The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-08-11
TWO BROTHERS BREAK JAIL
Herbert Willis Fatally and Herbert ser
iousIy Wounded by the Guard.

Herbeee willis FATALLY and herbert Ser
iousIy Wounded by the Guard.
Boston, Aug. 10.-While attempting 10
escape from the state prison al Charies-
town Just before noon, Herbert Willis,
the young Taunton desperate, VINO was
recently sentenced TO life Imprisonment
for the murder OF Fred n. Strange, was
fatally injured by his brother Edward,
who assisted him in mis- break for liberty.
was seriously wounded by the guards
Two OF the latter were wounded oy the
Willis brothers. Edward Willis, VINO nad
gone into the prison 20 visit his orotnef'
had contrived TO pass a revolver 10 nim.
and then they tried 10 overcome The
guards.
Everett Willis was removed to the
Massachusetts, general hospital where II
was found that ne had been shot in me
head and neck.
Herbert Willis, who is in the prison
hospital, was shot twice in the head Inc
two guards who were hurt were TURN
key E. F. Darling, who was snot IN tle
thigh and cut about the head, ana 1ard
Officer Abbott, who was also cut ABOUT
the head by blows thought 10 have peen
delivered by the revolvers in the hands
Of the desperadoes.
Everett Willis arrived a. the prison this
forenoon to pay monthly visit 20 MS
brother He was admitted by the usual
officials. Herbert was escorted 20 fhe
guard rom 70 meet him. AT the time u
ficer Edward Whitman and turnkey
Darling were in the rotunda with Yard
Officer Abbott. officer Townsend and
Others near by. The Willis broLhers mad
been conversing in low tones, sltting
apart from the others in the guard roo1n'
for about half an hour, when Ofhcer
Whitman saw the visitor pass revolver
10 his brother and togeched they sprang
towards Turnkey Darling, their intention
evidently being 10 secure his keys. Whit
ham rushed to Darling's assistance, and
as he did so the Willis brothers opened
fire. One bullet struck Darling IN the
thigh. Seeing the desperate nature OF
the affair, Whitman returned the fire,
but missed Officer Abbott, who came
through the door into the guard room al
the same instant, saw the trouble and
crappled with Edward Willis. Both the
brothers, who had been pounding Darling
began to beat Abbott. Townsend, from
the Office door, then fired shot which
penetrated the neck OF Everett Willis,
and second later Officer Benjamin. who
was on duty in one Of the wings, fired a
shot through the bars. wounding Everett
Willis IN the head.
Meanwhile Herbert Willis had fired
several shots from his revolver. 10 wnlcn
the officials responded. using great care
not to hit the other visitors. A shot
from the revolver OF Officer Whitman
took effeot in Heroert's head, while one
from Darling's pistol found lodgment in
the back of the murderer's head.
Herbert Willis was then secured and
removed from the scene Everett Wills
was also taken away, and the officers
nearly all of whom bore some mark OF
the affair, were given prompt medical at
tention. It is thought that none of them
will suffer seriously except possibly Oar
ling, who is of advanced age.
Herbert Willis is in precarious con-
dition. His brother, though seriously
wounded. il is thought has chance OF
recovering