Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-12-30
GREAT ExoIrEnENr
over the Escape of Evans from the Jaii at
Fresno.

/ Over the Escape of Evans from the JAN nj
Fresno.
FRESNO, GALA, December 29.-Fres-
no is up in arms and the whole country
is excited. The jail delivery here last
night by which at least temporary free
dom was secured by Chris Evans, the
ViSalia bandit who led the Evans and
Sontag gang in the Coils train robbery
and througha series o. desperate battles
that ina y resulted in the capture OF
Evans aud the TWO Sontag brothers.
created such excitement in Fresno that
few men slept last night. Evans was to
have been taken TO the State
penitentiary TO begin 70 serve a life
term for the murder OF Vic Wilson, a
Deputy United States Marshal from
Arizona. who was one OF the three mel
killed by the bandits. Instead OF wear
ing stripes Evans is again free to shoot
aud kill. Evans and the young man
who assisted In eifecting the delivery,
disappeared 10 the direction OF the
mountains and big woods, and Il is now
supposed that the bloody encounters OF
the past few months will be fonght
over again.
Ed. Morrell, the young man who
made the escape possible and who fed
with the bandit, is an -penitentiary
convict and believed TO be hard char
acter. Probably 500 men are now
securing the San Joaquin valley in pur-
suit of tie fugitives. Sheriff's posses
and volunteer forces are going is every
direction. II now appears that the eS-
cape was very carefully planned, and
evidently young Morrell and Mrs.
Evans had many accomplices. The
cOnspirators planned to get nearly
all the sherif's men out OF the city.
Sheriff Scott was in los Angeles.
All the deputy sherifTs were then de-
coyed away. Early yesterday morning
a young man appeared at the town OF
Rons0n, about thirty miles south OF
here, on the Portervllle branch, and
gave notice at the station OF train
robbery which be said was effected that
night. He said be was one OF the gang,
but had concluded not 10 commit the
crime, but surrender his confederates 10
the officers Four deputy sherlfIs went
out on this decoy. They found
the youth waiting for them az a
point agreed upon, but he was alone.
Though he protested he had told the
truth, the sheriff's men took him into
custody. They now believe he will be
connected with the jail delivery con-
spiracy. About ths time OF the jail de-
livery there were number OF runaways
down town to attract the attention OF
the people away from the Jail. The
prisoner gives his name as Edwin
+. Deck and is young
boy. With these men out OF
the way young Ben Scott, the iailor,
who is the sheriff's brother, was the
only one left at the Jail. Mrs. Evans
entered first, and was admitted to her
husbands cell in the main corridor.
She was not seaached. Then young
Morrill, was allowed TO enter with
Evans supper. He, too, was admitted
without question. When jallor an-
swered Morril's call 10 be let out, he
was confronted with pistols in the hands
of both men. They compelled him TO
unlock the bars and let them into
the street. Jailor Scott. however, was
compelled TO go with them. Evans
wife tainted as the pistols were drawn
and was locked In jail as the trio went
out. She Is now detained In jail,
though 10 serious condition, having
had many faintins fits during the night.
It was Just getting dark when the men
passed into the streets, the electric
lights were not burning yet. Spirited
horses aud a wagon were waiting for
the fugitives on the street, but
in the shooting ARRAY which
ensued when City Marshal Nor
gan was shot and when Jailor
Scott made his escape, the horses be-
came frightened, broke their hitchlng
straps and dashed away. The bandits
were then compelled 20 take a news
boys horse and cart. Marshal Morgan
was shot in the shoulder, but was not
seriously injured. EaFiy this morning
the police arrested two girls and boy,
brother and sisters, named Hutchinson,
ranging In aRe from l3 10 23 years, az
whose house Morrill, had boarded. All
are suspected Of being implicated In
the jail delivery, and the younger girl
has made damaging statements 10 the
police. though so far her statement has
been withheld from the public.
FRESNO, GALA, December 29.-lt IS
now believed that Evans aud Morel
succeeded in eluding their pursuers and
are now safe ln the mountains. Morel,
who caused Evans release, Is detec-
tive, and has been in Evans service for
several months. He was prisoner in
jail for three months beginning Sep
tember 22d, and IL is now thought that
be managed to get In jail for the pur-
pose Of releasing Evans.