Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-09-21
THE DEVILISH PLOT
To Break JAN Hatched by Z. Ward Cious-
ton and Other Prisoners in the Wood
County Jail-How the Pepper Was Pro-
cured.


County Jail-How the Pepper Was Pro-
cured.
Special TELEGRAM 70 tbs heoifts-
PARKERsBURG, w. VA, September 20
Great excitement prevailed IN this city TO-
DAY over the attempt at jail delivery last
night printed exclusively in this morn
ing's REGISTER. 1t appears that the affair
had been presrranged and premeditated.
The prisoners learned through their friends
that the sheriff had gone 10 Washington
and that the iailor had gone 10 the lower
end of the county, leaving no one but Ben
jamiu Hull. the turnkey, and several wo-
men, in charge OF the Jail with all It's
prisoners.
There were nine or ten prisoners IN the
lower hall, among whom were b. ward
Clouston, charged with forgery and thefts,
John Mortimer, James, who attempted to
half dozen others.
About ten o'clock Hall went 10 that cor
ridor TO lock up and found the prisoners in
the hallway standing close 10 the hall
doorway. When Hall came up, Clouston
told him he had valise and let
ter he wanted him 10 deliver
to his (Clouston's) father. The
letter was handed Hall, after he unlocked
the hall door, standing outside with the
door partially open. While STOPPING TO
pick up the valise, handful of cayenne
pepper was thrown into his face, creating
excrutiating pain. Hall slammed the door
and closed it before the prisoners could get
out and Just as they sprang at him.
Halls sufferings during the entire night
were terri BILE. 1t required eight men 10
hold him and four injections OF morphine
had scarcely any effect and IL was not I'LL
two a. n. that he became somewhat quiet.
The eXcitument this morning all over
the city was intense. Judge Jackson de-
cided TO make an examination 10 hnd II
possible the person who committed the
crime. He had summoned Captain Menen,
Prosecutor Peck, the McNernys, }. Nj.
Clouston and two prisoners. Mr.. Peck
testified that Clouston was under the In
fiuence of liquor when he conversed with
him. The prisoner James, above mentioned
confessed and said that CloustOn gave him
(James) the pepper which he got from
John Mortimer. another prisoner, and that
Clouston told him to throw IL into Hairs
face and he and the others would back him
up.
Miss Pitts, United States prisoner
identified James as the party who gave
Hall the valise with one hand and threw
the pepper into his eyes with the other.
She heard Clouston ask Hall TO take the
valise and letter. Clouston handed the let
ter and James threw the pepper, and the
prisoners sprang for the door.
Judge Jackson characterized the plot as
diabolical, ana said he proposed To go TO
the bottom of the affair He had learned
that Clouston's meals had been fur
nshed from restaurant; that
he had been supplied with whisky,
carried in a coffee-pot, and that people
came and went at pleasure. He ordered
that no prisoner shall be fed from the out
side. ana that nobody except their attorneys
and family should visit them.
Onthe way back TO jail, Clouston cursed
James and threatened violence 10 him and
James appealed TO Judge Jackson for pro-
lection. He was placed in another part OF
the Jail.