The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-01-18
ITEMS FROM
NEW CASTLE.
Correspondence of the REPUBLICAN,.
January IL, 1899.

Martin Christie. oolored. was trans.
ferred yesterday from cell 81 to cell No. ls
at the jail. The latter cell is the dungeon
where refractory prisoners are usually
placed. Usually such transfer does not
cause much coMinotion about the jail but
but before Christie occupied his new quar-
ters last night ho made record BY giving
chief Day Warden, Bowers a cross country
chase Of nearly ton miles that would have
done credit to the shyest reynard that
ever carried brush. Christie is under
$500 and $500 bait for appearance at. the
next term of court to answer two charges
OF larceny.
The chief warden allowed him to 20 to
the side yard yesterday afternoon to wash
his clothes. Tho warden saw that he and
another prisoner were working like bees
and stepped into the corridor to keep an
eye OH tho other prisoners. Hardly had he
done so when prisoner Informed him
that there was u plank against the side
wall. An Investigation revealed the fact
that Christie had used plank which had
boon used by the painters and had bid
goodbye to tho jail. Bowers crossed the
street and found the fellows marks in the
school green. He then went to Sheriff
Taylors stable and mounted ono of his
horses After IL ride of about mile he SAW
the cuIered fellow going at lively gaiS
along the road.
Tho tIopftHod he ri "a
he took to the folds. Then began u
chase royal. But the prisoner had long |
lead and had the best of the chase for the |
time. After going hot pace for quar-
ter Of an hour the warden struck snag in
the shape of barb wire fence. He was e.
quail to the occasion and tying his horse to
post started across large wheat field.
1t was a heavy track and the colored fel.
low threw of his gum boots. The warden |
is good sized man and was pretty we'll ex.
hausted when he reached the next green
field. The chase was continued but tho
prisoner was tricky and when the warden
reached the, road there wero NO signs
OIL. the prisoner.
Bowers secured his horse and started
once more in pursuit. After going u cOu-
pie of miles along the Christiana road he
failed to see or hear anything Of his man
and was about to turn back in disgust
when turning around in his saddle he saw
that the prisoner had doubled apd was
running like deer towards Hare's Corner
The chase was renewed and Christie was
ut the farm yard Of William
Stroup. Ths chase was an exciting one
and both men presented signs Of the cross
country run when they returned to New
Castle yesterday afternoon after an ab-
sence of three hours Christie says he had
the narrowest escape of his life.
IN going across the wheat fold on the :
stoops farm Bowers fred his revolver. The {
bullet struck so near 70 him that the water
,plashed about his face. Warden Bowers
was congratulated last evening over his
olucky chase and capture. Christie will
have somo. extra work IN cleaning the mud
,ff his clothes between now aud the ses- |
sion.
About week ago Joseph Gilkey left
here as cnbin boy on barge for New {
York. There were three barges in tow. !
While going around there was royal
lime. One barge was burned, another
broke loo.e from the tow and they :,
wore without food for nearly two days, i,
He will be able to give pointers to other {
New Castle boys when be returns homo.
Painters have bean at work beautif ying 2
be interior of the Jail. $
Tho river men at this place are heartily
n favor Of the proposed bill to pay re- 6
ward fer the recovery OF drowned men.