The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-12-05
The Nfceiys Break Hall.

oMEksET, Pa, November 3O.-Joseph
and David Nicely. who were under SEN
teDce of death for the murder of Herman
Umberger. in this county, In February.
1889. broke jail at Z o'clock Saturday even
ing and escaped. with two other prisoners.
The escape was effected by saving locks
from the cell door and from a door leading
from the attic, where a hole was made
through the brick wall. The prisoEe Eers
reached the ground by means OF a rope ia
Ken from e hammock In their cell They
had been gone fifteen mintues before the
alarm was given. Searching parties were
organized at once, and are now securing
the country. On account OF the darkness
the criminals may reach the mounta ins and
escape.
The escape Is attributed to carelessness.
as the Jail is a new one. made OF steel. and
could not be broken IL properly locked. An
old man, named Queer, who was confined
IN the Jail on a charge of arson. attempted
to follow the Nicelys down the rope and
fell fifty feet to the ground. breaking his
leg In two places. His cries gave the
alarm.
The citizens asse mbled In the court house.
and, In few minutes, subscribed a large
sum to iefray the expenses OF the search
and rewards for the capture OF the fuRi-
tives. No definite clew has yet developed.
The Nicely Um berger case Is one of the
most famous OF recent years in Western
Pennsylvania. Herman Umberger was an
| aged. and wealthy farmer. who had no
confidence in banks, and was known to
have large sum of money hidden in his
! To
One night, nearly TWO years ago, two men
| called at the house when Umberger, his
aged wife. a domestic and little girl were
the only occupsnts. A demand was made
| for money, and, when It was refused, Um-
berger was shot, the women and child were
overpowered and $50. 900 In cash carried
| away.
| The Nicely brothers, sons of the wealth.
| lest farmer in Somerset county, were ar
rested for the crime. and convicted on EVIL
/ dence that was strong, although entirely
I circumstaptial The Supreme Court sus-
! tained the lower Court, and since then the
| fight for their lives has been before the
Board of Pardons. The last appeal was
! made at the last msetIng, and the Board
decided not 10 interfere.
Nearly year ago the Nicelys broke jail,
after almost killing their keeper. They
were recaptured aud sent to Indiara county
| for safe>keeping until a new fall could be
quilt In Somerset county. This was COM
pleted only a month apo, and they were
confined IN it but short time.
Two of the Nicelys' relatives were In the
town yesterday. and 1t is supposed they
had helped from outside. reward of
.I1g- Ioa AaA nHa
! SOMERSET, Pa. Dec. l.-Dayid Nicely
one OF the four prisoners who escaped from
| the county Jail on Saturday night, was re-
| captured this morning. and Is again locked
up. William Farmer. a young farmer, res
iding a mile from town, who was all OF yes
| terday and last night aiding In the search for
| the escaped prisoners, returned bome be-
| fore day light this morning ana found Dave
Nicely secreted under some hay in Ferner's
stable. with his leg and arm broken.
| Nicely surrendered without trouble. He
| was almost dead from exposure, being
| thinly clan and suffering great pain from
| his Injuries. While escaping he fell from
the rope, breaking lis leg and arm His
| companions were also more or less Injured
while escaping. but they are now safe from
| their pursuers.
/ SOMERSET, Pa. Dec. 2--Joseph Nicely.
one OF the escaped murders of Herman UB>
berger, gave himself up to a II year old boy
in a farmers farm, not oyer half mile from
| Somerset. to-day. He was nearly exhaust
| ed from hunger and cold and suffering from
q badly spra ined ankle. The owner OF the
farm. j. j. Barclay took him to his house.
batted his nearly frozen feet in cold water,
: dressed his hand which was baely cut and
torn. gave him a good dinner and took him
back to the Somerset county jail.