The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-02-28
TOOK FRENCH LEAVE.
Five Prisoners Break Ont of the
County Jail-Three Skip and
Two Come Back.

Friday the two Flickensteins were brought
down from the upper floor and placed in
the lower department. Turnkey Vending,
when he closed the Jail, neglected to lock them
in their cells During the early part Of the
night Courtney and FliCkenstein improved
their time by picking the lock of the large iron.
door leading into the north corridor A chair
was then placed at the west window, and by
climbing up the bars on the window, the men
were able to knock out the ventilator in the
ceiling, making hole large enough for them
to climb through into the attic. Once in the
attic the road to liberty was easy. The blank
cts in the Jail were collected and knotted to-
gether, forming rope. The window in the
attic was taken out, and the rope lowered to
the ground.
When all the preparations were completed
the men returned and awakened Conners and
Fosnaught, who were asleepin their cells, and,
telling them they were ready to leave asked
them to go along. The boys got up and dress.
ed and all five men went down the rope TO lib
erty.
Courtney and the two Flickenstcin's started
up Court street north and have not been seen
since. Conners and Fosnaught wandered
dTOuuu lOWu All nlBnl anu ItpOINtu lOl bItdh-
fast at the usual hour this morning.
Clarence Courtney was brought over to Jail
from Louisville November 3, 1894,
charged with highway robbery. He was
indicted jointly with Charles Ecre-
mcnt, and entered plea of guilty.
He had not been sentenced yet, but was kept
here in Jail as n witness in case against a
gang of fellows who had been committing
depredations in Columbiana county.
Henry and Wesley Flicknstein were arrested
for burglary committed at the house Of Oliver
Rumsby, near Wilmot. The were evidently
old hands at the business and hard men TO
handle. They were captured after hot chase
and four men star ted across the country with
them, two officers driving in buggy in front,
then the two prisoners, handcuffed in buggy
and two officers in another buggy in the rear.
At the first cross roads the men turned out of
the procession and only after chase of forty
miles were they captured At the time Oftheir
arrest the men refused to give their names
but were supposed TO be Albert and Jake Hat
field, from Saltwater or New Philadelphia.
Knowing the desperate character of the two
men it is strange that more precaution was not
taken to keep them securely.
George COnneTs and william FOsnaught
were brought over from Limaville for arson.
They were charged with burning barns in that
vicinity.
When seen in the Jail this morning the men
were feeling tired and sore over their last
nights tramp FOsnaught said to News re-
porter that they had no desire to get away, but
wanted to see the town and when the
other fellows told them the way was
clear and asked them to go along
they went, as they wanted to see the town.
They had no desire to get away, as they had
nothing to run away from, as they were not
guilty Of any Oflensc. They wandered around
the streets and lost their way, and for long
time were unable to find their way back, but
finally caught glimpse of the court house
clock and came to the Jail. They wanted a
breath Of fresh air, but the air was too cold to
be pleasant.
SHERIFF DOLL TALKS.
Sheriff Doll said, when seen by News re.
porter Saturday: 81 was awakened between l
and o'clock and told of the escape of the
prisoners. In company with my son and Mr.,
| Vending, the turnkey, we tracked the men
up Court street and around into Cleveland
avenue where we lost all trace of them, as
there were a good many tracks Of people who
had passed. have not been able TO hear any
thing definite of the men yet al,
| though several people have reported seeing
men who they thought were the parties going
north. ] don't think these fellows will 60
north. | think they will go more towards
| West Virginia, and will make for the nearest
railroad line. | have sent postal cards to all
the neighborng towns and cities in Ohio,
Pennsylvania and West Virginia, giving de,
scription of the men, and hope to be able to
hear from them. We wanted to use Courtney
as a witness in the cOas of Charles EcTement
which comes up next week. was considera'
| bly, surprised at COnnOrs and FOsnaught COM
| ing back, when they were once out. Bot they
say they are not guilty and are willing to stand
their trial. They say they did not want to get
away but only went out to see what it was like
outside"
There is no penalty provided by the statute
| for breaking Jail but there is quite severe
penalty attached for aiding prisoners to escape
| II is not likely that COnnor and Fosnaughi
will be held for aiding the others TO escape
The commissioners will probably take some
measures.to repair the Jail so that recurrence
of the event will not happen in the future.
| Sheriff DOH has offered reward of $50 fol
| the return of the missing men.
The description of the men is as follows:
Clarence CouTtney-Age 81; height feet, 81
inches; complexion, dark; eyes, grey; one tooth
out in upper row in front; had on new pants,
dark with fine stripe; stiff hat and dark coat
| Wesley Hatfeld-Age. "a; height, feet. q!
inches; color of hair, light eyes, grey; clo.hes
old mustache light; weight, las lbs.
Harry Hatfeld-Age, 80; height, feet, 81
inches; hair, light eyes, grey; clothes, shabby
weight, 15O lbs,
ESCAPED PRISONERS NOT LOCATED
Nothing has yet been heard from the three
prisoners who escaped from the Jail Saturday
morning.
Deputy Sheriff Stone and Charles Doll are
out trying to get some trace OF them. A lot o.
additional printed matter giving full descrip
tion of the men is being sent out to the sur
rounding towns. The sheriff has hopes Of get
ting the men In few days.
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