The Florence tribune., 1897-05-15
A DESPERATE DEED.
Three Criminals Escape from Prescott
 Jail and Kill Lee Norris.
From the Prescott Journal-Niiner.l

From the Prescott Journal-Miner.l
 One of the most daring jail breaks ever attempted by desperate mea was successfully made at one o'clock Sunday afternoon from the county jail.
 It was accomplished by the probable fatal wounding of Lee Norris, assistant district attorney of the county and brother of T. G. Norris.
 At the hour above named the prison CTS in the jail called Jailor R. ". Meador, stating that they wanted bucket of water. Meador opened the jail door, permitting Mexican, who was confined on a charge of attempted murder, at Crowned King. to pass out with the bucket to secure the water. No sooner had he passed outside of the door, and before Meader had chance to close it than he grappled the jailor and prevented him from closing the door. Meador screamed for help and fought desperately with the Mexican to free. himself from his iron grasp and Q prevent the other prisoners from escaping. In the tussle the Mexican ,yrested the big key from Meador's hand and dealt him murderous blow on the head causing Q severe scalp wound from which the blood poured in torrents.
 While the struggle between the Mexi- can and Meador was in progress, Parker, charged with train robbery, and L c. Miller, charged with forgery, made their escape from the inside. Par ker went into the jailor's room adjoin- ing tue entrance and secured double barrellea shot gun, Winchester rife and six shooter. Just us he came in to the corridor of the jail with the weapons Lee Norris, attracted by the cries for help from Meador, came down the stairway. On seeing the armed and desperate prisoners he must have turned to flee up stairs again and as he did 80 Parker discharged one barrel f the shot gun, the charge taking saeet in Norris back and in his left tide.
 By thfs time the Mexican released his aold on Aeador and with Parker and Miller s.arted to run. As they left Meador fred three shots at them, but without effect.
 They vent up stairs in the court house through the hall, passing out of the south door and went directly to Sheriff Ruffner's livery stable, where .hey held up the stable keeper and 5ook two fine horses, one of them be-
 onging to man named Yeomans, of
 Zig Bug, and the other the favorite white horse belonging to the sheriff They did not take time to secure saddles. As they left they said to the stable keeper, "Just tell them that you saw us"
 Chief of Police and ex-chief of Police Archibald, whe were in front of the Corner Drug Store when the affair happened, rushed up to the livery stable, arriving there just as the mer were mounting the horses in the yart back of the stables, but as neither oi them was armed they were compelled to let them pass unmolested.
 Fully fifty people were in the vicinit, of Ruffner's stable before they lefi there, bat as none of them were armeT they were powerless to do anything t prevent their escape.
 A posse WAS immediately organized and from fifteen to twenty men started in pursuit. ". J. Mulvenon, who ha. had the arms of the old Prescott Gray. stored at his place, turned these gum over to the posse and Sam Hill furnish. ed ammunition for them. J. D. Moore joined the posse armed with rife and took his blood hounds along to trai the escapes.
 II is learned in this city that word oi the Jail break reached Sheriff Ruffnel at Congress while on his way to this city in company with Mir. Geo. II. Cook of Prescott, and that he at once re. turned to Prescott on special train from which place he took the trail oI the escapes with another noesa