The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-13
JAIL BREAKERS FoILED.


Reese1 asa p1npshandn mad Meant % nin the
Warden Of the Elizabeth Ssil sna mis- As.
distant ir Observation-Disclosures Trial fer
KILLING Farmer F~itts-Fivo I'm the Scheme.
ELIZABETH, N. J., Feb. 12.-warden Blore Of
tho Union County Jail prevented tonight q woll-
planned escape from his custody Of i've desper-
ate criminals, among whom were Louis Roesel
and Gerrge Manshanda, confessed murderers
Of Farmer Pitts Of Summit. who arc awaiting
trial for that crime. These two prisoners were
the rlngloaders. and Manshanda became 90
excited over the failure that no ravod and made
q statement that may hang him. Ever since
Manshanda and Roesel confessed to the murder
Of Farmer Pitts they have been confined In the
corridor Of tho jail with common prisoners. and
have received the same treatment. pa'.as .
Warden Bloro became Suspicious several
weeks ago that Manshanda and Roesel were up
to some game and kept o watch on them. They
wore seen to hold conferences with prisoners
named Michael B. Hoppenthaler. John Ryan
and q third. named Snyder. Ryan is imprisoned
for attempting TO murder a policeman, and Hop
penthaler for criminaily assaulting hisdaushter.
This afternoon Warden Blore learned that the
1--WE had planned to escape tonight, ana suo-
cecdod In ascertaining their proposed mode Of
procedure. When Assistant Warden Smith
went into the jail corridor to lock the prisoners
In their cells, the Eve were to slip out Of their
cells, which were on tho upper tier. and, drop
ping'to.the main floor, were to ATTACK Smith as
he went around the corner of tho cell tier. Man
shanda was to choke him. so he could not call for
assistance, And one of the othera was to got
Smiths billy and bent him ron the head
securing Smiths keys, revolver, and watch, the
five were to go into the Warden's office and
shoot tho Warden down. Escape, from tho
Wardon's office would be. easy. The plan was
to oe executed about z O'Clock; when Warden
Blore and his assistant arc tho only persons
about the building,
As soon an Warden Blore learned tho plan to
escape he County Defective KERN
and told him about tho scheme. Hoppenthaler
was taken into the Warden's Office and soon
had confessed his completely in the plan. Then
Roesel and Manehanda wero separately taken
jail. but each stoutly denied knowledge Of the
affair. Finally they were confronted BY Hop
penthaler, who In their presence related to
Warden Blore and Detective Korin all THO do.
tails OF the plan. Al soon AZ realized
that the, plan was known he leaped from his
have Hoppenthaler's blood II he got the chance.
II have got away with two or three men al
ready, and I'll do away with moro before I DID,"
he shouted. Then he regained control of him
self and refused to speak again. Roesel was
frightened too badly to speak. Roesel and Man
placed In solitary confinement, whore they will
be kept until they are tried, on March /, for the
murder of Farmer Pitts
'Manshanda and Roesel have confessed to the
murder, but each says the other struck tho fatal
blow. Since making the confession and whilo
in jail Manshanda attempted to commit suicide
BY turning on the Gas ono night. He nearly
himself. but Jopson awoke and succeeded in
saving both.