Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-11-26
A CoIored Prisoner Makes a Bold
Dash for Liberty
AND ATTEMPTS SUICIDE
FoiIed In Attempt 20 Take l.ifo of {.
Indy, uo Sends II Buiiot Into HI.
own Brain-Dcath orn ChiId-New
oystor Survey Desired-MarrIago
Licenses Issued -Personal Notes.
Especial to Yirglnian-pilo

Especial to Virginian-Pilot.)
Suffolk, Va, Nov. 25.-Failing in bold
attempt at Jail delivery e. Peterson,
alias Willie Jones, alias Buck Smith
tried to shoot Mrs. Wilson Norfeet, q
sister-in-law of Deputy Robert e. Nor
| fleet. and then fired bullet into his
own head. His condition is critical.
Peterson Is a negro, aged about %
years.
1t was the most daringly planned de-
livery every attempted in this section
f'lourishing 32-caliber pistol Peterson
began the execution of his scheme with
the power of young giant and the des-
peration Of n maniac. He had done
everything necessary to make free men
| out of all the Jail birds except to get
through the outer wall door. There
Mrs. Norfleet foiled him and her he
wanted to kill before he shot himself
into eternity.
THE CONCEALED PISTOL.
| When Hurricane Branch arrested Pc.
terson last night he was searched, but
the detective failed to find an ugly
looking gun of 32-bore. That had been
hidden by Peterson in his coat lining
and he forgot to remind the detective
of his oversight. That was his one key
to liberty and he kept it.
Peterson was picked I'D down the
Steyer Station way. He was accused
or housebrealeing and larceny.
THE DASH FOR LIBERTY.
Peterson was locked up. He seemed
a model prisoner. This afternoon at I
O'Clock when Deputy Norfleet was away
from the jail Peterson began his opera
lions with courage begotten by des-
peration. He lis a stout, powerful built
| man of low stature.
Flourishing the gun in desperate
fashion Peterson swooped down OH jim
Jones. the colored turnkey, and de-
manded the keys. Jones refused and
hesitated and finally yielded. He was
scared. He was looking down a cylin-
der of steel held by man whose finger
was on the trigger. The pistol was
| snapped three times before Jones hand
ed over the keys. 1t failed to fire.
REMEMBERED FELLOW-INMATES
Peterson unlocked the cell doors
| which held his fellow prisoners inside
the prison building. There was now
only one barrier between them and sky
lght: 1T was the outer door Of the sur
rounding wall, which opens from Mrs.
Norileets sitting room. Peterson
shouted to Mrs. Norf1eet that the turn
Key wanted to see her, thinking to get
the door unbolted by strategy Mrs
Norileet was too shrewd. Failing in
this Peterson looked through the low
window on Mrs. Norneet and demand
cd that the door should open There
was gun In his hand and murder on
his face. Mrs. Norfleet lodged and
saved her life.
THE SUICIDAL SHOT.
A few seconds later a single sharp
report echoed through the prison walls.
rushed inside and found Peterson lying
on his back in pool OF blood. He was
breathing hard. Blood oozcd from
hole in the right temple near the eye.
Jail Physician William w. Murray was
summoned hurriedly.
1T MADE HIM THIRSTY.
Peterson rolled his eyes and capped
at the crowd. He begged feebly for
whiskey; he begged for cigarettes in
the name OF dying man: He said he
was going. Somebody rolled him a CT
garette and placed 1t between his
bloody, swollen lips. He tried to smoke
and blew out 81 few sickly curls. Pc
terson couldn't talk enough to tell hie
name Understandings.
SUICIDE PREMEDITATED.
Finally he grapplcd inside n coat
pocket and found an old notebook. He
tore out Il leaf and handed il to the
| NtTSiHian- Hllol representative and
mumbled unintelligibly. He was too
weak to talk. The note had been writ
| ten before the dash was started 1t
| was supposed to be a last message to
loved ones. 1t was addressed Jail
| keeper" and barring spelling read this
| way:
THE DEATH NOTE.
Please send my mother word that I
have killed myself. ! want to be bur-
led home. Good mother and sister
and brother, dear girl, goodbye. for I
am going home to rest Margaret.
please meet me In heaven. My dear
mother lives"
At the foot of the note was written
an address presumed to be his mothers.
1t was Adline Smith, 100 Columbia
street. Portsmouth. Va On the reverse
side &c. Peterson" is written twice.
The name which appears in the warrant
| of arrest is William Jones.
| At 10 o'clock Peterson was living. DR..
Murray did not locate the bullet. It's in
| the head.
THE THIRD DEATH.
Job Lee. the Syear-old son of Mr..
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