Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1893-08-15
HIS OLD TRICK.
COrWIn Alias RiCkerS
Nearly Breaks Jail.
He Saws Through Heavy
Bars of Iron.
Caught Coming Feet Foremost
Into Night and Freedom.
Mysterious Appearance and Disap-
pearance of the Saw Used by
the Jail-Breaker.

Prof. James Corwin, the balloonist, Sc
nearly broke out of Jail last night, that
he remained inside only by scratch.
When the delivery was almost COM
plete, and Corwin or more properly
James s. Rickers was .half way, feet
foremost out Of an opening he had
made in a window on the south side Of
the Jail, he was discovered by Deputy
Sheriff Widmer. 1t was hardly seven
o'clock and not quite dark. The Of
fcer's attention was attracted by a
heavily falling body, and looking up
saw that the grating which covers the
window was gone. Rickers began to
crawl out, but yell from the officer in
duced him to reverse himself and crawl
back. He was taken into the Jail en-
trance. stripped and searched, and lock-
ed up in a cell. His clothing was torn
by the ends of the bars about the outlet
he had made, and ne was dripping with
persiration. He did not seem TO be
dshearted by failure, bat jocularly and
profanely alluded to the time and exer-
tion he had wasted.
The window from which he tried TO
escape is sixteen feet from the ground
on the outside, though to man stand
ing on top of one OF the inner cells,
it is about breast high. 1t is
guarded by eight seven-eighth inch
perpendicular iron bars; 20 two of
these are attached by means of
~ Oh NIL
grating, leaving space OF ten
inches between the bars and grating.
Outside the grating is light wire screen.
| Two OF the heavy bars had been sawn
off at both ends about an inch from the
casing. One end OF the grating was
also released. The two staples connect
| ing the grating with the other end OF
the window, were next cut and the
grating fell leaving nothing between
Rickers and freedom, but a prowling
| deputy sheriff.
The ends OF the bars are quite
smooth as il cut by hair saw or an
| iron cav, though no instruments OF any
kind could be found in the Jail, in spite
OF the most diligent search. A hair
saw, however, Is so nearly invisible
| that it's effectual concealment is an easy
matter and even an iron saw in con-
veDient crevice would defy the closest
! scrutiny.
All the prisoners deny knowledge
OF Ricker's movements, though it seems
| impossible that he could have cut out
| the bars unobserved by the twenty in.
mates since he must while so engaged
have been within plain view OF the
front part OF the Jail where they con-
gregate when not locked up. 1t is also
remember that there was more noise
of singing and dancing in the Jail yes-
terday afternoon than usual.
1t was also known to the officials that
an associate OF Rickers' purchased an
iron saw of Goldman & Co. on Sunday
and they have vigllantly watched the
movements Of all persons who have
since visited him. There are only two
ways in which it appears he might
have been supplied. On Sunday after
noon a quantity OF reading matter, con-
sisting OF magazines and newspapers
was given to the prisoners. This is of
frequent occurrence and unless it is
known who sends the matter it is al
ways carefully examined. This pre-
caution was taken in this instance, but
the saw might have been hidden in the
hack Of a magazine. Yesterday morn
ing when Rickers was taken before
Judge Baker in the habeas corpus pro.
ceedings he was permitted to converse
contidentially with couple of his
friends, but was at all times closely
watched by Deputy Marshal Sladkard
or deputy sheriff.
Knowing the desperate character OF
the prisoner and his record as a Jail
breaker, the officials have exercised all
reasonable precaution and every night
since his arrest he has been locked in a
cell. Knowing that he would be locked
up as usual last night, is what induced
him to put the finishing touch on his
work before it was quite dark.
All the prisoners were locked up last
night and the Jail was guarded at all
points. In addition to the usual force
an officer staid inside the Jail and an
other outside watched the broken
window.
The incident is in no respect the re-
suit OF negligence upon the part OF the
sherif's office but only emphasized the
urgent need OF more secure and
modern Jail so arranged that the move
htuls VI pIlsOUerS may AZ all times De
under the eye of jsilor. As it is he
can know what is going on only ny al
lowing himself to be locked up with
them.
The habeas corpus proceedings in
Rickers case were continued yesterday
morning on account of the absence OF
government representative until this
morning at 10 O'Clock. The episode of
last night however has apparently de-
stroyed what little hope the prisoner
might have entertained of favorable
finding.
The papers from New Mexico which |
would likely have come yesterday but
for the washout will almost certainly |
arrive today so that by tomorrow night |
Rickers will be on his way to Santa Fe. |
There is little doubt that he is at the
head of dangerous gang. 1t is said |
there were nine members of the party
at Prescott but that the crowd separated
there, four of the members going to
Los Angeles.
II is said that the new city directory
of Baltimore indicates an increase of
81 600 in the papulatinp 90 A. Ia. |