The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1893-06-20

derfur nerve did not desert him. for,
despite the fact that his absence might
be discovered at any moment, when
pursuit would Of course, result, he did
not quicken his pace until he had ar
rived at the lodgings which had been
secured for him. Connors escaped in
1877 and was not recaptured until 1881.
William ]. Sharlrey is supposed to be
soldier In the Spanish army at the
present time. He escaped from the
Tombs November 10, 1878, while under
conviction for the brutal murder OF
Robert s. Dunn. While awaiting sem
tence of death stay of proceedings
was granted. Sharkey now occupies q
unique and decidedly unenviable posi-
ton, for he Is the only man In the
world who could be legally hanged In
the state Of New York, as his convic-
tion occurred years before the electro
cution law had ever been suggested.
Sharkey was assisted In his escape
by his sweetheart, Maggie Jourdan,
an extremely pretty girl whose devo-
ton he repaid wi tn blows and kicks
after she had, at imminent peril to her
self, snatched him from the very shadow
Of the gallows. Maggie seemed to be
fascinated by Sharkey. She was in the
habit Of visiting him every day. The
prison officials were charmed by her
pretty face and quiet manner, and they
sympathized with her in her affection.
She walked into the Tombs on the day
of Sharkey's escape without exciting
suspicion. She wore two complete
suits of women's apparel In her low
er's cell one Of these was quickly
taken off by her and put on him.
Sharkey then shaved off his mustache,
and drawing a green veil tightly about
his face walked out on to Center street
free man.
A few moments later Maggie Jour-
dan left the building. She had tick
ct. as also did Sharkey, but Mrs. Yves
Allen, sister-in-law of The Allen, had
none; and this caused an investigation
which revealed the fact that the choic-
est bird In the gloomy old cage had
flown. 1t was also developed that on
her visit the previous day Maggie had
taken An impression in wax of the lock
on the door of her lovers cell, and
when she came to liberate him she was
provided with a key which worked per-
fectly. Maggie was arrested for COM
plisity in the escape, but could not be
convicted.
Michael O'CoDnor was a worthy
brother of "Wily'' O'Connor, the notori-
Gus burglar. In fact he surpassed him
as an escaper If not as an operator.
Michael was an exceedingly enterpris-
ing and pushing individual, and when
he was but twenty six years of age had
December, 1887, he and a companion
robbed a jewelry store at Pittstield,
Mass They were captured at Great
and carried back to the
scene of the robbery, where they we're
locked up in Jail to await trial
O'Connor ripped up one of his
shoes and took out the steel shank,
which he speedily converted into
saw. With this primitive tool o'Con-
nor sawed off the bars of his cell and
let himself down into the jail yard.
Then this imperturbable scamp, elud-
ing the guards, returned and sawed off
the bars Of his pals" cell The pre-
cious pair took the window cords out
and let themselves down into the jail
yard, whence, they swung themselves
over the high surrounding wall and es-
saped They were afterward captured
in this city.
According 70 an officer of the Chicago
police force, George Anderson has been
regarded for years as the most expert
all breaker in the United States. An
ierson once escaped from the Sycamore
(IlL) jail That is building of lime
stone, with walls about two feet thick.
This fellow was there with thirteen
other prisoners He used to take the
ashpan of the stove, fill it full of live
GOALS and hold 1t against the jail wall.
He continued this until he had slaked
The wall through for distance of
about three feet square, which was
hidden from view. His fell
ow prisoners watched him working
lay by day, and one night when the
Job was finished, he knocked out the
Iime-slaked portion of the wall, and
The Jail was left tenantless few min
utes after. He was held there for
burglary. Anderson was recaptured
and taken to Geneva, Ill, where he
was wanted for burglary. He made
his escape ono night, digging clear
from the jail, through heavy oak
plankings. to the courtroom and leav-
ing by the roof.-N. Y. Advertiser.