The morning call., 1892-01-05
REMARKABLE ESCAPE.
How Two Murderers and a Horse Thief
glnt of lai

How Two NJ urd erers and a Horse-Thief
Got Out of Jail.
When Jailer Elliott made his first round
yesterday morning at the County Jail, says
the Fort Worth Gazette Of December Goth,
he made a discovery that was anything but
pleasant TO that gentleman. The first dis
covery, after entering the huge door which
opens into the cage on the third floor in the
west end Of the building was lever hang
ing from an unaccustomed place and the
shining steel near the lever box, from which
place large brace or lock had been taken,
and long, fat iron bar sitting by the door,
with which vigorous prying had been done,
and it in consequence was bent in many
shapes. Further investigation on the north
side of the ruu-around revealed hole in
the iron grating about 10x12 inches; and
further on, and on the north side of the Jail,
hole in the grating Of an outside window
only 7X10 inches.
Three good-sized men had escaped during
the night through these holes, as incredible
as it may seem.
Jailer Elliott demanded of the prisoners
the names Of those who had escaped, and
all were anxious to enHghten him upon the
subject, and he learned that j. I. Morris,
awaiting execution on tie scatfOld; James
Began, awaiting transportation 10 the peni-
Tertiary for life, convicted Of murder, and
T. b. Staff JTd, awaiting trial on a horse
theft charge. were then making tracks the
heels Of which pointed Ia the direction Of
Fort Worth.
The Job had had the constant attention
Of tie three men who are now at liberty
for a week, and they had worked night and
day, when none Of tile guards were about
on displacng the brace near the lever box
Just inside the door. The finishing touch
was given this at about 10 O'clUck Monday
night, so the prisoners say.
Once out in the run-arOund one Of the
levers was yanked off, and this was used in
pTying apart the rods in the window after
short one between the cross bars had been
sawed out
The holes through which the men had
dragged themselves were exceedingly small,
and to look at them one would think it i'm
possible. The iron rods and bars were
blood-stained and drops Of blood we're to be
seen all along the run-aTOund, showing the
men had torn and bruised themselves in
their efforts for freedom.
Morris was the largest Of the three, and il
was necessary fer him to divest himself Of
ali clothing in order TO make his exit, and
even then he was thoroughly s0aped.
II was about thirty feet to the ground
from the window. and the men lowered
themselves by means OF blankets tied to-
gether.
1t is evident the men were '1aying out"
when the turnkey made his last round for
the light, and when the other prisoners
were ordered into their cells for the night
the three mentioned did not respond, and
kept sscreted on top Of their cages.
Tie turnkey out Of the way, the men
came down aud finished up their work.
The prisoners say one of the men stood at
the door, Sccreted behind large steel shut
ter with large lever ready to brain any
man who dared to come near, and that the
men vowed to kill the jaiIer or any Of the
guards who approached.
Whenall three had landed In the back
yard Morris donned his clothing and the
trio sealed the high fence and proceeded
across the Trinity.