The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-06-16
DARING ESCAPE
OF FOUR CONNECTS
Were on Night Shift in Shaft
No. |, Frat Mines.
BROKE DOWN IRON GATE
And Walked Out Without Attracting
the Attention of the Guard-One
Charles Higgins, Serving Life
Sentence for Murder

-Four negro conviets employed on the
night shift in slope No. at Pratt mines
escaped early yesterday morning and are
still at large.
The escape was effected in most daring
manner, and required the exercise of con-
siderable strategy on the part of the ne
sroes, who evidently had their plans we'll
laid
Shaft No. 1, where the men were at work,
is in reality an extension of slope No. l,
which opens near the railroad office of the
Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad COM
pany, which owns and operates the mine.
Slope No. l is one OF the first openings
made at the mines, and after having been
driven about one mile into the earth and
the headings worked out on both sides, it
was decided to sink a shaft at the extreme
end of the slope. When convicts were put
in this part of the mine several years ago.
ON iron gateway was placed across the
main heading OF the slope a short distance
from the shaft, which was guarded during
the day. At the mouth of the slope
heavily barred gate was placed, and
guard kept constantly on watch. a.
Broke Open Iron Gate
The four negroes who escaped were taken
into the mines with the regular night shift,
and were placed at work near the shaft.
They were seen at II o'clock, but some time
later made their way to the slope, broke
open tho iron gateway with their picks and
reached the opening, where the heavy gate
w OH them and
liberty.
The negroes were evidently aware that
a guard was on duty and began work
very cautiously, and succeeded in opening
the gate without disturbing the guard, D.
l.. Hoffman, VINO reported that he knew
nothing of the occurrence.
The absence of the negroes was not no.
ticed until several hours later, when
bloodhounds were placed upon their trail.
Went Toward Blossburg
Just about daylight the fugitives passed
the house of Tom Crumley, four miles
northwest from the slope, where they
tried to secure a change of clothes. On
being refused they continued on their way,
going in the direction of Blossburg.
Officers were sent out in all directions.
and last night Superintendent Rogers, of
the Tennessee company, went out with
another posse, but up to a late hour had
not succeeded in capturing either of the
negroes.
Charles Higgins, one of the escapes, was
serving a life sentence for murder, and is
supposed to have originated the plan. The
Tennessee company has offered the Gus
tomary reward of $50 for the delivery of
either of the escapes, whose names and
descriptions are given below, at any jail
in the state:
Description of Escapes
Charles Higgins-Age about 30; height
about feet, II inches weight, about lio
pounds color, dark brown; teeth, good;
former residence, Bullock county. Had a
long, rough face and large nose. One long
and one short scar on right corner of left
eye; scar on left lower arm about half way
between wrist and elbow. Has life SEN
tence.
Will Hall, Lee County-Crime, burglary;
two years: Age, about 25; height, feet.
5 inches; weight, about 1876 pounds; color,
black; occupation, farm hand; former res
idence Opelika; relatives near Waverly,
Ala; has high forehead; long scar on the
scar in center of forehead; scar on left
hand, caused from cut; scar on right hip,
near bottock.
Marshall Smith-Age, 33; height feet,
inches; weight 100 pounds; color, black;
former residence, West Point, Ga. broad
face; rather large head; broad, fiat nose
and thick lips. Convicted in Chambers
county
Will Carriage, 26; height, feet 81
inches; weight, $50 pounds; color. black;
has long raised scar on right side of face;
scar on right side of forehead has small
head and mouth. Was convicted in Bullock
county for burglary and grand larceny.