The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-25
SAVING TO LIBERTY.
Three Convicts Yainly Attempt
to Escape From Jail.
CAUGHT IN THE NICK OF TIME.
Burglar Riley Discovered Within step
OF LIberty-Reyolvers to Be Used
TO Resist Removal.

James Riley. burglar in the conn "
jail, made a bold attempt 10 saw his way
10 liberty yesterday. bur he was discov-
cred AZ his work and now langllishcs IN a
darkened cell. Riley IS an old offender,
well known in and about Seattle, and Is
now under sentence of six years in the
penitenfiary for q robbery committed in a
clearinghouse few weeks ago.
The attempt to break jail was discov-
cred by Stenographer J. T. Noble, of the
sheriff7s Office, whose desk is directly over
the barred window through which Riley
tried to force an opening The steno-
grapheT heard saving sound, and, look
ing out, plainly saw Riley saving away at
the iron bars with new eight-inch saw.
One of the heavy bars was almost cut in
two, and a few more strokes would have
opened the way 10 liberty.
Jailer Farraher hurried down stairs to
the jail entrance, but Riley heard the hur-
rying footsteps, and, coneealing the saw,
was standing good distance from the
window when the south corridor door was
thrown open by several TRUSTEES. The
lailer demanded the saw, but Riley feicned
ignorance. and, encouraged by Highway
men Morris and Farrall, both under SEN
tence 10 the penitentiary. would not obey.
The Iailer locked the three thugs up in a
close, small cell, and later locked in cells
all the prisoners in the corridor.
At 5 o'clock, when the jaiIer went down,
there were loud complaints from the pris-
oners. blit he would not listen to them. He
said to them:
Every one down here knows where that
saw Is hidden, and | viii keep you all in
the cells until / get it. viii be down here
again III an hour, and If you have not the
saw by that time You win he fed om bread
and water tomorrow. instead of having the
Christmas dinner that IS now being pre-
pared"
This speech had its effect. for when at 4
O'Clock he went into the Jail again. Farrall
passed out the saw between the bars OF his
cell and with Q quayer in his voice said
Here's the saw, Pat. Don't let the
boys be locked up and go without their
dinner. m the only one at fault I'll
take ali the blame for j put Riley up TO
saving the bar You keep me locked up.
Tor IN the only one to blame
FarraheT would not be moved By this
touching speech, for, although he allowed
ali the rest OF the prisoners out in the cor
rlaor again, he kept Riley, Morris and
tarTail IN close confinement
These three men. with James Hamilton.
should have gone to the penitentiary Mon
day morning, but owing to the landslide
on the Northern Pacis4c track the sending
OF the men to WalIa WalIa will be deferred
until after Christmas.
Jailor FarraheF overheard the prisoners
talking later iii the evening. and he
learned that someone would make an at
tempt last night 10 pass two revolyers into
the jail through the barred windows. The
reyolvers are TO be given 10 Riley and his
pals, and when the deputies unlock the
cells 70 take the men 10 the penitentiarv
resistance will be offered. and, if necessary
20 effect an escape, there will be shooting.
Night Jailer Monroe kept close watch
/ on the Jail last night. but up to an early
hour no attempt was made 10 pass in the
weapons.