The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-11-23
TWO FEARS IN TUNNELLING QUE
The Escape aud Recapture OF Three MUIR
derers From n Wisconsin Prison.


WAupuN. Wis. Nov. 22.--Robert N. West.
John Stagg. and Ferdinand Mack. the three
life convicts who tunnelled their way out OF
the penitentary ten days ago and were recap
tured twenty-four hours later. have just been
relea sed from the solitary cells where they were
placed after their return. All three men were
employed in the prison waslihouse. In the
west end Of this building is the boiler. at the
south end OF which is brick open we'll twelve
feet deep. The men began operations
on the east wall OF this well about eight
fcet below the floor surface They removed
enough brick to make a square passage
way large enough to permit the passage OF a
mans body. They then fastened the removed
brick to n board. making door which. when
closed. left the wall with every appearance Of
undisturbed solidity. Beginning here they
tunnclled east about four feet. turned to tho
north and went a distance OF six feet; and then
west directly under the Mushroom boiler and
through the wall OF the house. thence under
the alley to and through the main foundation
floor made for convenience in running water
and steam Pines a6Huf the buidtthhs IRE ditch thew
aisy roadway. distance OF forty or nifty feet
ann then under the wall surrounding the prison
buildings and to the surface ana the outside
The men could work only a few moments at
remove and dispose OF all the dirt and rock
encountered in the tunnelling OF over sixty feet
without taking it outside the walls or awaken
ing suspicion.
mel for nearly two years. and through the ad.
miniStration OF three wardens, A system OF
telegraph kept the digger informed OF the
movements OF the prison officials above; Oc;
abandoned their work for weeks at u. time.
But fenr OF the coming OF winter and its at
tending obstacles In tunnelling In the earth
sot them at their labor with renewed energy.
While the rest Of the prisoners were in the
yard at 8 o'clock. tho murderers dropped Into
their hole and began to burrow their way to
guards made theI report, at Is O'clock. It was
showing and raining when the murherers;
emerged from the TUNNEL. Although still clad
in their prison robes. they struck 1nt boldly
their tracks for IL time. but when morning
came the tracks OF heavy prison shoes were
plainly seen in tho slush ..,.
After leaving tho prison the fngitives went
east. and again started west: Tor the purpose
Of throwing their pursers on the scent. BE,
fore s O'Clock. alid when they hal covered
thirteen miles: GId man stage Weakened tas rs phy-
He could 60 no further. and tho question OF
leaving him to die by the roadside Pr OF helng
captured cnmc mn for consideration, Nest
took up StagE. with the az OF MACH H. Hha
West had SO. and for 2l. cents each secured
shelter for tho rest Of the night The trio
were awake ard up At dayE san % t6s rnsg
full Of men looking Tor them. anu WITHOUT re-
sistance they surrendered. A.
West had spent twenty-five years IN 'ne
that OF his comrades. with finger nails and II
worn-out Int cliet through hard clay ana stone
walls. WAS sold for twelve hours of freedom.