The record-union., 1891-09-07
TALKED TOO MUCH.
Plot Among San Quentin Prisoners TO
Effect an Escape.
Their Conversation Overheard, and
Seven of Them Put In Soli-
tary Confinement.
Special to the REcoRp-UNToN.

Special TO the RECoRD-UNIoN.
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. GA daring plot
TO break from the State Prison at San
Quentin has been frustrated by Warden
Hale. For some time past the Warden
has had his supicions aroused by SEN
tences let drop by several of the most
hardened criminals confined in the
prison. y close watch was kept on their
movements, and few days since the
Warden became convinced that a break
was soon to be made, and that they in
tended to stop at nothing short of muir
der to accomplish the desired end. He
consequently ordered seven Of the most
desperate among the convicts at the
Prison put in solitary confinement.
These are not all that are suspected OF
having a hand in the conspiracy, and
others are being watched. No one out
side Of the plotteTs themselves knows
how many were involved in the scheme
that had murder among its elements.
Nearly all of the seven have partici-
pated i'll jail-breaIIs before, some of them
several times. Among them are the
three who escaped last year and defended
themselves in fortress among the hills
until General McComb, then Warden.
made terms with them.
Charles Dorsey, alias Thorn, alias many
other names, the murderer of Banker
Cummings, who escaped in 1887 and was
recaptured at Chicago, and brought back
last October, is another of those con-
cerned in the plot.
They are long termers and several are
serving life sentences.
The seven actually known to be in the
plot are: Mickey Delaney, safe burg
lar; Charles Dorsey, murderer; William
Hanlon, stage robber; Harry Manning.
stage robber; Abraham TurcOtt, muir
derer; George Ross, burglar; James SulIi-
van, murderer.
The full details of the plot are as vet
not known even to the Warden, who has
been aware of the existence of some sort
OF a plot for several weeks.
search of the prisoners clothes and
cells revealed nothing suspicious except
skeleton key, which was found in Ross
pocket. Where he got ii no one can tell.
1t looks like a home made key, but it
will unlock almost any door.
Delaney, the safe burglar, is serving his
fourth term in State Prison. His last
commitment was from Placervilie. He
is serving sentence of twenty wears for
breaking open safe there Delaney is
credited with having originated the con
splracy. lie is reckless fellow, and has
always been considered one of the worst
men in the prison.
STILL CONFINED IN SOLITARY CELLS.
SAN QUENTIN, Sept. 6.-The seven con-
vict riugleaders of the frustrated con-
spiracy to escape are still in solitary
cells. They will not be released until a
confession is obtained. The officials of
the prison do not know the details of the
plot, but it is certain that there was a
conspiracy TO escape, and that the assas-
sination of the officers of the prison was
contemplated. The first information
came from convict whose time is nearly
up. Then a detective was dressed in
stripes and sent into the prison yard. He
overhead conversations that confirmed
the first Information. One day he heard
them say, "'Tis only a short time now;
The prison officials dared wait no longer.
and arrested the leaders. 1t is believed
that arms and friends were to be await
ing them outside the prison if they sue
ceeded in making their escape.