The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-08-11
BOLD STRIKE FOR LIBERTY
THRILLING AND TRAGIC EPISODE
IN NMASSACHUSEITSS STATE PRISON.


Visitor, Attempt to Shoot Their Way Out
of Prison-Both Badly Wounded, the
Former Fatally-Several officers Shot.
Boston, Aug. 10-Herbert Willis, a
life prisoner in Charlestown state prls-
on, being sent there for the murder Of
Fred n. Strange of Taunton, Mass,
nearly year ago, attempted, with the
assistance of his brother, who was VS.
iting him, to shoot his way to freedom
this morning. While the attempt was
unsuccessful, no less than twenty-five
shots were exchanged by the men with
four of the prison officers, with the re-
suit that Willis, the convict, now lies
at the point of death, his brother Ever
ett is severely, if not fatally wounded,
and one Of the brave prison officers is
under a physicians care with deep
bullet wound in his ear.
The affair was all over inside of three
minutes.
Late tonight the prison hospital re-
port says that Convict Willis cannot
live; the Massachusetts, general hospi-
tai says that Everett Willis may live,
and officer Darling will live. although
increasing Inflammation may result in
the loss Of one eye. The affair caused a
tremendous sensation in this city.
When Everett B. Willis, on his regu-
lar monthly visit to his brother, called
at the prison. this morning, it was 1890
o'clock, and after pass into the pris-
on had been issued to him, he went di-
rectly to the meeting place in the ro-
tunda. His brother Herbert, the mur-
dered, was summoned from the work
shop, and in a few minutes the two
We're in an earnest conversation, each
being seated in chairs in the rotunda,
directly in front of the west wing and
in full view of the officers.
Officer Witham sat down at a table
in the center Of the room where he
could keep sharp oversight on the
pair and as another precautlon, officer
j. s. Abbott took a position in a chair
nearer the entrance to the rotunda.
Officer Darling at II o'clock stepped up
to the men and told them their time
was up. AS soon as he turned his back
on them and started toward the center
of the rotunda, he was directly in line
of the other officers, and that was un-
doubtedly the time when the revolver
was passed.
In an instant the two brothers,
crouching near by, began their fustlade
of bullets. The convict fired three
shots at Officer Witham, but his aim
thof Ill
When the first bullet whistled by his
head Witham stopped behind the little
table at which he had been sitting, and
while in that position drew his revolver
and returned the fire.
officers Abbott and Darling also OPP
ened fire, and in a short space of time
Officers Benjamin and Townsend rush.
ed to the assistance of the other Off
GERS
Flash after flash came from the re-
volvers until nearly twenty-five shots
had been exchanged between the con-
vict, his brother and the officers.
Officer Townsend was al his desk out
side of the rotunda when the shooting
began and instantly drawing his revol-
yer he sprang to the door, opened it.,
and slammed the door after him. He
threw the key away so that if overpow-
cred the men could not get out AS he
stepped into the rotunda Herbert Willis,
the prisoner, broke from the officers
and rushed across the rotunda towards
the door while his brother continued to
struggle with the officers.
AS the prisoner sprang forward
Townsend fred Willis threw up his
arms and spinning round staggered to-
ward the east side of the rotunda and
fell to the floor. The next instant his
brother, who had now broken from the
officers, came rushing toward Town
send and before the latter could again
raise his revolver, was upon him. and
the two men grappled in a fierce strug-
gle Willis had fired his last shot but
he freed him right arm and struck
Townsend with his empty revolver, in
flicting some painful bruises.
Townsend did not try to hit back, but
forcing his revolver against Willis
chest fired, the ball passing into Willis
lungs. Almost at the same moment
Deputy r. P. Benjamin, who had been
outside in the prison and heard the fir
ing, rushed in and springing toward the
struggling pair, discharged his revol-
yer close to Willis head, the ball pass
ing into the neck near the ear.
This ended the struggle. Townsend
had a bad black eye and a lump as
large as hens egg on the side of his
head where Willis revolver butt land
ed, but is otherwise uninjured.
When the firing had ceased the forms
of the two brothers were found on the
floor. Both men appeared to be dying.
The convict was taken into the prison
hospital and his brother to the Massa-
chusetts general hospital.
Ever since his brothers conviction
Everett has been sullen and morose
and many of those who acted as in
| formers at the time of Herbert's arrest,
have feared that he would upon learn
! ing their identity, turn upon them in
his vengeance. Everett, as well as his
| brother, is fine athlete. and craved
excitement, and it is thought that the
| plan originated with him. 1t is now
| known that last week Everett sold all
| the goods and fixtures of his fathers
| fish market and that he used part of
| the proceeds to purchase the two re-
volvers and to pay his car fare to Bos-
| ION The result of the wounds of both