Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-11-18
THREE OF A KIND.
An Ingenious Plan by Which Wisconsin
Jailbirds Escape.


An Ingenious Plan by Which Wisconsin
Jailbirds Escape.
WAUPUN, Wis, Nov. u.-One of the
most sensational escapes in the history
of the Wisconsin state prison occurred
this afternoon, resulting in the present
liberty of three murderers under life SEN
tence, one of whom had not seen outside
of the prison walls in over twenty-five
years. The fact also that to mature
their well-executed plans for escape
covered period of time extending
through the service of two wardens, and
that during this long period their oper-
atoms were unobserved shows the care
and extreme watchfulness exercised by
the escaped men while engaged on the
work
The three men were employed in the
wash-house of the prison, which is 10
Gated about six feet east of the north
end of the main shop. They carried
on ell the daily operations of the ex-
tensive prison laundry.
In the west end of this building is To-
Gated the boiler, at the south end of
which is a bricked open well, about
twelve feet deep, at the foot of which is
located valve which regulates the
wash house water supply. The men
commenced operations on tie east wall
of this we'll about eight feet below the
floor level, extracting brick enough to
make square passageway large enough
to admit the BODY of a man. These
bricks were fastened to a board, form
ing door which was scarcely noticeable
when in place, it still having the APP
pearance Of the solid wall. Beginning
at this opening they tunneled to the
east at this; depth below the floor for
about four feet, then turned to the
north, running about six feet, then
west, directly under the boiler in the
wash-house and through the stone
foundation wall Of this building, q dis
lance in all of about eight feet. Then
they continued beneath the alley way
on the west to and through the founda-
ton walls of the main workshop, into
parallel with the foundation walls, made
for convenience in running water and
steam pipes about the building.
Using this ditch to the north founda-
ton wall of the shop, they then tun-
neled through this, and then under
ground and beneath a wagon roadway
in the prison grounds distance of be-
tween forty and fifty feet through the
heavy wall surrounding the prison
grounds, then to the surface of the
ground and freedom.
Liz IdCG GIldG Gn0y COulu lou WOTk OH
their tunnel but few moments con-
secutively; that all the dirt and stone
removed had to be disposed of so as to
excite no suspicion on the part Of the
guards, rendered the chances of success
for their project very slight, and clearly
gives these three men the palm in the
prison records Of escapes The men
were not missed until P NJ, when
the yard guards made their report, and
it is presumed they made their escape
between and o clock. From reports
brougbtin by citizens after the fact ofthe
escape was announced, it is Judged that
the men, on leaving the mouth of their
tunnel, made complete circuit of the
prison through outlying streets and
struck into the country west of the city.
AS a heavy rain and snow storm was
prevailing at the time, the occasion was
most favorable for their exit from the
tunnel without observation by the wall
guards, one Of whom was stationed not
more than fifty feet from the spot The
escaped men are as follows:
Robert n. West, sent up from Rock
County November 26, 1869, described as
56 years old, 5 feet inches high, dark
complexion, dark brown hair, gray eyes.
He already has a record of three previ-
GUS attem pts at escape, one of which was
by similar means.
John Stage, sent up from Jefferson
County September "a, 1884; 81 years old,
5 feet 81 inches high, light complexion.
dark hair, blue eyes.
Ferdinand Knaack, sent up April 80,
1890, from Waushara County; 43 years
old, 5 feet inches high, light mplex-
ion, brown hair, blue eyes, weight $50
pounds; face pitted from smallpox.
All were under life sentence for MUIR
der in the first degree. Three hundred
dollars is offered for their capture.
WAUPUN, Wis, Nov. 1.-TWO years in
digging tunnel under the prison walls
was repaid by twelve hours of liberty,
three life-term convicts who escaped
from the penitentiary last evening be-
ing recaptured this morning. The pris-
oners were r. n. West, sent up from
Rock County in 1869; John Stage, from
Jefferson County in 1884, and Ferdinand
Knaack, from Waushara County in 1890.
They were all serving life terms for