The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-11
TRAGEDY IN A PRISON
BREAK FOR LIBERTY by a MURDETt-
Err, AIDED By HIS BROTHER.
Former Fatally Shot in the Head,
injured, One of Whom May Die.

BOSTON. Aug. l0-Whie attempting to
escape from the state prison at Charles
town, just before noon to-day, Herbert Will
lis, the young Taunton desperate who was
recently sentenced to life Imprisonment for
the murder of Fred n. Strange. was fatally
injured. and his brother Everett who as
sisted him in his break for liberty, was
seriously wounded by the guards. Two of
the latter were wounded by the Willis
brothers. Everett Willis, who had gone
into the prison to visit his brother, had
contrved to pass a revolver TO Herbert
retaining a weapon himself, and with these
they tried to overcome the guards
Everett Willis was removed to the Massa-
chusetts General Hospital, where ii was
found that he had been shot in the head
and neck. Herbert Willis, who is in the
prison hospital was shot twice in the head.
The two guards who were hurt were Turn
key E. f. Darling, who was shot in the
thigh and cut about the head, and Yard
officer Abbott, who was also injured about
the head by blows, thought to have been
delivered with the revolvers in the hands OF
the desperadoes Everett Willis arrived at
the prison this forenoon TO pay a monthly
visit TO his brother He was admitted by
the usual officials. Herbert was escorted 10
the guardroom to meet him. AT the time
Offer Edward Whitman and Turnkey OAR
ling We're in the rotunda with Yard officer
Abbott Officer Townsend and others near
by. Five other visitors were in the rotunda
at the ume-a man, two women and Two
children The Willis brothers had been con-
versing in a low tone, sitting apart from
the others in the guardroom: for about half
an hour when Officer Whitman saw the
visitor pass a revolver to his brother, and
together they sprang toward Turnkey OAR
ling, their intention evidently being to Sc
cure his keys. Whitman rushed to OAR
ling's assistance, and as he did so the Willis
brothers opened fire. One bullet struck OAR
ling in the thigh. Seeing the desperate ma
ture of the affair, Whitman returned thu
fire. but missed. officer Abbott, who came
through the door into the guardroom at the
same instant, saw the trouble and grapped
with Everett Willis. Both brothers, who
had been beating Darling began to pound
Abbott Townsend, from the office door,
then fired a shot, which penetrated the neck
OF Everett Willis. and a 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, to which the ofn-
Gals responded using great care not to hit
the other visitors. a shot from the revolver
of Officer Whitman took effect in HerbertS
head, while one from Darlings pistol found
Judgment in the back of the murderers
head.
Herbert Willis was then secured and re-
moved from the scene. Everett Willis was
also taken away, and the officers, nearly all
of whom bore marks of the affair, We're
given prompt medical attention. 1t Is
thought none of them will suffer seriously.
except possibly Darling. who is of advanced
age. The bullet, which struck him in the
what is considered a dangerous wound. in
view of the possibility of blood poisoning.
Herbert Willis is in a precarlous cond1tion
a result of his wounds, ana there Is lit
tie hope that he will survive. His brother,
though seriously wounded, it is thought has
a chance of recovery.