The herald., 1896-10-12
Safe Breakers Escape From the
Vancouver Jail
DESPERATE CHARACTERS
Whom the Officers Have Little Hope Of
Recapturing.
An Indian Territory Cattle King Mur-
dered in Cold Blood-The
Crimes of a Day.
Associated Press Special Wire


of safe breakers who have been oper-
ating here for the past month or two
escaped. The escape was made about
5 o'clock, during the few hours the pris-
oners are allowed recreation in the
yard, and it was not until half an hour
later, when Jailer North went to lock
up before supper, that the escape was
discovered. The escape was effected by
cutting out board in cell to a hole
in the yard. A confederate who had been
released a few days ago had evidently
furnished a saw to the prisoners. While
the cell lock and irons were being
wrenched, one of the men spoke to the
jailer about some medicine, and thus
kept his attention. The men had good
start, and being desperate characters,
and having some revolvers, which were
stolen recently and hidden away, they
will doubtless make hard resistance
if followed. A description of the men
has been sent all over the country, and
officers are securing the outskirts of the
city, but it is thought there is slight
chance of capturing them. The mems
names are: Abbot Smith; King, alias
Clark; McGarah and Kelly.
Smith has already escaped once, and
King also had nearly got away, but fell
inside the Jail fence instead of outside.
Smith and King had irons on, and Smith
was also locked in his cell, but the
irons were filed off and the lock of the
cell wrenched.
ACCIDENT OR MURDER.
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 11.-A dis
patch for Monterey says that Count Bal
lestrem, an artist, was killed last night
by a man named Abiger, who lived with
him. Abiger has been arrested. He
says the shooting was accidental. 1t is
said that both men are well know in
Berlin.
Charles Abiger, who killed Won Bales
trem, is of good German family. He
says he was preparing to go hunting
just at dusk and had a playful struggle
with his friend for the gun. The weapon
was discharged and load of bird shot
entered Won Ballestrem's chest, killing
him instantly. The dead mans full name
was Count Wolfgang Won Ballestrem
and he came of a prominent German
family. He served in the German army
and came to the Pacific coast about ten
years ago. He spent his money lavishly
and it was soon gone. For time he led
q precarious existence, working as house
painter and bootblack and finally en-
listing in the United States army, where
he served as a private. Lately he said
he had become reconciled with his
family and that he was receiving money
from Germany. He went to Monterey
few months ago and lived with his
friend Abiger.
The latters story of the shooting is
believed by the police, but there are 4
few discrepancies in it. He says the
shooting occurred at sundown, while
neighbors say they heard the shot about
s o'clock. Won Ballestrem's clothes were
not powder burned as they would have
been had the shot been fired at close
range.
A CATTLE KING KILLED.
ARDMORE. 1T. Oct. 11.-Wyatt Will
Jams, former cattle king. wen known
in Chicago, st. Louis and the west, was
murdered in cold blood on Main street
last night by Sud Watkins, a half
blood Indian, aged "a The murderer
was captured after a sensational chase
and lodged in Jail here. Great excite
ment prevails. A speedy trial is prom
ised, and lynching is not expected.
The shooting took place one block from
the Santa Fe. Some bitterness has ex-
listed between the men, and Watkins
says he shot in self-defense. This asser-
ton, however is denied by half dozen
witnesses who say Williams was shot
twice before he pulled his gun, and that
as he fell dying he fired one shot, which
went amiss. During the excitemen.
Watkins made his escape. He was pur-
sued by United States marshals, assist.
ed by Hon. w. D. Carter. who, with a
Winchester at the head of the prisoner,
forced his surrender. Williams was once
among the largest and wealthiest stock
men of Texas. He leaves a widow and
four children. Public sentiment is very
strong against watkins.
NOBODY CAUGHT YET
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia, Oct. Ii
The police have been assisting the Off
to discovered three fellows who have
been holding up motor conductors with
painful regularity, and getting all the
money they carried with them Many
robberies of this kind have occurred
within a few days, but the motor people
and the police officers have kept the
matter quiet until yesterday. The plan
pursued by the highwaymen is for two
of them to board a car together and take
positions on the rear platform. When
the car reaches the point where they
want to tap the conductor, one of them
reaches up and pulls the trolley from the
wire. This shuts off the current the
light go out and the car stops. When
the conductor goes to the rear platform
and is bending over the railing trying to
adjust the trolley, the highwaymen
seize him, grab his money from the side
pocket of his coat and jump from the
train.
MAFIA METHODS.
SOUTH MALESTER, I. T., Oct IL
1t is rumored that United States Com
missioner David w. Yancey of Table
quah, in the Cherokee country. has
been spotted" by the society of In
dian criminals known as the "Ca-too-
abs" which has for a long time been
the terror of all law-abiding and es-
pecially law-enforcing people in that
country.
To an Associated Press representative
COMMISSIONER Yancey today denied
any knowledge of the matter, and says
he feels certain that the society, whose
existence he doubts. has no men who
could justly charge him with improper
or excessive prosecution or punishment,
which apparently is the casse of COM
plant. 1t is believed to have been ave
of Ca -too-Abs'' members who assas-
sinated Thomas II. Madden OF Braggs
station about six months ago.
A KITTEN QUARREL
ATCHISON, Kan. Oct 1t-Mre.
John Meyers and her 13-year-o old son
are in Jail here, the latter charged with
Lester Dyke, the 12-year-old
son Of a neighbor and the former with
being accessory to the crime. The trou-
BILE arose over a kitten belonging to
Meyers, and the most reliable version
of the affair indicates the mother en-
couraged her son to commit the crime
The boys quarreled over the possession
of the kitten, and Mrs. Meyers it is said,
incensed by seeing her son get the worst
of the scuffie, told him to get knife and
stab his adversary. He obeyed what is
20 I.