Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-03-10
lRATS AS SENTINELSsi
THE TRICK WORKED ey CRIMINALS
IN AN OHIO PRISON.

A story told by w. II. Ryan, an old
Ohio sheriff, illustrates the ingenuity
of criminals, Ryan was sheriff of Cuya-
hoga county for several years and re.
fused third or fourth nomination for
the office for tho reason that the county
Jail in Cleveland was SO old and dilapi-
dated that tho watching of tho 20 or so
prisoners was moro Of a job than no
cared to keep. While he was still in
charge u notorious criminal named Fos-
Ger ana an accomplish were convicted
and sentenced TO u long term of inn
prisonment in tho Ohio penitentiary.
At that time tho Jail was crowded, and
Sheriff Ryan was compelled to place
both convicted men in tho Same ooll.
Tho sheriff lived in tho county build
ing, and on tho night following the con-
viction Of Foster ho went to bed soon
after supper intending to get up early
the next morning and take tho two
prisoners to the ponitontiary, About
midnight he awoko with a start, Ho
was trembling violently and was con-
WINGED that trouble was brewing in tho
Jail,
"There's something wrong in tho
jail, !" he said to his wife, "and III bet
Foster is about ready to break out, I'm
going down stairs to look around. "
Dressing himself, he put n revolver
into his pocket and noiSelessly went
down to tho chief jailor's room ON tho
first floor, Abo Abrams, his deputy,
was guarding tho jail door
whats tho mattcry" asked Abrams,
whats wrong in tho jail?" returned
tho sheriff,
Nothing" replied Abrams.
"Hiavont you heard tho noiso Of
sawsY asked Ryan.
Nope, and they ain boon working,
or I'd heard EN-. M Two been laying
mighty quiet
Ryan was suspicious and listened at-
tcntivoly Mt the Jail door, There was no
Noise except an occasional snoro of ono
of tho prisoners
"Aho, said Ryan, I'm certain Eos.
ter and his pal arc up 10 misuhioh I've
boon feeling ii IN my bones all night,
and I'm going to sneak in two tiers UNI
der their coll and listen,
He opened tho jail door noisolossly
and orept through tho Jail until no was
under Fosters cell Ho had not made
tho slightest noise OF TINT no was cor.
tain lilo breathed regularly and with IA
littlo noiso M possible, aud he could
not detect sound which Indicated that
IN effort was being mado to saw tho
cell bars. Nevertheless, ho could not
get rid of his suspicion and remained
thoro perfectly quiet until o'clock.
Then no went TO breakfast, called .
deputy and, placing tho handouts and
log irons on Foster and his confederate.
prepared to taSo them to Columbus on
IN early train.
''As soon as we leave" said tho
sheriff to Abrams lyon search tho cell
and telegraph mo tho result ut Column
bus.
When Columbus was reached about
noon, this message was handed to Ryan:
Found two dozen ilno nlo SAWS In cell
AnnAMs.
Ryan handed tho telegram 10 tho
prisoners, and when they read 1t they
laughed.
"You SEQ, boys, that you may DO
pretty foxy. but you couldn't beat the
old nun, said tho sheriff,
"rhut's right" said Foster; "but
what made you como into the Jail last
night aud stay no long9 Who put you
on?"
"Nobody," answered Ryan. ~ just
guessed it. But how did You know ]
was thore9 Did you hear me2'
mot sound. You mado u quiet
sneak for such big man, said Eos.
tors pal
"Then how did you know was
thore9" persisted tho sheriff.
NOW. SEQ here, Mr.. Ryan, replied
Foster. "Wo're in for long term, and
II you will put good word IN for as
we'll tell you our secret, :
agreed" said Ryan, !
well, where We got tho saws IL
neither hero nor there and mono Of your
business" said Foster, "but We knew
| You were watching nv and knew that II
we wanted to give you the slip we
would havo TO exercise moro than or.
binary or human vigilance. Now, the
Jail In full Of rats, and Jail rats having
been killed 30 often by way Of amuse.
ment for tho prisoners, arc timid. Rats
like meat. We saved some Of our meat
at supper every night and scattered 10
In front of the cell The rats soon real.
lied that we meant them no harm,
ard after number Of experiments they
would allow ono Of us to feed them
while tho other worked. Rats have d
kcener sense Of hearing than men, and
II M outsider should appear they would
run. Well, when you sneaked into the
Jail last night we didn't hear you. but
tho rats did. They scampered and we
quit. When you loft, tho rats returned,
but IL was too late then. and the game
was up.
The records OF county commissioners
show that on tho following day reGui-
sition was received from the sher,R's
office calling for two dozen rat traps
and case Of rat poison. Pigeonholed
in the prosecuting attorney Office il an