The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1898-01-23


| The Roanoke jail is un "easy thing"
Another hole in the wall tells the tale.
Rotten plaster helps the wicked to flee.
The new Jail not much better than the
old station house, so far as security goes.
Some time during Friday night while
all the inmates of the city Jail were wrapt
| In slumber, there was one who was very
| wide-awake and silently working at the
| bars of the cell to regain his freedom. He
had been at work some time when sec
| tion of the cell became loose and with a
| mighty wrench 1t was torn away from its
| place and there was uow nothing to pre-
vent him from leaving that small place
OF confinement and 1t was only the work
of a few moments before he stood in the
corridor.
Another short time spent in silently
picking away the mortar around the
bricks near window and tfen the bricks
were removed and with rope made of his
bedclothes he oLce more touched terra
firma and the Rev. Leslie Cook, alias Ed
ward Severne. the foIger, was again
bres thing the air of freedom.
At what time during the night he
effected his escape may never be known,
but he was not missed until 7:45 yester-
day morning, when breakfast was being
served, and the alarm was then given,
but it was too late.
1t was at first suggested to get the
bloodhounds, but the heavy lain made
that inpracticable, and so nothing could
be done save wait.
Cook was confined in cell on the third
floor which faced west anil it was evident
from the traces of way or soap found at
the place where he sawed ont that he had
been working on the cell for some time.
He had sawed through two bars and then
sawed the rivet at the top of an upright
bar and then wrenched the section oat.
The hole in the cell through which he
managed 10 get his body was, by actual
inches. while the hole in the wall was
larger.
The matter being placed in the hands
of Chief Dyer, he Immediately had some
circular letters printed with picture of
the escaped prisoner on it, and has sent
them through this and the adjoining
States.
A view of his cell reminded one of q
reading room, with every kind Of papers
AMI pamphlets in it.
There is as yet no clue whatever as to
his whereabouts or in which direction he
went, but great many are of the opin-
ion that he went to the mountains.
Judge A. j. Brand was Cooks counsel
and he mad every hope Of clearing his
client, but it seems that the preacher had
u sudden call to another charge and con-
clude6 to free himself, and thus relieved
the learned Judge of that much trouble.
The following is very good descrlp-
ticn of the man: He is about 80 years CID
about feet II inches high; weight about
ITO pounds; light gray eyes, Drown hair,
small red mOustache, face peck marked
especially noticeable about the nose; two
L..
Had on a dark suit of clothes, and had
short beard all over his face, which had
grown since his incarceration.
VAN LEAR BROS. will sell YOU
patent medicines at the lowest cut prices
for cash. They have them all.
GOES TO Mt. AIRY, N. G.
Rev. r. d. Haymore, who has been
pastor of large church in Chattanooga,
| Tenn, for some years, but who recently
accepted call to a church In Mt. Airy
| n. c., passed through the city yesterday
on his way TO Mt. Airy, where he enters
upon his new duties at once. DR.. Hay.
more is well-known in this city and sec
ton and has many warm friends.
VAN LEAR BROS. guarantee theil
special % cent tooth brushes. If TIE
bristles fall out get another one. See
their corner window.
HAS SECURED ~ POSITION.
rhos. T.. Kixer. who was at one time
deputy clerk in Col. Brooke's Office, lef
last night Or Richm ond where he has &C
cepted position under Superintendent
Helm of the State penitentiary. Hi
friends in this city and elsewhere will III
doubt be pleased TO hear of his success.
All pt rsons are hereby notified not t,
nay accounts due the Ideal Steam Laun
dry to any one except the undersigned.
EDWARD LYLE, Trustee
Is st
ALL PARTIES indebted to the Idea
Steam Laundry are hereby notified to pa,
all bills to II. S. Black. the same having
been assigned and transferred to hin
No other persons is authorized to collec
any claims due me.
j. w. STEBBENS.
Jan. II. 1898. l1Stf
1a - A-<... 49, 49, ~ - On