The herald., 1897-05-27
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The bars of the ceiling over the closet
had been penetrated, sufficient num-
ber of the bars of the upper portion Of
the tank cut away. and the outward
wall Of the jail broken through save one
lining Of brick. An investigation fol-
lowed. and 1t was found that Mccarthy
was responsible for this latest attempt
at jail-breaking. While the exact
methods Of his operation are not abso-
lutely known, the plan he followed is
in some measure explained by the ver-
sion he himself gave to Sheriff Burr yes
terday morning. Mccarthy occupied
the southeast cell in the tank and he,
with other prisoners, had the freedom
of the corridor during the daytime.
During the change of guards he kept
hard at work with only a wood chisel
and small but highly tempered saw to
aid him. How these tools got into his
hands has yet to be explained, as well
as several other matters.
HOW HE CUT OUT
BY standing on the seat of the closet
he was enabled to reach the steel bars
forming the roof. SO to speak, Of the
tank. The saw was brought into reQui.
sition and enough Of these were cut
through to afford, when removed, pas
sage for mans body. But the job
couldn't be completed at once, and
meantime provisions had to be made
that the attention Of the jailor was not
attracted by anything wrong with the
bars Of the tank. This difficulty was
obviated by Mccarthy placing strong
stick across the solid portion Of the tank
and from 1t suspending the cut portion
by means, Of a rope. In this way, to
casual observance, the upper portion Of
the tank presented the usual uniform
appearance.
The heaviest part Of the work having
been done the lath. plaster and wood
work above the United States tank, and
separating It from the loft Of the jail,
must have been speedily penetrated.
Up above Mccarthy could work at his
ease. There was nothing then between
him and liberty but heavy brick wall.
AS he picked out the bricks he allowed
them to fall on blankets he brought
from his cell for the purpose, and in that
way deadened the sound He borei
and it Is surmised that If his clever
SCHcIIlc udu tOt uccu uieCUVcTcu MIC
Carthy would have bid adieu to the Jail,
with all its unsavory memories of trial
and conviction, last night.
How this daring attempt was carried
so near to completion without being
discovered before is marvel. The
sounds that Turnkey Manahan heard on
Tuesday night were made by Mccarthy
picking out the bricks. In some un-
explained manner when the prisoners
were locked UP in their cells for the
night he contriyed to remain on the out
side In the tank corridor in order to
prosecute his work,
THE JAILER'S STATEMENT.
Jailer Kennedy stated that orders
have repeatedly been received from the
sheriff's office to keep unusual vigilance
ever Mccarthy. and the turkeys have
been instructed accordingly. It has
been known all along that he had
powerful friends on the outside who are
only too anxious to see him escape.
for II Mccarthy should once make IN
his mind to tell all he knows there arc
rlany others. who so far have been able
to keep In the dark. who would be inplt-
Gated in the tunnel schemes.
Proceeding. Kennedy said: Tuesday
night Turnkey Manahan came to ma
between $50 and 10 o'clock and reported
that he did not like the looks OF things
up in McCarthy's Gall n sai6 that