The evening times., 1896-06-10

daring escape was made from the
workhouse about II O'Clock last night by
Frank Nicholson, white prisoner, who
was. serving a term for vagrancy and
destroying publc property.
Nicholson not only got away himse!f,
but came within an ace of delivering five
other inmates of the big cell in which
he was confined. The escape was skill
fully planned and carried out by the des-
perate young man.
He secured u sharp file in some manner
unknown TO the guards. and at odd times
when no officials were about filed away
on the iron bars.
HIS cell was on the second floor and at
place in the old prison where he could not
we'll be seen whiie at work.
The bars were sawed nearly through and
left in that condition Until the night guard
.rad made his = O'clock rounds last night.
In the meantime Nicholson tore his gray
blanket into strips. These were tied to-
sether, forming long and stout rope.
This was concealed until the time was ripe
10 make the attempt to get away.
This came at the hour named. The bars
were broken out, the rope made fast to one
OF the remaining bars and Nicholson quickly
descended, hand over hand to freedom.
once on the outside, aided by the darkness
of the cloudy night, he fled rapidly away
from the aged prison.
There were live other prisoners in the
cage with Nicholson, and it is believed they
kne W that he had filed the bars and intended
TO escape, but they did not give him away.
Just why they did not take advantage of the
,la,, lat ND hrnt- hp ~
make their escape with him is not known.
The workhouse authorities are reticent
about the matter, but one of them said To
an Evening Times representative today he
believed the other culprits were afraid to
make the attempt.
The prisoners say they were asleep or
they surely wouli have taken wings when
Nicholson got away. The latter was under
medical treatment for alcoholism, and,
therefore, was allowed to remain in the
house during the day, while his fellows
were ont at work with the chain gangs. 1t
is believed the filing was done during their
absence.
Nicholsou's escape was not discovered
until dayhreak this morning, when n gen
eral alarm was sent out to all the police
stations to look out fer him.
ALL-NIGHT SENTRIES.
The escape of Nicholson was reported by
Intendant Stoutenburgh to the Commis-
sioners today, and IL may result III the es-
tablishnient of all-night seDtries on the out
side of the male workhouse prison.
This is reform which is greatly needed,
owing to the several escapes which have
been made from the insecure old structure.
Frank Nicholson had not been recap
tured up to a late hour this afternoon
He was sent to the workbouse last Friday
by Judge Kimball. After being arrested
and taken to No. 8 police station, lie
wrenched a door off of the Cell iavatOry
and succeeded in badly wrecking the in
terror of the place For doing this an
additional charge of destroying public prop
erty was placed against him.
The latter case was not pushed, however.
and he was sent down for three months,
with orders from the judge that he should be
treated for habitual drunkenness. He was
not required to 20 out and work with the
chain gang and had an opportunity OF work
ing on the bars
Nicholson when drunk is a desperate man.
and has served many terms imprisonment
for assaulting policemen and citizens.