The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-06
LUCKY JIM! MANY ENVY HIN
ALLEGED BANK THIEF MAKES
HIS ESCAPE

Prisoner Is Permitted to Escape,
Almost ON the Eve of His Depart
ure to Wisconsin to Stand Trial.
cleverly executed ruse gave James
Sheran his liberty from the central po-
lice station last evening shortly before
he was to have been taken to West
Superior to stand trial for safe bur-
glary, alleged to have been committed
by him, in company with Paul Davis
three weeks ago.
By false telephone message Sher-
ans friends cleared the way at the sta
ton by sending Capt. Rouleau and the
goose chase, and with only Jailer Min
er In charge of the station he being
obliged to remain down stairs, Sheran
unlocked his cell with a key, presum-
ably furnished by some Of the frequent
visitors he has had while lying in JAIL
and made good his escape through a
second STORY window.
Sheran had been in custody for
twelve days, having been arrested by
Detective Werrick upon the identifica-
ton of the bartender of the saloon
Which was robbed In West Superior. He
refused to return to West Superior
without requisition papers, and for
nearly two weeks, through an attor-
ney, had been trying to circumvent
Deputy Sheriff Rice, who has been in
the city with papers from the governor
of Wisconsin.
Saturday afternoon Gov. Clough
granted warrant of removal in
Shefan's case, and arrangements were
made by the West Superior sheriff to
take his prisoner back last evening.
1t was generally conceded that there
cyfv
west Superior, and when the prison.
er's friends learned that requisition
papers had been granted, it was given
out cold that he should not go back
Sheran occupied cell No. /, fronting
on Third street, on the second floor Of
the Jail. He has been allowed to re-
ceive his friends without question as to
number. or character since his arrest.
That his escape was assisted by par
ties on the outside there seems little
doubt, as Sheran was deprived of every
article in his possession when arrested,
and, 1T is said, could not have fash
toned key to the cell door himself.
The police believe that some one Of
his friends took an impression of the
cell lock and had key made, which
was turned over to the prisoner. Once
out of the cells, child could escape
from the station, as there are two I'M
barred windows in the rear from which
short drop would land the fugitive
on the ground without injury or access
could be had to the stable by a run
way leading from one of the windows
and escape made easy by passing down
the lett stairs into the alley in the rear
AT about 9:05 last evening, as near as
those at the station could recall the
time, John Melrose, who the police
say has frequently called upon She
ran, presented himself at the station
and asked to see the prisoner Having
no orders to the contrary, Capt Rou-
Ieau allowed Melrose to go up stairs,
but sent Jailer Minor with him. Melrose
the police say, chatted few minutes
with Sheran and then left the station
At just thirteen minutes after 9
O'Clock the plans for Sheran's ESCAPE
were put in operation. Capt Rouleau
received sudden summons to the tele-
phone. A womans voice informed him
that burglars We're In the house of Reu-
ben Warner, 17S West College avenue.
ana that help was needed instantly.
Ihe voice further informed Can't. Roll-
leau that a policeman was on guard at
Mr., warmers home with the burglars
corralled inside, but that the lone, po-l
ltceman could do nothing without aid.
Capt Rouleau is under orders to an
sWer such emergency calls in person.
and Immediately called out the patrol
wagon, instructing the driver to get to
the Warner home at break-neck speed +
leaving the station with only Jailer
Miner In charge and the stable vacant.
Ihls was Sheran's opportunity. He
easily heard the hurried orders down
stairs and he knew the coast was clear.
With the ease Of an infant opening a
toy bank he turned his private" kew
In his cell door and stepped out into
the corridor, probably in his stocking
rect. There were other prisoners in the
d1fferent cells who must have seen
'Sheran, but none sounded the alarm.
A rev noiseless strides took Sheran to
the door of the corridor, which is never
locked, and from here around through
narrow hallway into the room where
the electric batteries and parapher-
MALTA of the telegraph system are kept
was an easy Journey to the unbarred
windows. The night operator was at
his desk in the front part of this room.
but as a partition reaching to the CELL
Ing makes practically two separate
rooms, he saw nothing of the escaping
prisoner.
Instead Of risking a drop to the AL
ley Sheran crossed the runway to the
stable and entering the loft door pro-
ceeded down stairs and to more as
sured freedom. Somewhere in the vi
cinity, the police say. some of Sheran's
friends were undoubtedly Tn waiting
with carriage, in which he was con-
veyed either outside the city or to some
place where he can remain in hiding
until the hunt for him is given up.
While Sheran was effecting his
escape, Capt. Rouleau was racing like
the wind to the Warner home Within
a few minutes the patrol wagon drew
up in front Of the house and inquiry
was made Of Mr.. Warner as to the
whereabouts of the burglars. Mr.. War
ner Informed Capt. Rouleau that there
had been no burglar call from his
home, and after searching about the
premises for ten minutes the captain
returned to the station.
When Capt. Rouleau got back to the
station Jailer Miner went up stairs to
take a look at Sheran. He found the
cell empty and communicated the fact
to the captain. Then the fact that he
had been duped dawned upon Capt.
Rouleau, and he made haste to notify
the substations and the Minneapolis au
thorities to keep a lookout for the
fugitive. Every member of the detec-
tive force was at once summoned to
the station and started out on a hunt
for the escaped prisoner, but up to an
early hour this morning no trace Of
Sheran had been found.
The prisoners escape was taken as
something Of joke in certain quar-
tiers, where 1t was remarked as passing
strange that so easy a getaway could
be effected unless some Of the higher
police officials were willing Sheran
should regain his liberty. Sheran is a
st. Paul boy having been born and rails
ed here, and Detective Werrick is said
to have been called down hard for ar
resting him for outside parties in the
first place. 1t was hoped by some peo-
pie, it Is said, that Sheran would beat