The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-05-22
LANDSBERGTAKESLEAVE
he QUITS THE JOseELYN CAMP
IN CITIZENS DRESS.

Inc GuarCS HE C6pJuTS I4Iu an dOul
After His Escape in the Woods Neal
WalthoErville-He Submits Without
Resistance, and Goes Back to Camr
to Serve Out the Full Term of His I'm
prisonment-His Rebate for Good
Behavior Forfeited.
James Landsberg made an unsuccessful
attempt to escape from Josselyn convict
camp yesterday. He got away from the
camp and was gone about an hour, when
he was run down in the woods four miles
from Walthourville.
The first news Of the convict's escape was
received by the MORNING News in the af-
ternoon from Conductor Hester at Fleming
saying that he had received a telegram to
search his train for Landsberg, who had
escaped from Josselyn. Later the news
was received by the Savannah, Florida
and Western officials, and the report
soon spread rapidly through the city.
1t caused considerable excitement and
criticisms were made upon the penitentisry
officials and system for allowing Lsndsberg
to escape. Many said they weren't sur
prised and had expected that the assign
ment of Landsberg to Josselyn was done
for the purpose Of giving him an opportun-
ity 60 get away.
THE CHASE OF THE FUGITIVE.
A Walthourville dispatch TO the MORNING
NEWS gives the following account of Lands
berg's escape and subsequent recapture:
AT 1890 o'clock to-day James Lands
berg, the man who was convicted in Savau-
nah a few weeks ago, and sent to Dale,
Dixon q Co.'s camps, escaped. de man
aged to obtain a citizens suit. and, going TO
the oil room, donned the same and walked
off as a civilian. He passed Walthourville
while the freight trains were standing there,
and escaped recognition by going around to
the rear of the depot. Landsberg was seen
by several, but none knew him. Then he
took up the railroad track for a mile where.
It was thought, he hoped to catch the
freight train at the woodrack. The train
did not stop, however, and he went Off in
the woods Co the northwest. He was closely
followed by Capt. Gary. the foreman of the
camps. Several citizens started in pursuit,
along with the guards, and William
K. Long, an employe of Col. K. P.
Miller, struck the trail and over
took the fugitive about four miles
northwest OF Walthouville. Lands
berg offered no resistance, and was brought
back in a wagon, which was gotten close
by. Mr.. Long claims the reward of 500,
which was offered by Capt Gary"
much pleased when they heard the report
of his escape, but the pleasure was not
long-lived.
JUDGE FALLIGANT INDIGNANT.
Judge Falligant was indignant when he
heard Of the escape, but he said he wasn't
surprised. as he feared when he heard Of
the assignment of LandsberR to Josselyn
that he would escape. 1T is infamous"
said Judge Falligsut land the affair ought
to be investigated TO the bottom"
Solicitor General Fraser, who worked so
bard to secure Landsberg's conviction, was
very outspoken in his opinions. The pris.
oner, he said, ought never have been sent TO
such camp, in view OF the circumstances
of the crime Of which Laudsberg had been
convicted. The solicitor said the whole af-
fair looked to him like a prearranRed plan to
let Landsberg escape richly deserved fate.
He said while the matter of recaDturing an
escaped convict is entirely a state affair, he
intended to make this his affair and would
have descriptions Of the convict sent out to
every part Of the United States in order
that his capture would be made sure IL he
remained in the country.
A MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNOR.
Solicitor General Fraser wrote the follow.
ing telegram to Gov. Northen, which was
not sent, as Landsberg had been run down:
SAVANNAH, GA, May 21, 1892.
Coz. William J. Northen, Atidntd, Ga:
l am just informed that James Landsberg,
recently sentenced for twelve years for assault
with intent to rape, has es caped from Josselyn
camp. In my opinion a thorough investigation
ought to be made in this matter and reward
offered for his capture.
w. w. FRASER, Solicitor General.
A CONVICT TWO WEEKS.
Landsberg began serving his sentence
May y, and his attempt to escape in less
than two weeks was a daring procedure.
1t is said he had the privilege OF seeing bis
drummer friends Whenever they stopped at
Walthourville, and it is believed the clothes
furnished him to escape came from some of
them. Now all these privileges will be re-
moved and Landsberg will be closely
watched and chained in such a way that be
won't have another opportunity TO get away
from his l2-years sentence--a sentence
which must be served in full. HIS at
tempted escape cuts off the rebate
which the law allows for good behavior
ana instead Of putting. In only nine years
and three months, as would have been the
case had he behaved himself, Landsberg
will have to work for the state his full
term. Solicitor General Fraser will write
Gov. Northern urging that Landsberg be
taken TO the mines in view of his desperate
character and the create r chance afforded
him to make his escape from Josselyn camp
as compared with the mines.
About the time Landsberg was cutting
through the country yesterday trying to
get away from the convict camp his lawyers
here were fling the brief Of evidence TO sup
port their motion in his behalf for a new
trial He came near saving them all trouble
In that line.
THE JossELYN CAMP.
Josselyn is the location of one of Dale.
Dixon q Co.'s large lumber mills II is on
the Savannah, Florida and Western rail-
way, thirty-eIght miles from Savannah.
and Is about 800 yards from Walthourville.
There are about 100 men employed at the
mills, One-half of whom are convicts
About twenty of the convicts are white
men, and most Of them are long term
prisoners. The white men and
the negroes are worked separ-
ately, thought they fare the same.
The official name Of the contract camp is
w. B. Lowe Camp No. 2 A captain and
nine guards are In charge of the men, as
sisted by pack Of bloodhounds 1t is said
to be not an uncommon thing for convict
TO escape from the camp, though it is sel-
dom that he gets very far away before he
Is caught again.
WATCH OF THE CONVICTS.
When q convict is received at the camp,
It is said, who is not regarded as bad man,
he is not compelled to work in shackles, but
is allowed to work unfettered under the eye
OF the guards. At night all the convIcts
are chained together in their quarters.
When convict once attempts to escape,
however, he is no longer allowed any
privileges, but is compelled to work in irons.
nnVr "a nf Nk1a Nfr-.g, 81 Tl,I-