The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-09-25
SOME FAMOUS ESCAPES.

SOME FAMOUS ESCAPES.
Prisoners who Have Dsned tho Envirouu
ment Of Stone Walls.
Many and marvellous are the escapes
that have been effected by noted crimi-
nails when in the hands of the law.
Not many have had the nerve to run
directly into its hand, like famous
French thief, of whose bravado New
York Press writer treats. The lieu
tenant of police had offered reward
of 100 pistolcs to any man who would
bring this thief before him. Shortly
a noble marquis in coach and six
drove up to the hotel of the police,
and the noble marquis desiring to see
the M. de la Reynie on matters of the
highest Importance alone the latter
introduced him into his private cabi-
net. When there the marquis drew
from his pocket long, curiously
shaped dagger. Look at this, M. de
la Reynie. +" said he. This dagger is
poisoned"
lis it possiblep" said M. de la Rey-
ME.
"a prick of it would do for any
man" said the marquis.
'.You don't say sop said M. de la
Reynie.
Il do, though; and what is more"
says the marquis in terrible voice,
'if you do not instantly lay yourself
fat on the ground with your face to-
ward it and your hauds crossed over
your back, or if you make the slight
est noise or cry out, I will stick this
poisoned dagger between your ribs az
sure as my name is Cartouche!'
At the sound of the dreadful name
OF the thief he had advertised for M. de
la Reyne sank incontinently down on
his stomach and submitted to be care.
fully gagged and corded, after which
Mr. Thief laid hands upon all the
money which was kept in the lieuten.
ants cabinet.
There is a good story of an escape
from prison that was effected by two
prisoners of war. Getting control of
pair of cutlasses they beguiled sem
tinel at guard relieving and presently
jumped from the wall. One dislocated
his ankle and begged his companion to
dispatch him and make his own escape.
The companion, however, hoisted him
on his back, and before the alarm was
sounded reached neighboring river
running full of ice. This he had to
swim with his disabled friend. Reach
ing the other side they fashioned a
rough crutch. They now heard the
alarm sounding, on which the well
escape cuts his finger, smears his face
with blood. binds up his head, has his
hands tied by the lame one, and in this
plight they approached farm house.
Here the lame one explains that he
has taken the escape, but is himself
lame and requires horses. These are
cheerfully furnished by the loyal hus-
bandman, and the pair ride gayly be-
You'd the enemies lines.
The examples of digging out of
prison are many and various. One
case is complicated with side tragedy.
This prisoner made friends with one of
the keepers, who furnished him plan
OF his cell. This was unlocked, and if
he could procure boat at a con-
venient point he would have a fair
show to escape. He got some irons out
of his furniture. With these he picked
the mortar from between the bricks
OF the casing that lined the cell He
ground this to powder on the floor,
made a brush from his hair and when
inspection was due would smear over
the spot he was working at to look
like whitewash.
On one occasion, to hasten its dry
ing, he had to strip and clap his back
to it. Next he came to a wall of stone,
but he picked all the mortar out in
time. TO get rid of it he would put it
on his window sill, and when a fresh
breeze had risen whisk it out with the
brush made of his hair. In all he got
rid of some 500 pounds of mortar and
waste stuff.
There was an old Jewish merchant
in the prison, whose daughter used to
visit him. Our prisoner got speech of
her as she went along the corridor,
and as result she struggled him some
writing paper. He gave her two
money orders. one for 5000 on his
sister, the other for $1,000 on his
agent. With the first she was to pro-
vide his boat and help; the second was
for her reward. The agent betrayed
the scheme. Then they logged the
old Jew to draw confession that he
too was in it. so that in few weeks
hn III
OF the adventures of the famous Baron
Trenck, who nine years later, did dig
his way out of another part of the
same prison and secure his escape.