The St. Johns herald., 1898-09-24
GREAT EXCITEMENT.
St. Johns fire Scene of More Ex. citenent, Than Has Been
 Known for Years.


 St Johns was all excitement over the escape of one Of he prisoners About sam Deputy sheriff Thomas Berry went into the jsi! for tre nHrpose of SiniIh one of the prisoners was in the babt Of lying abs-d rather late. Mir. Berry un.ocked Ihe door and left the key in tue lock, while he went into the cell to wake hIm up; but instead of the man being in the bed roll of blankets had been put there as blnff. as Berry
 went into this cell Smith came out Of another and ran ont through the door and locked it taking the key with him. Mir. Berry was now the prisoner. he says that when SmIh ran ont that he had sIX shucter in his hand and that he went out inst west of the jail and there he picked up gum which had been put there by some of his pals. he then took to his heels and made for the river. which he gained, while running he fired several shots. af.er crossing the river he ran to Mexican's corral, but upon finding no horses there he fired several shots and gave two or three yells.
 By this tune the whole town was wild with excitement and all was hurry and hustle sume went for horses, others for guns. while some were snrmountlDg the highest polnfs to watch the perform anre, in short time q posse of men went out to try 10 capture hIm. after he left the corral hA made for the water wag on and demanded one Of the horses say ing that someone had killed the sheriff and that Ire wanted the horse to help catch the fellow. Tire posse saw him making for the wagon and made dash 60 try to head hun of. but they were 10 late; he made the distance and sue. cee,led in getting the hor19 beflre the men could come up several shots were fired at him but to no effect. A hot chase ensued. which last while they went about four miles. Tn the mean time MT. Berry was gotten out of Jail and he towas soon on the trail. The posse only have one winchester thought it best to come back and get fresh horses and more guns Mir. Berry and Curtic1 however were on another trail and did net come back. In about one hour aft. CT the return of the posse. the follow named men were in readiness to take the trail:
 Ed. Bealer, William Harris; and Will. liam Gibbons. Will Harris did not leave until an hour after the rest. All men were we'll armed.
 The afternoon passed quletly bv until towards evening. when the town was again aroused by the appearance of three horSemen, who acted rather sus. pirious. .one of them went to the jail and inquired as where Smith was, he was told that he had broken jail that morn ing. he then went to where Smith had got the gun in the morning and looked around little and finally rode out of town. after they had left town it was thought it would be wise plan to ar rest them. A party Of men went out in search Of them, but could not get any track of them.
 About len o'clock that night part of the posse that left Tn the morning came back. They report that they had been on the trail alI day, but at night their horses were SO tired that they deemed better 10 come back, on their arrival here they found Sheriff W. w. Berry and other men just starting on the rail, hut upon learnig tine direction he convict had taken, they changed heir course and went to Sprin .erville o try to head him off.
 Will Harris. the one that left after all the posse had gone, came Tn Tues fay evening. He report having been on the trall all day Monday and that towards evening he saw a man; whom he hailed. but the man put spurs to his horse and galloped away. Will says hat he chased him about two miles, | )ut his horse gave out on hlm; he then l vent to the Cienega AmirIlo. where he stayed all night and in the morning | ook the trail again and followed it un- Il evening. when he gave up the chase md came home.
 The horse which was taken from the water wagon and which belonged to NIT Mineer, came home today looking as though he had been used pretty bad y, and thus stands the case today.
 WEDNESDAY.
 Sheriff Berry returned during the night with four prisoners belonging to same cliqne as the escaped convict, on heir arrival here one Vas turned loose. IS there was no charges against him, .e returned to SpringervIlie.