Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-25

OF Lyncn1nR-BreakInS InrOuSn Lno
wa1l-The Wounded Fugirves Cap
tured Again.
The efforts of the counsel for the Nicelys
to obtain commutation of sentence from
the Pardon Board were sadly handicapped
and probably frustrated by the attempts of
the prisoners to escape. Twice the con-
demned men broke out of Jail; once they
were discovered while at work on the in
side, and only a few days ago they were
found in possession of an assortment of very
fine files.
The first attempt to get away was made in
the summer of 1889, by breaking through
the wall of the jail, but was discovered be-
fore much headway was made. The men
were then kept confined in cells, having the
freedom of the corridor at meal times.
In September, 1889, Pittsburger named
Lehr was placed in Jail to await trial for
participation in cutting affray. He and
the Nicelys became good friends and
planned an escape. In this they were un-
doubtedly aided by friends on the outside,
who succeeded in furnishing them with re-
Tolyers and tools.
Shot the Turnkey and Escaped.
At noon on September 16 Milton r. Nc
MILAN, the turnkey, brought in the pris-
oners' dinners, and let them out of their
cells into the corridor that they might eat
with some degree of comfort. The prisoners
were no sooner out of their cells than Lehr
covered the turnkey with revolver, expect
ing to bluff him into giving up the KEYS.
i -
Nicely sprang at him and struggled with
him for the possession of the keys. Joseph
went to David's assistance, and in the
scuffle shot Mcmillan twice in the left side.
The friends of the Nicelys says this shoot
ing was not part of the programme, as the
prisoners expected that the mere exhibition
of the revolvers would be sufficient 10 over
awe Mcmillan.
The turnkey was left in the Jail severely
wounded; the prisoners took the keys, un-
locked the Jail doors, and the Nicelys broke
for strip of woodland about a mile away.
1t was but a few minutes until the town was
aroused, and hundreds of citizens turned
out to pursue the fugitiYes.
Captured in the Woods.
The Nicelys had been seen entering the
woods, which were at once surrounded,
while men went through to beat up the
human game. 1t was not long until David
was found perched up among the foliage of
a high tree. A couple OF rifles were pointed
at him, and it was suggested that he come
down. He came. Half an hour later
Joseph was discovered under a thick pile of
brush. He was dragged out and both pris-
oners were conducted back to the Jail from
which thev had escaped less than Two hours
before.
The news of the attack upon the turnkey
and the escape of the prisoners spread rap
idly, and the party having the Nicelys in
charge were met on their way back to the
Jail by an infurlated mob who wanted to
lvnch the prisoners then and there. The
Sheriff was on hand and called upon several
of the citizens to aid in protecting the Nice
lys, and after much difficulty succeeded in
getting them back into Jail.
Turnkey Mcmillan recovered, although
his life was despalred of for some days, and
now he is a member of the deathwatch
which has charge Of the Nieelys until the
day of the execution.
Broke Throug gh the jail Wall.
It was over a year before the Nicelys
made another attempt to escape. On the
evening of November %, 1890, the combina-
ton at the end OF the corridor which locks
the cells was left unfastened. The Nicelys
and another prisoner named Queen, arrested
for some trihing offense, walked around into
another corridor, climbed up through trap
door into a garret, and there broke through
the brick wall, 80 feet above the ground.
They had rope, and Joe descended first,
but fell several feet and broke his ankle.
David followed, and was also injured, while
Queen fell the whole distance and broke his
leg in two places. His groans attracted At
tentioD, and led to the discovery of the es-
cape.
Several posses were organized to scour the
country. The County Commissioners offered
a reward for the capture of the fugitives,
which was increased by a subscription
raised by the citizens. All night the search
continued and all the next day, but no
trace of the Nicelys could be found. The
citizens arrived at the conclusion that the
men had reached the mountains, with which
they were well acquainted, and where
men could not find them unless by
accident.
Captured by Farmers.
Farmer Fenner, who lives about q mile
away from the Jail, went to his barn to feed
his stock on the evening of the second day
after the escape, and heard noise in his
hayloft. He investigated, and there found
David Nicely, with eg and an arm
broken, and suffering ir .ensely from his in
juries. David was well armed, but too weak
and discouraged to attempt resistance. He
was taken back to Jail, and the news of his
capture encouraged the citizens to persist in
their search for joseph.
The next evening Farmer Barclay found
Joseph in his barn. The latter had trav-
eled a mile further than his brother, but the
pain of, his broken ankle had proven too
much for him. He had crawled into the
barn, and had been unable to move. When
he was found his feet were badly frozen.
Joseph was taken back to Jail, and from
hat time they have been yigilantly guarded.