The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-12-23

About a year ago a report gained
ground Of Dreyfus' escape. Thousands
OF pounds were spent in kilograms to
ascertain II the report was true or IL
correct. and the then governor was re-
| called. Since then every day at stated
hours the, prisoner is obliged to APPEAR
| outside his cage, and his existence is
| announced by telegraph 20 paris None
| OF his guards. VINO are frequently
| chan geo, is permitted 10 hold any con-
versatioD with the him Dreyfus is al
| lowed TO pay convict 10 act as his
| cook. He gets many newspapers and
books. but all his correspondence passes
through the hands OF the administration.
Prisoners Of DreyfuS class are usually
allowed to have their wives with them,
fused, although Nine. Dreyfus offered to
build the necessary habitation at her
own expense. ard to be no charge to the
government. The authorities were
afraid that her presence might cause
them further increase OF trouble and
anxiety.
Dreyfus has fattened since he has
been a prisoner. He reads and writes
much. sitting outside his cage. where he
can be seer on all sides. His guards
watch him night and day. never let
ting him cut OF their sight. All the
stories OF a substitute having been pro-
vided for him and tha; the real Dreyfus
Is not In custody are utterly absurd and
fabulous
Since the French, in difference 20 rep
resentatiors OF the Australian govern
ment and for other causes have given
up sending couvicts to New Caledonia,
Cayenne is the principal French penal
colony. The escape from the mainland
Is comparatively easy, though immense
hardships have TO be endured in order
20 reach either Brazil or the Guiauas.
ConviCts caught in Dutch Guiana are in
variably sent back 10 where they came
from The British colonies also refuse
them an asylum
From the Safety Islands the escape is
exceedingly difficult, as the ~aters
around them are infested win sharks
One OF these sharks. tne biggest and
boldest. Is wsH known as the "Harbor
Master" Deceased conviots are taken
out in a boat. fitted out with a plank
on lever. When the ;ever is released
the plank turns and the body on it
pitches into the water.
The toiling OF the death kneil IS a
signal for the sharks 20 appear. and t,re
body hardly reaches the water before
the sharks begin 20 struggle for il TIE
boat has to be rapidly pulled away il
ooier 20 avoid an accident from the com-
motion caused BY the sharks n theiE
Struggles 70 get the corpse
Notwithstanding these dangers. how
ever. convicts DO get away from tHe
Safety Isles. Only few months ago,
az eleven O'clock in the morning. SIX con-
v!cts seized whalenoat and took fight,
after having had time enough 20 provis-
ION her with water and food TINS nap
pened a: an hour when convscIs are not
supposed 10 be et large. and wner the
gus-ding ot them Is al its easiest The
fGgItyes. amid a shower ot rife and re-
volvec shots. succeeded n getting away,
passing under the stern OF a schooner
moored in the harboE in so doing. While
the s-sarn Launch was being prepared
for pursuit, the scnooner's services were
requis.tionei. but tae fugi;;vss promptly
made for the coast. where the xa.e-
vas shallow AMI where their pursaers
coaid not follow t6em.
Teiegrsphio notices OF the escape we're
rapidly sent around. bit the tugi.ives
succeeded il landing. aad :ae only sat
istac;ion the authorities had vas 70 re-
take the abandoned whale5oat Oas ot
the coavic;s was q notorious assassin.
Something lust as good" viii not
answer. sick 70 your paint, and when
you ask for goods advertised IN this
Per, you can get them.