The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-03-12
IRATSUSED ASSENTINELS.
THE TRICK WORKED BY CRIMINALS
IN AN OHIO PRISON.

Approach of Keepers While They
Sawed the Iron Bars Of Their Cell.
A story told by W. R. Ryan, an old
Ohio Sheriff, illustrates the ingenuity
of criminals. Ryan, says the New
York Sun, was Sheriff of Cuyahoga
County for several years, and refused
third or fourth nomination for the
Office for the reason that the County
Jail in Cleveland was so old and dilapi-
dated that the watching Of the seventy
or eighty prisoners was more OF JOB
than he cared to keep. While he
was still in charge notorious criminal
named Foster and an accomplish were
convicted and sentenced to long
term of imprisonment in the Ohio
penitentiary. At that time the jail
was crowded and Sheriff Ryan was
compelled to place both convicted
men in the same cell.
The Sheriff lived in the County
building, and on the night following
the conviction of Foster he went to
bed soon after supper, intending to
get up early the next morning and
take the two prisoners to the peniten-
tiary. About midnight he awoke with
start. He was trembling violently
and was convinced that trouble was
brewing in the jail.
"There's something wrong in the
JAIL" he said to his wife, land I'll bet
Foster is about ready to break out.
I'm going down stairs to look around. "
Dressing himself he put revolver
into his pocket and noiselessly went
down to the chief jailer's room on the
first floor. Abe Abrams, his deputy,
was guarding the Jail door,
"What's the matter?' asked Abrams.
"What's wrong in the jail?" re-
turned the Sheriff .uyx.z
"Nothing," replied Abrams.
"Haven't you heard the noise Of
saws?" asked Ryan.
"Nope, and they amt been work.
ing, or I'd heard 'em, as I've been
, laying might quiet"
Ryan was suspicious and listened
attentively at the jail door. There
l was no noise, except an occasional
Q snore of one Of the prisoners.
Q "Abe," said Ryan, 'Pm certain
, Foster and his pal are up to mischief:
I've been feeling it in my bones oil
r night, and I'm going to sneak in two
9 tiers under their cell and listen.
He opened the jail door noiselessly,
and crept through the Jail until he
was under Fosters cell. He had not
b made the slightest noise. Of that he
was certain. He breathed regularly
, | and with as little noise as possible,
and he could not detect sound which
indicated that an effect was being
made to saw the cell bars. Neverthe.
u less, he could not get rid Of his sus-
!, picion, and remained there perfectly
quiet until 5 o'clock. Then he went
d to breakfast, called a deputy, and
j. placing the handouts and leg irons or
!. Foster and his confederate, prepared
, to take them to Columbus on on early
. train.
i Gas soon as we leave" said thu
Sheriff to Abrams, ''you search tn
4 cell and telegraph me the result a
:. Columbus
i, When Columbus was reached, abou
noon, this message was handed t.
Ryan:
!; "Found two dozen fine saw files il
d cell. ABRAMS
"a RYAN handed the telegram to tn
70 prisoners, and when they read it the,
laughed.
q. "You.se boys, that you may b
t. pretty foxy, but you couldn't beat tn
n old man." said the Sheriff.
a. "That's right" said Foster. ''Bu
a what made you come into the jail las
night and stay so long? Who put 20
l.. on?'
,d Nobody" answered Ryan. II jus
~ guessed it. But how did'you know
a. was there? Did you hear me?"
"a "Not o sound. You make quie
~ sneak for such q big man," said Fo'
ter's pal.
If "Then how did you know I We
~. there?" persisted the Sheriff.
i. CHOW, see here, Mr.. Ryan" reptile
ID Foster, "we're in for along term, an
ar if you will put good word in for 1
re we'll tell you our secret"
"Agreed," said Ryan.
~ "Well, where we got the saws
>, neither here nor there, and none
=. your business" said Foster, "but "
~ knew you we're watching us, and kne
~ that if we wanted to give you the sli
~ ~ we would have to exercise more tbs
~ ~, ordinary or human vigilance. Nov
w ~. the jail is full Of rats, and Jail rat
10 having been killed so often by way
amusement for the prisoners, a
on timid. Rats like meat. We save
an some of our meat ct supper eve
rls NIGHT and scattered it in front of II