The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-31
THE JAILER HAD NERVE.
And the Efforts OF Three Highway
men to Escape Resulted
in Failure.
Ono rs Full of Lead and tho
Other Two We're Soon
Recaptured.
Though siuRgsd with a slang- g-shot JaIIer
htoI Get His Winchester aud
Opsned Fire.

Special 10 The Indopendsnt.
BuLfsGs, Jan. 30.-Ihis morning about
l0.3J Bob Vesta, Ia Moore and Martin
Wilson. three men who held up 5torekeeper
Hugh Campbell and A. M. Quivey on the
reservation not long since, Concluded that
the right time had come 10 make their ea-
care. About the time stated Moo vas
sweeping the corridor. under the supervis-
ion Of Charles Stoll, the iailor. stoll for
an instant turned his bach, In the sct Of
unlocking enc Of the cells on she upper
floor Moore embraced the opportunity
and struck him square on she top OF the
head with a slunR- shot manufaoturei from
tho hook OF pipe wrench, sswed In an old
stocking. Under ordinary circumstances
the blow would have felled an or. bat fate
In the shape Of a button on the top Of his
cap no doubt saved his life. As 10 was the
blow staggered him and caused an uRly
scalp wound which blel profusely and Sc
riously interfersd with subsequent pro-
csedings.
Following Up the advantage thus gained
Moore disarmed the iailer but failed to
find the keys 20 the outside doors. which
ssoll, with wonderful presence Of mind,
had thrown over the bannistsrs into a coal
box on the lower floor. Moore stood Qua d
over the iailer while Wilson aud Vestsl
vent in search Of the keys. After finding
them they unlocked the outside door and
left ston apparently dead.
Stoll, who is a man Of triod ami IN
doubted nerve. made a rush for his private
room. passing Wilson. who was holding
Mrs. Ramsey to keep her from giving the
alarm. and procured q Winchester and
started 10 pursuit. The prisoners we're IN
the barn yard securing the sherif's horses.
with which 10 make good their escape.
Moore. being nearest 20 the gate when Stoll
put in an appearance. and having a six
shooter, fred at him three times In quick
succession, bat all Of the shots missed
ston
Blood from stolrs wound was running
down his forshead and into his eyes. 80
that his vision was more or less obsouTsd.
but he managed 70 Ret three effectual shots
In on Moore. Wilson, who Was thoaght "a
have climbed the fence. but who had re
NAMED In the barn until Stol vas out Of
sight. made rush and secured the Wspaon
from the disabled man. Nestal had ap-
parsntly made good his escape. Three or
four Intellectual shots we're frsd al the
fugitive Wilson. after which stoll. weak
sned by the loss OF blood. gave mp trying 10
stop Wilson. and went Inside to attend 20
bis own wounds.
BY this time Under Sheriff Will Ramsey
and Attorney Horford appeared on the
scene and sppropriating couple OF the
horses belonging 80 others attracted 20 the
scene. started after the fugitives. Wilson
was oVsrtaksn near the fair grounds and
brought back without much tioubls. Nes-
Sal, mounted on the sherih's best horse.
had a few minutes the start Of his puFsusrs
and headed straight fof the river. which.
being frozen over could be crossed with
perfect safety. in the direction OF the Gus
ter road.
After lively chase OF ten miles Vestal
began to feel the need of saddle TO such
extent that he abandoned the horse and
started for the brush. A light fall Of snow
on the gfound made esoaps impossible. and
he was accordingly headed OF in short or
der by Frank Mccormick, Constable Ter
rill, Commissioner Bond and Alex Gr aham,
upon whose approach be threw mp his
hands, knowing that Ramsey aud Heffori
were close on his track in the rear. Vsstal
was brought back and safely housed.
No blame Is attached 10 the iAiler. who is
most efficient officer and always on tie
alert bat the mere accident OF having his
only weapon catch in the scabbard was all
that gave the prisoners even a show 20 ac-
accom- plish what they did. None Of the
other prisoners tried 20 escape.
Among other things Moore has since said
that be does not blame stoll. for he. Moore.
shot TO kill. and got the worst OF 10. Moore
is said by pals 30 have been implicated in =
train robbery and killing in Texas. bat
made his escape 10 this section. Moore
was unconscious at last accounts and is not
expected 90 live until morning. All IL new
quiet aud Sailer stoll a little worse for
wear. but IL still able 60 attend 20 his du-
ties.