The evening times., 1896-04-28
RICH JINKS IN THE JlIL
Jail Guard Arnell Invited Gambler
Down 10 Drink.
SCANDAL AT ALEXANDRIA
Prisoner Set Up Whisky-Arneh Be
came Muddied, and, Thinking Cand-
Ter Was Trying 10 MIKE His Es-
cape, He Yelled Murder and Drew
His Revolver.

The excitement in Alexandria over the
alleged attempt of Harry Gambler. the no
toriOus Jackson City gambler. to escape
last night from the jail. where he Is serv-
ing out a years sentence. has given place
to amusement since the facts have become
known.
1t turns out that there was no attempt
whatever made by the convict to get away,
q nd the furore was the result OF a joyful
jag. in which Marcus Arnell, the night jail
guard, was the most conspicuous figure.
Ever since his confinement Gambler has
been allowed the freedom of the jail build
Ing and yard, and ii is even limited that
oft on q Silly night he and the guard have
made little pilgrimages to the neighboring
saloons. where, in the course of events,
Gambler was frequently compelled 10 take
charge of the jailor.
Gamblers brother. who lives in the town.
keeps him liberally supplied with food and
drink. and his term of Imprisonment so far
has been in the nature of one great, big
holiday.
WAS THIRSTY AND LONESOME.
Last night. when Arnell went on duty,
Gambler had been locked in his cell. Tie
guard was lonesome and thirsty. although
he had already surrounded quantity Of
Alexandria whisky. He knew that Gambler
had a well-fiiled bottle in his room and he
went upstairs.
.Do you want to sit downstairs for a
while?'' lie asked, rather thickly.
Yes
Come on, and bring your bottle" said
Arnell.
IN al.I, afA md
producing the flask, marched downstairs
with the accommodating jailor. They sat
down just inside the door. and Arnel
proceeded TO fill up. He drank and drank
His voice became thicker, and his head
wobbled from side TO side.
He soon became totally obliyious to the
presence of his prisoner. who, finding 1t
impossible to get possession of the bottle.
was dreaming of the green fields around his
saloon at the Virginia end OF Long bridge.
Suddenly wobble, more violent than its
predecessors, reused Arnell some what and
looking up lie saw a confusion of Harry
Gamblers before him. He had forgotten hav-
ing invited his prisoner down. He did not
associate Candler with the whisky. The
idea that his prisoner was trying to escape
came over him with startling suddcnneSs.
and he climbed weakly to his feet exclaim-
ing:
THOUGHT HE WAS ESCAPING.
''Whasher doin' down here?''
"fou told me to come down. said
Gambler. He arose as he spoke. and ArneH
thought he was about TO he assaulted.
'Murderi'' he yelled, and pulling out his
revolver he stumbled to the door
Excitement ran riot and Gambler. seeing
his drunken jailor waving his gun wildly.
and crowd approaching the Jail, rushed
upstairs to his cell. He wa Stocked out,
however. so he sought refuge iii a fire
place in an empty room.
Arnell kept up his cries. and n number
of policemen and citizens swooped do wn on
the iail. They searched the building to see
who was breaking ian, found Gambler in
his hiding place, dragged him forth and
downstairs and handled him so roughly
That his swoon was not fictitious one.
DISCHARGED THE GUARD.
City Sergt. Smith arrived by this time,
and locked the prisoners in the cell Mrs.
Williams. sister of the sergeant, who
hves in the jail, took Arnelrs pistol from
him. and Capt. Smith seeing his condition
promptly discharged him.
Gamblers account of the affair credits
Arnell with possessing the whisky, but
the general impression is that tire prisoner
himself supplied the beverage. Arnell him.
self protests that Gambler was trying to
escape. hut ne hasn't a very clear recolIec-
ton OF events.
An effort is being made to raise the $500
iine, In default of which Gambler is serving
his sentence. and it is probable that he will
be released in n short time. In the mean-
time his treatment will not be any more rir-
orOus than usual.