The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-12-09
MURDHROUS JAIL PLOT.
Burglars Howard and Smith
We're to Kill Officer
Miller.
AND RUSH TO LIBERTY.
Chief Murphy Gets a Tip and Super
intendent Smith Lays a Trap
Which Works Well.

Upon information received by Chief
of Police Murphy yesterday at noon,
George, alias "Ash" Smith, and Harry
Howard, the two burglars arrested by
Detective Hottie Saturday. and who were
detained in the Fourth precinct station
house. were prevented from adding muir
der to their long list of crimes. The men
were placed in separate cells.
Chief Murphy learned yesterday at
noon that Tuesday morning. between one
and two O'Clock Smith had picked the
lock Of his cell door and gained access to
the main corridor. He made his way to
Howard's cell. which was about twenty
feet away. A whispered consultation fol-
lowed.
Smith implored Howard to aid him in
scheme to murder the policeman who
came into the corridor to see that all WAS
right and then maize good their escape,
by dashing through the station house
to CommuDipaw avenue and away. The
door leading from the station house
ward and every honr the policeman on
house duty is supposed to make tour of
the cells and see that everything Is O. X.
Smith had secured an iron sash weight
from closet and with this he intended
dealing the policeman who entered the
corridor blow on the head which would
kill him and then make a break for
liberty.
Howard seemed indisposed to enter in
to the scheme ana three times Smith was
heard to say FOR Gods sake Harry,
hurry, hurry upr' What Howard's re-
ply was. could not be heard, but Smith
was heard to say eve will get twenty
years, sure thingl"
"What if we do kill him. we want our
libertyp"
''Come on, won't you come; and
we will be miles away by tomorro "
night"
Howard evidently wanted Smith to do
the job alone as Smith said Il can't. he's
too big" meaning Policeman Miller. II
am not strong enough and don't want
to leave you."
HOWARD WON OVER.
Howard evidently promised to try the
game last night as Smith returned to his
cell silently, and when Miller entered q
few minutes later he was apparently
asleep.
Superintendent Smith was notified OF
the case and taking Detective Hottie with
him, they secreted themselves In cell az
the end of the corridor where Smith could
be seen If he left his cell
This morning at about quarter of two.
Superintendent Smith saw light caused
by the lighting Of match. The next
Smith crawled from his cell and
made his way stealtnily to the cell occu-
pied by his accomplice. He had his hsnd
on the lock Of H0warrf's cell, when Super
intendent Smith yelled and In an instant
Smith was back into his cell with the
door locked. and when the Superintend-
ent peered In ne was lying on his bunk,
ln0 ring n III in a corvnd etpon
"Get up," roared the Superintendent,
but Smith did not move.
mo more Of this business; stand up"
again ordered the eSuperintendent. Smith
raised himself to sitting posture, rubbed
his eyes slowly. and in the coolest nlan-
and then asked what time it was.
Superintendent Smith accused him OF
endeavorinR TO break jail.
You are mistaken, my man" replied
Smith. "You are dreaming. have been
asleep and have not been out of this cell,
nor have spoken to Howard"
LOOKING AT PISTOL.
''Now I'll just give you two minutes to
get out OF that CELL" said Superintendent
Smith, "and Ii you are not out 1n that
time, you won't walk out at all"
This frightened Smith, and In jiffy he
drew penKnife from his pocket, showed
his hand through the cell bars. picked
UHe IOCk duu StOou OckOIS LILO SupSKku~
tender Mt In the corridor.
The knife was taken from him and he
was placed in another cell and police
man detailed TO guard him. He was
charged with jail breaking. aud this
morning, with Howard, he was removed
to the County Jail for safekeeping.
Where Chief Murphy obtained the in
formation which led to the prevention Of
the carrying out of this murderous plot
he refuses to disclose. bur the obtaining
of 1t probably saved Patrolman Mliler's
life, as Smith would undoubtedly have
carried it into execution himself IL
Howard had refused to aid him.
WHERE DID HE GET THE KNIFE?
How Smith procured the knife with
which he picked the lock is not known,
but Chief Murphy is making rigid in
vestigation into the case. The plot Is one
of the most daring concocted by any pris-
oner ever held in custody by the police.
Both men are notorious char
acters, and it Is believed that they
would not hesitate to commit
murder with a view to gaining their
liberty. They are believed to have conn
mtted the robberies on the heights which
caused such widespread alarm among the
residents and mvst fed the police.
Policeman Miller, who weighs about
200 pounds, has been losing flesh rapidly
since he learned of the narrow escape he
had