The record-union., 1891-09-29
JAIL BREAK AT VISALIA.
THREE NOTORIOUS CRIMINALS
GAIN THEIR LIBERTY.
Grattan Dalton, One of the Convicted
Alila Train Robbers, Among
the Number.
Special to the REcoRD-Ux1oS.

Special TO the RECoRD-UNIoN.
NIsALIA, Sept. 28.-The town is in
fever Of excitement over the escape from
the Jail Of Grattan Dalton, of the con-
victed Alila train robbers; W. w. Beck,
a notorious desperate, who is awaiting
trial on charge Of horse-stealing, and
w b. Smith. man who is charged with
burglary for having broken open a car at
Tulare. The delivery was accomplished
some time last night, but the exact hour
is unknown.
1t was not until o'clock this morning.
when the taller made his first rounds,
that the escape of the prisoners was dis
covered. The escape was well planned
and carried out. By some mysterious
means the prisoners had become possess
sed OF keys to the jail and cells. An iron
window was first unlocked and opened
in the basement. The kitchen door was
then unlocked. y third key turned the
bolts in the cell door and the men passed
out TO freedom and locked the doors after
| them, leaving the Jail in the same condi-
ton as it was when the jailer left them
last night.
1t is supposed that the escape was
made with the assistance OF parties on the
outside. They We're probably friends of
Dalton, for the robber had been con-
victed and was to appear for sentence to-
day. He is q desperate fellow and has by
this time obtained arms, and his capture
Will be attended with great danger. for it
is not likely that he viii be taken alive.
Sheriff hay has organized a posse, and
n vigorous search will be made for the
/ iugitiveS.
1t is supposed that the break was made
about O'clock last night. George Me-
hinley, farmer living about five miles
out of town, drove in to church, and his
! horses and wagon We're stolen durinp tbe
/ service. The rig was probably taken by
the outlaws. No trace has yet been dis
/ covered as to the course taken by the
men, although deputy sheriifs are search
! ing in all directions.
/ William Dalton, brother of the escape.
| IS in the top corridor Of the jail and is
/ being closely guarded.
/ \ search OF the Jail tonight discovered
a knife-blade filed for saw. milestone
/ file and an iron bar sawed from the cor
ridor.
| BOUND FOR OKLAHOMA.
! VIsALIA, Sept. 2S.-George McKinley's
! team was found at Tulare CITY this even
/ ing at 6:45 O'Clock. This is the team in
/ which Dalton, Smith and Peck, the Jail
i breakers, are supposed to have left town.
/ They had time to take the south-bound
/ train, and are supposed to be making for
/ oklahoma.
Jailer Williams says he locked the men
/ in their cells at $50 p. VI. last night. He
saw them go in the cells, and turned the
! bolts. He then went in and turned the
locks. This morning the nuts on the
/ levers that turn the bolts to the cells
were found loose, allowing the bolts TO
| be pushed back. Then their outside as
! sistant had key TO unlock the cell doors.
allowing egress to the corridor. With
/ keys for the kitchen door and basement
/ window the escape was easy. The escape
was made about $50 last night. From
doubtedly on their way to Oklahoma
REWARD OFFERED.
| SAN Francisco, Sept. 2S.-This after
noon Wells, Fargo & Co. joined the
Southern Pacific Company in offering a
reward of 1900 for Dalton's arrest and
return to Sheriff Z. w. Kay at Visalia,
! Cal.