The herald., 1897-05-10
ROCK CUT
ROBBERY
Supplemented by a Jail
Delivery
PARKER MAKES HIS ESCAPE
RIDING ON SHERIFF RUFFNER'S
PET HORSE
PARKER MAKES HIS ESCAPE
A Jailor's Head Broken and Assist
ant District Attorney Norris
Shot-Posse in Chase
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
PRESCOTT, Ariz.. May 9.-Jim
Parker, the notorious train robber, who
held up the Atlantic & Pacific train at
Rock Cut, this county, in February, added
another chapter to his history of crime
this afternoon by escaping from the
county Jail, in company with two other
desperate criminals, at 1 o'clock when
cept Jailer Meador were absent. The
prisoners in the Jail asked for a bucket
Of water, and Meador went to the Jail,
opened the door and a Mexican charged
King went out with a bucket to get
water. No sooner had the Mexican
passed out of the, inner door than he
grabbed Meador around both arms, and
Parker and L. c. Miller, in for forgery
came out Of the door. Meador screamed
for assistance, when Assistant District
Attorney Lee Norris, who happened to
be in the office up stairs, came to his
aid. AS he was descending the stairs
Parker, who had in the meantime gone
to the jailer's room and secured two rifles
and double-barreled shotgun, leveled
the later at Norris and fired. Norris,
when he saw the desperate men with
guns, retraced his steps and just turned
around when Parker fired, the charge
taking effect just to the left of the spinal
column, in the region Of the kidneys,
ranging upward. The wound Is be-
lieved to be mortal.
In the struggle between the Mexican
and Jailer Meador the latter was hit
terrific blow on the head with the big
iron key of the outside door, producing
an ugly scalp wound.
When Parker shot Norris the Mexican
released Meador, and all three prisoners
started to run. Although Meador was
dazed from the effect of the blow, he
fired three shots at them, none of which
took effect.
The prisons went direct to Sheriff
Ruffner's livery stable, less than half a
block distant, and held up the man in
charge. exchanging the rifle taken from
the jailer's room for one in the office of
the stable, and took two horses, one the
sheriff's favorite saddle horse, and rode
off. AS they left they remarked to the
very much surprised man in charge of
the stable, Just tell them that YOU saw
u.s."
Before leaving. fifty people, attacted
by the shooting in the Jail, had congre-
gated around the livery stable, but no
one being armed the escapes were not
molested. Chief of Police Prince was
among the spectators, but being un-
armed could do nothing toward pre-
venting the escape. After mounting the
desperadoes rode through the principal
streets of the town, the Mexican and
Miller on one horse and Parker or. the
other, leaving in southerly direction.
A posse of about twenty men armed
with Springfield rifles formerly owned
by the local militia company Immediate
ly organized and started in pursuit
with brace of bloodhounds owned by
j. D. Moore to trail them. In the organ
lzatlon of the posse, securing arms and
ammunition, the escapes got nearly an
hours start of the pursuers Miller
one of the escapes, was formerly a
constable here and few years ago
shot and nearly killed Chief of Police
Archibald. ALL three are determined
and desperate men and it Is generally
believed will not be taken without ter
rible resistance.
Otto Miller, a brother of one of the
prisoners; Ward Pritchard. a
newspaper employees; John Fritch and
Adolph Blair, were arrested this even
ing charged with assisting the prison.
ers to escape. The nature of the evil
dence against them is not given out by
the officials
One of the men accompanying the
posse with the bloodhounds returned
at o'clock. The dogs followed the
trail for ten miles, when they played
out and the owner was compelled to
take them off. 1t was thought the posse
was only few minutes behind the es-
capes where the dogs were taken off.
Sheriff Ruffner, who was absent at
Congress when the affair occurred, re-
turned on a special train at o'clock
and Immediately left in uprsuit. From
forty to fifty men are now out. Posses
being ordered out by telephone from
and Crowned King. Ply
sicians pronounce Norris case as hope
less.
Sheriff Ruffner has offered $1,000 re-
ward for the recapture of the des-
peradoes.
L dIhcI Is d COW DOy anu we'll dCQud1nt-
ed throughout the south. Sheriff Ruff
ner has had one long ride after him
and is we'll acquainted with the country
as the desperadoes. AS they only had
eighteen minutes start. he will most
likely have to give them a running
fight, and as the reward is for their
bodies, either dead or alive, it is prob
able they will not have to spend an
other term in the county Jail.
MILLER WOUNDED
Some of the posse returned just be-
fore midnight and report that Munds
and Yeomans overlook the escapes at
Beck's ranch, on Lynx creek. just be-
fore dark. A fight ensued in which
Miller was wounded, but how seriously
was not ascertained, as Parker i'm
assisted him to the horse
again behind him and they succeeded
in getting away. The horse ridden by
the Mexican was shot from under him
and the Mexican escaped on foot in the |
brush.
Horses ridden by officers tired out,
and fresh horses have just been for