New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-18
J. j. WHITE BREAKS JAIL.
ESCAPES FROM RAYMOND-ST PRISON
BY SLIDING DOWN A ROPE.

CAPTURED LATER IN STANFORD. CONN, on THE
STRENGTH OF AN OLD NORTHUMBERLAND
OF A LONG FIGHT AGAINST THE LEGAL
AUTHORITIES OF KINGS COUNTY.
The assistant warden Of the Kings County Jail. In
Raymond-st.. Brooklyn astounded yesterday
morning when he opened the front door at o'clock
and stepping out to the steps struck In the
face by a rope which was dangling from the top
OF the building II this rope that a little
after midnight Josiah ]. White. The eccentric
millionaire, man more than sixty years old, had
slid down from the room where he was confined for
contempt of court In refusing to turn over 10 the
Public Administrator about $4,000 In securities be-
longing 10 his wifes estate. The keeper was
dazed. then he dashed upstairs There he found
that the room where Mr. White had been impr.s-
oned empty. The rope tied to piece Of fur
nlture and leading out OF little window high in
the wall and hardly two feet across, told the whole
story. Steps were Immediately taken by Sheriff
Dreamer to find the fugitive. and he was arrested
yesterday about noon in Stamford, Conn. Sheriff
Dreamer started for Stamford yesterday. and
brought the prisoner back to Brooklyn.
II seems that White had planned his escape care
fully How he secured the rope Is at present only
a matter Of conjecture. and the boldness Of the
whole project surprises Sheriff Dreamer and the
other officials at the Jail Mr.. White has had
number of lawyers. but his latest is Alexander
day night the lawyer visited the Jail and had long
conference with his client; Mr.. White at that
time made and signed his will. His friends say
that he is desperate man at times. and probably
fully believed that In making an attempt TO escape
he would be taking his life In his hands 1t is
no easy task for a OF Josiah j. Whites years
lower himself down fifty feet Of dangling rope
and. again. there might be possibility OF being
shot II any caught him in the attempt.
Mr Cameron. It is said. left his client about II
O'Clock The officials at the Jail yesterday pre-
served absolute secrecy everything connected
with the case going far to deny
the story. Sheriff Dreamer kept Of sight all
day, and It was not until late yesterday afternoon
that the true story OF the escape came out.
Early In the morning Mr.. Cameron received a tele-
phone message from Stamford Conn. from Mr..
White From this II is evident that the escape
must have been made soon after midnight.
II seems that after getting away unnoticed Mr..
White started Immediately for Connecticut. Some
OF the property belonging his wifes estate is in
Stamford and he has frequently been there as a
fugitive from the civil authorities OF Brooklyn.
As soon as the warden at the jail discovered that
his prisoner was gone Sheriff Creamer and Charles
II. Hyde. the SheriNs counsel. were sent for. The
latter at last learned that White in Stanford.
and secured his apprehension White, knowing
that as he had been under arrest for n civil mis-
demeanor he could not be eXtradited II he got out
OF tho State. probably thought himself safe IN
Stamford. But Mr.. White reckoned not in
dictment which is still hanging him for per-
jury. This indictment was found against him al
most two years ago the ground that In swearing
TO the amount OF his wifes estate he underest-
mated IT, Mr. White alleged that 1t was not neces-
sary for him to include the property outside OF the
State OF NewYork.
The Court did not It that way. however and
the Indictment was brought in. Josiah T. Marean.
who at the time Mr.. Whites counsel. had tho
case transferred by Justice Gaynor TO New York
County The Indictment is still In force ana on
the strength OF it Mr. Hyde. tho counsel for the
Sheriff had a bench warrant sworn out ana De
manded that In accordance with the extradition
laws Tho Connecticut srthoyitls' allow Mr. "h'e
Josiah T. White has been in troube with tho
es,ate for several years About two weeks ago he
was adiudged by Surrogate Abbott 70 De IN cor
,nrn over SO 90 in securities belonging his wife
the Public Administrator he was oonr ~, turn ~
Raymond Street jail until he consented 10 oulhh
over the securities An effort TO secure ball proved
futile ,.,,,,n %
keep White in Jail until he gave In on the otnef
hand Mr. White was stubborny determines thas
NE " c%p net s aer up the fauPe Of the
tempt to evade the legal machinery OF Kings 'ouh'
J0ssh Whtss aIs wife Of d ssi
lcft to an only Freddie now fourteen years
the H time in t the handsome house No 1875 Columbia
Heights and have played lVeiy sa d1'rt officers
for the last two years. White was appointed ad-
mnistrator OF his wlfes estate by tne oulrVs r,,
Time slipped by and no accounting or the properly
was made. The surrogate's office endeayore e1
again and again to get him 70 pay the transfer
tax At last early I'm 1895. irritatcd beyond degree
they began an Investigation. White continued 10
elude them. . -. .,..
a year ago he was adjudged IN contempt OF cou ha
@ e ob0 Haf soW ,hT0nSh
Attorney. other papers were made out agaln n
him hut he proved slippery as an eel or some
time he shut himself in the house In Columoia
Heights barricaded the front windows 70 MAKE !.
annear that no one living there. and only Ieit
The house AZ night He would climb out the back
way andd the terrace into Furmah,s'' oe'ow w.
FINALLY Mr. white escaped with his boy 10
Massac6nsetts where n the winter Of 1891 the
SON was nut in school The Low campaign OF last
fail brought him back &c the city but ne always
vanished whenever the authorities attempted 70
snnrehend him He has had a dozen lawyers. ana
earh in turn would drop his case. as he stuoporny
refused to be guided by ,ner esa 10 Rroekvn late
last evening When asked why he tried TO escape
II did not want to die In jail. so ! thought
wouli get out when I could a.,
Mr. White has evidently not yet made up MS
mind TO submit TO the Surrogates orders