The Portland daily press., 1897-08-11

says that Willis cannot live, the Massachu-
setts general hospital says that Everett
Willis may live, and Officer Darling will
live, although increasing inflammation
may result in the loss of one eye The
affair caused tremendous sensation in
this city.
SENSATIONAL TO THE LAST.
Young Herbert Willis Makes Desperate
Attempt to Break From Charlestown
Prison.
Boston, August 10.-While attempting
to escape from the state prison at Charles
town just before noon today, Herbert
Willis, the young Taunton desperate,
who was recently sentenced to life i'm
prisonment for the murder of Fred N.
Strange, was fatally injured, and his
brother Edward, who assisted him in his
break for liberty, was seriously wounded
by the guards. Two of the latter were
wounded by the Willis brothers, who
tried to shoot their way out with revolt
vers, which Edward Willis, the murderer's
brother had brought with him on visit
to the prisoner.
|. Edward Willis was removed to che Mas
sachusetts General hospital, where it was
found that he had been shot in the
head and neck.
Herbert Willis. who is in the prison
hospital, was also shot in the head. u
The two guards who were hurt were
Turnkey e. F. Darling, who was shot in
Yard Officer Abbott, who was also in
jured about the head by blows. thought
to have been delivered with the revolver
in the hands of the desperadoes.
Edward Willis arrived at the prison at
about II O'Clock this afternoon, to pay
monthly visit to his brother. He was
admitted by the usual officials and Willis,
the murderer, was escorted to the guard
room to meet his relative. At the time
Officer WithaIn was on guard in the
rotunda, Turnkey Darling was at the
door leading into the yard, Officer Alb
bott was on duty in the yard, and Officer
Townsend was at the door leading from
the office to the guard room.
Fivesother visitors were in the rotundal
at the time, man. two women and
two children. The brothers Willis had
been conversing in a low tone, standing
apart from the others in the guard room
for about half an hour, when Officer
Whitman saw the visitor pass revolver
to his brother, and together they sprang
to Turnkey Darling, their intention evil
IDENTIFY being to secure his key.
Witham rushed to Oar ling assistance,
and as he did So, the Willis brothers
opened fire. Seeing the deperate nature
OF the affair, Witham returned the shot,
but missed. Meanwhile Officer Abbott
hearing the sound of shots, came through
the door into the guard room and Officer
Townsend came from the office.
Witham had closed with Edward Willis
md III <,,I +, III 1,rk %l1
next instant eluded Witham's grasp,
seeing which Townsend fired shot
which penetrated the neck of the desper-
ate man. With almost the instant Officer
Benjamin, who was on duty in one of
the wings, fred shot through the bars,
wounding Willis in the head.
Meanwhile, Herbert Willis had been
repeated shots from his revolver, to
which the officials responded, showing
great care not to hit the other visitors.
A shot from the revolver of Officer
Witham, however, took effect in the
head, while from Darling's almost the
same instant, found Judgement in the
back of the head. The murderer was then
secured and removed from the scene;
Edward Willis was also taken away and
the officers, nearly all Of whom bore some
mark of the affair, were given prompt
medical attention.
1t is thought none will suffer seriously
except, possibly, Darling, who is of ad-
vanced age.
The whole affair occupied but few
moments, but it caused great excitement
and measures were taken to prevent any
outbreak among the prisoners. None
was attempted, however, and it was only
a short time before quiet was restored
Herbert Willis was sentenced to a life
term of imprisonment last February, af-
ter having been convicted Of the murder
of Frederick N. Strange, several months
previous. The murder of Strange was
but one of series of bold highway rob-
berries and other acts which, for time
terrorized southwestern Massachusetts,
and the adjoining districts of Rhode ISL
and. Strange was murdered apparently,
in order that the highwayman who per
petrated the deed, might obtain posses
sion of his bicycle.
Young Willis Only Eighteen Years Old.
Taunton, Mass, August 10.-Eyerett
B. Willis, who attempted to effect the
escape of his brother from Charlestown
prison is morning, is IS years old this
month, and resembles his brother very
much in appearance. He has in this city
a reputation of being of venturesome
disposition, and according to his mother
has been very nervous since the arrest Of
his brother.
Mrs. Willis saw Everett off this morn
ing for Boston, but says she had no
reason to suspect that he contemplated