain their liberty as we were.
Joe Conceived the Daring Plan.
first conceived the idea of gaining access to
the attic of the building and boring a hole
through the wall at the point where it was
made, and with the ard OF II Humbeson and Keyser
itwas carried out. II was the two men mention
who sawed of the staple of the trap door lock
several days before we ade our escape.
The device on our cells moved in and out of
their sockets. and in saving we raised them
above, and to conceal them. lowered them
below the body of the lock. All told, it took
about an hour and half to saw through the
locks of our cells. The locks were of soft
steel, and the saws we used were made for the
purpose. and given by kindly fellow
prisoner in the Indiana county Jail. and we had
brought them with us. We had not been sup
piled with pistols or any other deadly weapon
since our return, and we were unarmed when
we broke jail.
How the Convicts Left the Prison.
1t was 6:45 P. M. when We made our escape.
1 was the first to go out through the hole. 1
slid down the rope about eight to ten feet.
when the rope broke, and 1 fell to the ground,
alighting with most of my weight on the right
foot, and diSlocating my ankle. 1t at once be-
came very painful. but by a sudden jerk 1 pull
ed the ankle joint into place. This relieved me
slightly and allowed me to walk but with great
pain. was followed through the hole by my
brother Dave. who slid down the rope to where
it was broken, and from there fell to the
ground, and, as am informed since my return,
shattered his right leg above the ankle, his
injuries being somewhat similar to mine, only
worse.
Dave was followed by Humbeson. and then
came Keyser. both of whom escaped unhurt.
Alex Queen then came and in his fall broke
his good leg in two places above the knee, and
was so BADLY injured internally the doctors say
he will die. l remained with Dave about five
minutes and then assisted him to the rear of
the Jail stable, when, at his own request, left
him to take care of himself. l do not know
the course taken by Humbeson and keyser.
AS was preconcerted. Keyser was to accom-
pany me, and Humbeson was to go with Dave,
but the injuries sustained by both of us pre-
vented our carrying out that portion of the
program.
Joe Hides in Barlley's Barn.
I walked through the fields to the stream
north of town, where was compelled, through
fatigue and pain. to lie down for over an hour.
heard a number of persons on horseback and
in buggies pass along the pike and could even
hear them talk. When all was quiet limped
to Barkley's barn, arriving there about IL
o'clock. where 1 hid under large quantity of
straw until Tuesday at noon, when voluntar-
lily gave myself up to Mr.. Barkey.
He and his wife treated me kindly by giving
me good meal and cheerfully supplying me
with all the comforts l asked for. 1 feared vio-
lence at the hands of the people, and at my re-
quest Mr.. Barkley covered me with heavy
overcoat drew a large slouch hat down over my
face and delivered me within the walls of the
Jail before making it known to the large crowds
of people that 1 was the man they all were
looking for.
At $50 P. NJ. Sheriff Mcmillan and posse
arrived with Keyser and placed him in his
old cell. The Sheriff reprimanded him for
assisting others to escape and intimated that
hereafter he would suffer the close confne-
ment that his conduct merited.