The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1897-03-06
WAS TAKEN OUT OF JAIL
FRIENDS OF "sI.IAIu BIRCH oVBR-
POWER THE GUARD.
The First Case of the Kind I'm the
Alaskan City-A Reward Of
$500 Is ORered.

Another thrilling chapter has been
added to the history OF Juneau ana an
experience has been accorded her citizens
that heretofore was supposed to belong
exclusively to the Jesse James section of
the Union, says the Alaska News There
has been a jail delivery in which masked
men, several wicked looking guns, and a
terrified guard played the principal parts.
Since the birth of Juneau this is the first
instance in which such an event has
transpired, and as history is said to repeat
itself it is fair TO assume we have reach
ed the era Of safe crackers and stage
robberies, those playful little pastimes
which are in the same category with and
seemingly inseparable from jail deliveries.
Belated pedestrians who happened on
the streets Saturday evening about half
past II were startled at hearing three re-
volVer shots fired in quick succession in
the neighborhood of the court house. A
moment later Deputy District Attorney
DAILY, who has rooms in the federal build
ing, came tearing down the street with
the information that masked friends of
Slim" Birch had overpowered the guard,
taken the cell keys, and released the
prisoner. The affair took place shortly
after IL o'clock, at time when the build
ing was deserted save for the presence
of the prisoners, one guard, and Mr.. Daily,
who fortunately happened in at the un-
usually early hour.
Arriving mt the Jail.
Upon arriving at the jail the determined
men quietly passed through the corridor
stopping at the room occupied by the
guard, Gus Lindquist. They knocked at
the door and when Lindquist responded
by opening it he found himself looking
down the barrels of two six shooters. The
spokesman of the three men ordered him
to be quiet and to unlock the door lead
ing to the cells without any unnecessary
delay. Without stopping to argue the
matter with the gentlemen the bolts were
quickly drawn and they passed into the
cell corridor. The jailer was then polite
ly requested to hand over his cell keys
and almost before he realized what was
taking place Birch was a free man and
had Joined his companions. Lindquist
was hustled into the empty cell, his gun
was confiscated, and the men were Off,
I not even pausing to say good-by or leave
any message as to their future address.
AS soon as they had gotten out of hear
ing the captive guard began beating q
| tattoo on the walls and finally succeeded
in arousing Mr.. Daily from his peaceful
slumbers, who released him from his en-
barrassing position as soon as he could
change his pajamas for habiliments more
/ suitable for presentation In public.
| Officers Followed In Vain.
| When informed of the escape Deputy
| Marshal Hale at once made arrangements
| for man hunt the following morning
| being Joined by Marshal Williams who
arrived on the Al-ki Monday. The little
| steamer Lucy was chartered and with
four men aboard a cruise was made north
as far as Dyea. Berners bay. Chilkat and
| Haines mission were also visited, but no
trace of the fugitive and his friends could
be found. 1t is certain they have not
started for the Yukon, as there are many
Indians at present camped near Dyea
waiting for the Yukon travel to begin
and they are positive in their assertions
/ that no man has gone over the pass this
spring.
1t is said the plan to release Birch was
carefully made and every preparation to
make the escape good was fully attend
/ ed to. He and his two brothers own q
sloop which Is fast sailer and easy to
handle, and If provisioned for six months
/ they could find a thousand inlets and
estuaries in southeastern Alaska where
they could remain In hiding an almost
| indefinite period. Birch is a frontiersman
| and is accustomed to a rough life with
| in the woods of few months would not
| but few luxuries. An enforced residence
| Inconvenience him in the least. 1t has
been conjectured by some that in the
event of the escape having been made by
the sloop they will Immediately descend
upon Sitka and release Bob Birch, now in
| carcerated there in prison, and when the
| family is reunited all will make tracks
for British Columbia.
Marshal Williams has offered a reward
| of $500 for information that will lead to
the arrest of his erstwhile guest and is
putting forth every effort to effect his
apprehension. A description of Birch
and full particulars in regard to the
escape were sent to the sound on the
| Al-ki and the officers there will doubtless
keep a careful lookout for him.