The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-15

usual. no extra precautions apparently be-
ing taken. But on the day in question the
tools were quietly removed 10 an inner
shed, thus frustrating the arming Of the
majority.
on the whistle sounding the ring leader
raised his Jumper and struck the prlncl-
pal warder on the side of the head, stun
ming him. rush was made for the shed,
which Was soon hlled with a bowling mob,
who, when they found It empty, yelled Ike
demons, whist warder close by shut
and locked the door, thus pinning them
like rats in a trap. About fifteen con
victs, myself among them, fell IN and did
NOT join the mutineers.
Fooled in his plan, the leader advised
rush to be made for the gate but six
leveled carbines loaded with buckshot
confronted the party. You towards ne
exclaimed, they can't XIII you AM and
attempted to escape by climbing the rug
ged face Of the quarry. A shot from
the sgnalman ended his life, the charge
having penetrated his heart. second
attempt was made on the right flank, but
the man was shot by one OF the civil
guard. The remainder or the muuneerS
were quietly secured, and that evening
ioyed the hospitality Of the prison for
over I'VE weeks.
As a sequel to the quarry mutiny, must
relate an incident that happened several
years afterward at another prison. in
which 1 nearly lost my LIE.
l was holding a chsel for a mason, a
erev-headed old man with several con-
Victions recorded in his cap. Gradually
his features became familiar to me, AMI
a mutual recognition took place. He
was one of the mutineers of the quarry
and had suffered nogg-ng Tor MS snare
in the transaction. had only time 10
leap aside, when he attacked me with
his hammer and l received a blow on
my arm that laid me up for weeks.
Thus far I have related my successes;
let me now give a case in which all my skill
was unavailable, and / had to retire and
acknowledge myself fairly beaten. A
Jewel robbery, cleverly planned and car
ried out, resulted in a quarrel over the
sharing of the spells, and information be-
ing given to the police, who smartly cap
tuTed the lot. The majority of the gems
were missing, however, and it was sup
posed that one OF the gang, having cleV-
erlv eluded the strict searches, had them
in possession in the prison where he was
serving.
I secuted the idea of a man being able
TO conceal anything in prison, but had to
obey orders and for seven weary weeks
I suffered in endeavoring to find their hid
ing place, but failed That he had them
about his person was proved years after
ward by a shrewd detective, who shad-
owed him from the moment he left the
prison, and captured him with the jewels
in his possession. How he concealed them
is a mystery which he alone can solve.
Again, on another occasion, I was baf-
fed by a quick-sighted assistant warder,
who recognized me, and nearly reported
to the governor that the numbers, letters
and color of my previous convictions
worn in the cap did not agree with the
period he had known me to serve at an
other prison; and as he could not be in
formed why / was there / was quietly
transferred without accomplishing my
object. 1t is needless to say 1 was more
carefully clothed on future occasions.
I have had many other adventures, but
I have written enough to show that the
| secret staff plays a very important part
! in maintaining discipline in our convict
prisons.