The record-union., 1897-05-10

PRESCOTT, May 9.-Jim Parker. the
notorious train robber who held up an
Atlantic and Pacific train at Rock Cut.
this county, in February, added another
chapter to his history of crime this
afternoon by escaping from the County
Jail in company with two other desper-
ate criminals at 1 o'clock. when all at
taches of the Sherins office, except
Jaier Meador were absent.
The prisoners asked for a bucket OF
water. When Meador went to the jail
and opened the door, Mexican charged
with attempted murder. crowded out
with the bucket to get water No sooner
had the Mexican passed the inner door
than he grabbed Meador around both
arms and Parker and l.. c. Miller, in for
forgery, came out of the door. Meador
screamed for assistance, when Assis-
tant District Attorney Lee Norris, who
happened to be in the office upstairs.
came to his aid. He was descending the
stairs, when Parker, who in the mean
time had gone to the jailer's room and
secured two rifles and a double barreed
shotgun, leveled the latter at him and
fired. Norris, when he saw the des-
perate men with guns, retraCed his steps
and had just turned around when
Parker fired, the charge taking effect
just to the left of the spinal column in
the region of the kidneys ranging up
wards. In the struggle between the
Mexican and Jailer Meador. the latter
was hit terrific blow on the head with
the big iron key of the outside door.
producing an ugly scalp wound. When
Parker shot Norris, the Mexican re-
leased Meador and all three prisoners
started to run. Although Meador was
daZed from the effect of the blow, he
fired three shots at them, none of which
took effect. The prisoners went direct to
Sheriff Buffner's livery stable, less than
half a block distant and held up the
men in charge, took two horses and
RODE of. AS they left they remarked to
the man in charge of the stable: Just
tell them that you saw US"
A posse was Immediately organized
and started in pursuit with brace of
bloOdhounds. The escapes got nearly an
hours start of the pursuers.
Otto Miller, a brother of one of the
escaped prisoners; Ward Pritchett, a
newspaper employe; John Fitch and
Adolph Blair were arrested this even
ing, charged with assisting the prison.
ers to escape.
The nature of the evidence against
them is not given out by the officials.
One of the men accompanying the
posse with blOodhounds returned at {
o'clock. The dogs followed the trail ten
miles when they became exhausted and
were taken off. 1T is thought the posse
was only a few minutes behind at the
point where the dogs were taken off.
Sheriff Buffner, who was absent at Con-
gress when the affair occurred returned
on a special train at Z o'clock and left in
pursuit From 40 to 30 men are now
out.
Posses have been ordered out by tele-
phone from Chaparal and Crowned
King.
The physicians pronounce Norris case
hopeless.
The break occurred at noon when the
Courthouse was nearly empty. Several
posses have been started after the fugi-
tives and 81 900 reward has been of
fered for their apprehension, dead or
alive.
1t is believed that Parker will resist
arrest to the last extremity.
Some of the posse returned just before
midnight and reported that Munds and
Yeomans overlook the escapes at Beck's
ranch, on Lynx Creek, just before dark.
A fight ensued in which Miller was
wounded but how seriously was not as
certained, as Parker Immediately as
sisted him to the horse again behind him
and they succeeded in getting away.
The horse ridden by the Mexican was
shot from under him, but the Mexican
escaped on foot in the brush.
The horses ridden by the officers are
tired out and fresh ones have just been
forwarded them, but no further news
is expected until daylight.
At this hour, 12:05 a. m, Norris con-
dition is very critical and he is not ex-
pected to live until morning.