The San Francisco call., 1899-09-28

kept under such strict surveillance
that communication with one an
other was deemed an impOSsibility
have managed not only to perfect
the details of a clever conspiracy to es-
cape from their cells in the inCorrigfble
ward at San Quentin Prison, but estab-
lished cipher code used in conversation
that enabled them to talk over their
fiendish plans in the presence of the very
men they intended to murder without ex-
citing the least suspicion. If the scheme
Of these plOtters had been carried out
without a hitch. the floor of the old fac
tory building at the penitentiary would
have told the dark tale in crimson let
ters. Two guards were marked for the
hand Of the assassin at the outset, and
before the convicts ultimately regained
their freedom it is probable that eight
others would have been as ruthlessly
slain.
The first intimation the prison officials
had of the conspiracy came when the
prisoners made their first move, and the
fact that two of the ringleaders were in
straitjackets until yesterday is wholly
due to their fierce desire to escape caus-
ing them to overleap the bounds of eau
ton. When the details of the affair.
which were not entirely learned by War
den Aguirre and Captain of the Yard Ed
gar until several days after the attempted
break was made, are thoroughly under
stood it is extremely unlikely that hu-
manitarians will murmur any longer
against the incorrigible cell system.
The incorrigible cells are thirty in num-
Der and are situated on the upper floor
of the old factory building. They are in
two rows of fifteen each and are placed
back to back. In these are kept closely
confined nine of the most desperate and
intractable conyicts in the prison-George
Bullock, serving a life sentence for mur-
der; George w. Schlegal, undergoing a
life term for train wrecking; Edward Nor
rell, doing a life term for robbery; Alton
H. Gould, serving a long term for burg
larry, and Sir" Harry Westwood Cooper
doing three years time for uttering ficti-
tious checks. All these convicts were
placed in the incorrigible ward for being
concerned in the conspiracy to murder
guards and make their escape in last
March. Jacob Oppenheimer, serving a
life sentence for murder, followed them
there for stabbing Guard James McDon-
aid. Frank Hunter, doing fifteen years
time for burglary. followed Oppenheimer
TO solitary confinement for being caught
with a concealed weapon in his posses
sion. William Phelan, serving five years
for burglary, went up into the old build
ing for striking another prisoner with a
roller bobbin in the jute mill. Sing
Cheong, the last on the list, a Chinese
serving seven years for murder, under
went a similar fate for trying to kill one
of his countrymen as the result of a quar-
rel over the division of some opium.
This list of men confined in the incor-
rigible cells includes the worst characters
in San Quentin. Morrell is the man who
assisted SOntag (of Sontag and Evans
fame) to escape from Jail at Fresno, and
Hunter came near escaping during his first
term by digging hole through his cell
and the rear wall of the prison Gould
escaped last year, but was captured.
Sir Harry and Morrell are the rtnglead-
ers in the plot to escape this time, and
while the former declares that Open
heimer was also concerned in the plans
Warden Aguirre is so doubtful of the
truth of his statements that he has not
. seen fit to place Oppenheimer in a strait
jacket.
Last Saturday evening at supper time
when only Guard Barwell was on duty
was the time chosen for the break. It is
the custom for two men to be together
when q prisoner is let out of his cell for
exercise one standipg at each end of the
tier, while the convict walks up and down
between them. For this reason the plan
could be carried into execution only when
one of the guards was absent, and supper
time was chosen because then only one
relieving each other at meals.
While Barwel was pacing back and
forth Sir" Harry Cooper called him to
his cell door, and stood waiting for the
guard with his hands carelessly stuck
through the grating of his cell door.
Barwell walked close to the cell, when
quick as a flash, Cooper threw a stout
cord around his neck, jerked the guard S
head against the door and, throwing his
full weight upon the cord. attempted to
garrote him. AS the cord fell round his
neck Barwell threw his hand up and
caught hold of it, perhaps owing his life
TO the quickness of his action. Bracing
himself against the doorway, he exerted
all his strength and tore loose from the
murderous convicts clutches, carrying
the cord with him.
Warden Aguirre was Immediately noti-
fed, and he went to the cells, in COM
pany with Captain Edgar, and questioned
Cooper as to the meaning Of his conduct.
Not satisfied that he was hearing the
truth. the Warden ordered Cooper placed
in a straitjacket. At the end of a day the
prisoner begged for mercy, but was kept