The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-17
-FOUR OF Them Caught.
The Butte Police Get Four Of the
Prisoners Who Broke Jail
There.
Among Them Was Price, the Muir
derer a Burglar and
Highwayman.
Price Found In mn Attic Over Miners
Union Hall, Where He Had Been
Since Escaping.

Price Found In mn Attic Over Miners
Union Hall, Whore He Had Been
Since Escaping.
BUTTE, Jan. 1G.--[SpeciaI. The police
of Butte did splendid work to-day in the
capture of four of the prisoners who es-.
capped from the county jail twelve days ago
Stafford, tho safe-blower, md Sparks, the
hiRhwayman. were found in tunnel under
house on Colorado street. The tunnel
was reached by a trapdoor completely con-
cealod by the paper on the walls Of the
house. When discovered they made no re-
sistance. Smith, the colored man, was
found in cabin in pulch in the place,
diRgings, and also made no resistance. His
feet were badly frozen and he had evil
IDENTIFY had a hard time.
|. The climax was reached at 4:3O O'Clock
this afternoon in the capture of Chas. e.
Price, the murderer, He was found in the
attic over Miners Union hall on Main
street. How the officers got on to the fact
that Price was concealed there ie
not given out, and it will prob
ably never be known who gave
the hiding place away. Marshal Daum
says he received the information second
hand, that Price was there concealed. Not
desiring to take alone the responsibility 81
invading the hall he went to the sheriff a
office and got Under Sheriff Gallagher.
Then with Chief of Police Leyden and
Officer Donovan they started for the hall.
The way to the attic is by turning to the
right on ascending the stairs Of Miners
Union hall. There ID small antechamber,
which was locked. Straight ahead is door
which was also locked. This door opens
into closet, where is q pile of wood and a
sink and wash basin, with water connec-
tions. From this closet ladder ascends
to the attic. The ladder is nailed to the
side of the building. The officers climbed
up it about fifteen feet and found a small
cubbyhole where were stored number of
old articles belonging to the union. Walking
across this cubbyhole another ladder runs
up into the attic proper. The officers
climbed up with caution. Price could have
shot each man as his head emerged through
the trapat the top of the ladder, but he
did not do it. The oficersclimbed Through
and saw Price concealed behind big pile
Of chairs. Price had gun in his hands.
As the officers crept around the side Of the
pile of chairs Price retreated, leaping back
behind big pipe which ran up from the
stove in the hall. This part of the attic
was not foored and Price had to stand on
the joists and risk stepping through the
ceiling. He continued retreating, keeping
the pipe or big timbers used as supporters
between him and his pursuers. Price
looked like hunted wild beast. His eyes
glared like a madman's, and it seemed
strange that he did not make stronger re-
sistance.
Cup with your hands, or we will shoot, .
said Under Sheriff Gallagher.
"Shoot me, I'll never throw up nv
hand" returned Price.
The four officers with their guns still
leveled at him advanced toward Price. He
retreated a ster or two. then waited and the
officers took hold of him. He surrendered
his revolver and went with the officers down
the ladder and to the county jail Price
looked like dead man. He had evidently
not been we'll fed. His beard and NOUS
tache had grown, his hair was uncombed
and he was dirty. He trembled violently
and seemed to have lost all nerve and spir-
it. He said nothing except that he had
been in the attic nearly oil the time since
he escaped. roll of bunting and flags
served Price for bed in the attic and ho
had no covering except flags and tarpaul-
in. 1t must have been terribly cold there
some nights, since the fires of the hall were
not kept going all night. Around the cot
were number of TASKS and bottles, most
of them empty but some with liquor still in
them. There were several half burned
candles stuck on end in the flooring. In
and around the bed we're scattered num-
Der of newspapers, including q copy of this
paper. From the attic another
ladder leads mp to the roof of the building.
Around the chimney was rope Loading
down to the roof of u butcher shop. There
was trail of tracks on the roof of the
butcher shop.
Evidently PRICES accomplish entered the
yard at the southwest corner of Main and
Copper streets ana climbed upon the fence
at the south side of this yard. BY this fence
they could climb to the roof of tho butcher
shop. Crossing this roof, food and other
articles could be attached to the rope and
drawn up by Price. In all probability this
was done at night. No members OF the
Miners union except the janitor went up
into the attic except on such occasions us
miner union day when the hall was to be
decorated. Tho janitor never went up
there except on the death of member of
the union, when he was accustomed to go
to the attic, take the flag. climb out on the
roof and place the flag at half mast.
Price was member of the Miners
union, knew all about the hall, and it is
he hit on this loft as hiding
place. Ho could have entered over the
roof, or he could during the evening have
climbed up to the hall, turned to the right
and. if the doors were unlocked, as they
usually were, could haye reached the attic
without anyone seeing HIM.
MONTANA CIRCUIT.