The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-08-25
BULLETS FLY IN PRISON.
Desperate Attempt to Release a Con.
vict in Boston.
"BICYCLE BANDITS" FIERCE FIGHT

Attack Of Herbert Willis, the Taunton
(MassI Desperado, and His Brother
Upon Keepers at Charlestown - The
Prisoner Fatally Shot-His Brother
and Two Officers Seriously wounded
BosroN, Mass. Especially While attempt
ing to escape from the State Prison al
Charlestown just before noon, Herbert Will
Is, the young Taunton desperate, who was
recently sentenced to life Imprisonment for
the murder OF Frederick N. Strange, was
fatally injured, and his brother. Everett, who
assisted him in his break for liberty, was
seriously wounded by guards. Two Of the
latter were wounded by the Willis brothers,
who tried to shoot their way out with revol-
vers which Everett Willis had brought with
him on visit to the prisoner.
Everett Willis was removed to the Massa-
phusatts General Hospital. where 1t was
found that he had been shot in the head
and neck. Herbert Willis, the murderer,
who is in the prison hospital, was shot
twice In the head. The two guards who
were hurt we're E. F. Darling, turnkey. who
was shot in the thigh and cut about the
head. and Yard officer Abbott. who was al
30 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 dur
ing the forenoon 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. Edward Whitman
and Darling were IN the rotunda with
Yard Officer Abbott, Officer Townsend,
and others near by. Five other visitors
were in the rotunda at tie time,
q man, two women, and two children.
The brothers Willis had been conversing in
low tone, sitting apart from the others in
She guard-room for about half an hour when
Officer Whitman saw the visitor pass re-
volver to his brother, and together they
sprang toward D arling. their intention evil
IDENTIFY being to secure his keys. Whitman
rushed to Dar!ing's assistance, and as he
did 80 the Willis brothers opened fire. one
Of the bullets striking Darling in the thigh
Seeing the desperate nature OF the affair,
Whitman returned the shots. but missed.
Abbott, who came through the door into
the guard-room at the same instant. saw
trouble and grappled with Edward Willis.
Both brothers, who had been beating Dar-
Ting, began to pound Abbott. Officer Town.
Send, from the office door. then fred q shot.
which penetrated the neck OF Willis, and a
second later officer Benjamin, who was on
duty in one Of the wings, fred a shot
through the bars, wounding Willis IN the
head.
Meanwhile, Herbert Willis had been
jumping around, firing repeated shots from
his revolver, to which the officials respond
cd, using great care not to hit the other
visitors. A shot from the revolver OF Of
acer Whitman took effect In the head,
while one from arling lodged in the back
Of his head. The murderer was then Sc
cured and removed. Everett Willis was
also taken away, and the officers, nearly
Rll of whom bore some mark OF the affair,
we're given medical attention.
It is thought none OF them will suffer
seriously. except, possibly, Darling, who Is
struck him In the thigh, passed completely
.through. and the wound is considered
dangerous.
At 2 O'Clock o. m, It was learned from the
prison authorities that the murderer was In
. precarious condition, as a result OF his
wounds. and that there was little hope that
he could survive. His brother, though
seriously wounded, 1t Is thought, has q
chance Of getting we'll.
Herbert Willis, the prisoner. Is nineteen
years old, and his brother eighteen. Her
Aert Willis was committed on February IS
of this year for the murder Of young Fred
N. Strange, near Taunton, about year ago.
he had terrorized the community for two
weeks. His first offence was stealing bi-
cycle In Providence, R. I. On the night OF
June 20 occurred the murder Of Strange.
Willis hold up Strange as the latter was
riding along On his bicycle and took 1t from
him. When Strange resisted and began to
follow Willis shot him. He was arrested
on August and tried, found guilty and
sentenced few months later.
Everett Willis has always been of ven
turesome disposition. and was suspected OF
completely in Herbert's crimes, but nothing
could be proved against him. There are
four younger sisters in the family. Samuel
B. Willis, the father, left Taunton on June
IA, and Is thought to have gone to Alaska.