The record-union., 1893-06-28
Three Of the Prisoners Killed
and Four Wounded.
George SOntag, the Train Robber,
the Ringleader.
Warden AuIl and the Guards Made a Brave
Fight and Forced the Survivors TO Sur
render-ArnS in Waiting
Special to the REcoRD-UN1oN.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
FOLSOM, June 27.-At $3.50 p. NJ. to-day
break was made at the Folsom Prison,
resulting in the death of three convicts
and the wounding of four others, after a
stubborn fight lasting forty-five minutes.
The trouble occurred at the quarry on the
line Of the canal, above the power-house
and below the headgates. Lieutenant of
the Guards, Frank Briare, has charge of
the quarry gang, some thirty-fve con-
victs, comprising half-dozen of the
worst characters in the prison.
At $3.50 P. NJ. Briare was surprised to
see the notorious George Conant. alias
Sontag, come into the quarry. Briare
accosted him and demanded what he was
doing there. At that moment Briare was
seized from behind by Dalton. Williams
and Wilson. Abbott, Smith and another.
To the surprise of Briare, he found HIM
self confronted with two Winchester
rifles, two pistols and a huge dirk knife.
BRIARE WAS PowERLEss
In their hands, and they forced him up
the hill with some difficulty. Guards
Prigmore, Ayers and Fitch, who were
Immediately over the quarry, were for
moment deferred from firing for fear of
hitting Briare. AS the convicts reached
the top of the cliff Briare, who had been
waiting for an opening, by violent effort
freed himself from all but one, and
jumped down the steep cliff, taking
Smith with him. A rifle which was held
to his head exploded at the same instant
without effect.
Frank Wilson was also knocked off the
cliff back into the quarry, leaving the
five desperadoes-Sontag Williams, Will
son, Abbott and Dalton-on top of the
cliff.
This was the opportunity the guards
had been waiting for. Prigmore, Fitch
and Ayers opened fire on them, which
was supplemented by Guards Taylor
and Payne from across the river. The
convicts lodged behind the heavy rocks,
and at once returned the fire, centering
upon Guards Fitch and Prigmore. both
OF whom were in the open, without cover
Captain Murphy, who was in the
vicinity of the power-house, climbed the
hill, and taking Guard Considine's gun
joined in the fight.
WARDEN AULL TO THE FRONT.
Warden Aull was in his office, and at
the first alarm secured his own Winchester
and fifty cartridges, and was driven in
carriage by Deputy Warden Hughes to
the scene of the conflict, which had as
sumed the proportions of battle.
When the Warden reached the upper
side of the battle-ground he sent for ex-
ira guards, in the meantime joining in the
fight with Guard Fitch. The bandits
were finally located in a hole behind a
pile of powders, and as the force of guards
increased, steady fire was kept directed
at this particular spot, which was occa-
sionally answered by the convicts After
placing the guards the Warden directed
all hands to fire together, and for the
space of minute perfect storm of lead
was rained on this particular spot
THE CoNvICTs SURRENDER.
A hat was seen to go up on a rifle
barrel in token of surrender, and the
firing ceased. Sontag crawled out in the
open, more dead than alive, followed by
Abbott, neither of whom could walk.
Then Warden Captain Murphy and sew
eral guards advanced toward them at
once, when ghastly spectacle met their
view.
Williams Wilson and Dalton were dead
in the hole, lying on top of each other.
their bodies completely riddled with bull
lets. Sontag was hit three times-in the
thigh, the shin-bone and the lower part
of the body, each shot breaking bones.
Abbott had broken leg. and was hit in
two other places. Convicts Duffy and
Schell, who had nothing to do with the
break, were also wounded, Schell fatally.
None of the guards were injured.
THE CoNvIcTs' WEAPONS.
Two Winchester rifles, two pistols and
large dirkknife were found in the hole
where the bandits had taken refuge. All
the officers and guards engaged in the
fight showed q wonderful amount of
nerve. They were all exposed. and not
one shirked or failed to stand up like old
soldiers. Warden Aull expresses a
pardonable pride in the discipline and
courage of his men, as well as in the
splendid craftsmanship displayed. Dali
ton was struck twenty-four times. Will
Jams was hit through the heart by a
shot from Guard Prigmore.
This break was not unexpected. For
more than three months Warden AulI
and Captain Murphy have feared this,
and have been quietly preparing for it.
About three months ago the Warden re-
ceived reliable information that Evans
and John Sontag and their friends were
about TO make an attempt to
CARRY THE PRISON BY STORM,
And release George Sontag. Without
making any fuss about it, or even notify
ing the officers, with the exception of
Captain Murphy and Deputy Warden
Hughes, the Warden prepared to receive
company. Joseph Prigmore, man in
whom the Warden has great confidence,
was summoned from Humboldt County
and was given the post over the quarry,
and his gallant fight of to-day justities
the confidence reposed in him. Several
picked men from various parts OF
the State were sent for and placed in
prominent positions. New guns and
pistols were distributed, and in fact
everything was put in order for q dssper-