The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-02
BIC JAIL DELIVERY
Bill" TaCkett Saws Through
Iron and Steel.
EIGHT CRIMINALS ESCAPE
Officers Hot on the Trail of
the Fugitives.

Eight prisoners escaped from the sedg-
wick county jail yesterday morning, as a
result of the clever, audacious and really
scientific work of Harry Tackett, one Of
the worst desperadoes in this section of
Kansas, and not until O'Clock did any
of the helpers or authorities abort the jail
know anything about the break for liberty.
Il IS the biggest jail delivery ever happen
ing IN this county, and the most cleverly
manipulated
Harry Tackett was not satisfied 10 es-
cape by himself. but assisted seven others
10 90 with him, and was offended because
everyone in his part of the jail would not
accept the chance for liberty. Those who
escaped are:
Harry Tackelt, from cell ).
Bill Rhodes from cell l.
James Murphy, from cell 8.
Harry Alley, from cell >
Fitz Simmons, from cell s.
James Robinson, from cell 4.
Albert Adams, from cell 8.
c. II. Howard, who escaped with the
party. returned to the jail about 8 O'Clock
and informed James Potts, the fireman,
about the occurrence. Mr.. Potts had just
begun to fire Up for the day. The two
then went up to Sheriff Simmons room
and Mr.. Potts called loudly for Simmons
saying, For Gods sake, hurry up, the
prisoners are escapingi"
Mr.. Simmons was not at home, and
Mrs. Simmons answered the call, and
Douglas Simmons, who had been awakened
by the call, hurriedly dressed himself. All
was excitement about the jail. Howard
helped about the work Of alarm, and Mrs.
Simmons ran across to notify Deputy Syl
Duncan, who soon had the plan Of search
mapped out. Sheriff Simmons arrived from
Topeka on the $40 train, and as soon as he
heard Of the occurrence he ordered cards
printed and sent deputies out in accordance
with the plans of Mr.. Duncan A reward
of $50 was offered for the capture of each
of the fugitives, and Mr.. Simmons after
ward raised the reward for Tackett to s100.
making a total reward Of 800 which he
is offering personally, and Will pay out of
his own pocket.
About Il o'clock Tuesday night Douglas
Simmons made his usual visit TO the office
Of the jail before retiring, and opened the
big iron door leading from the office into
in towards the rotary to see that every
thing was IN the usual order Soon after
this Harry Tackett began TO get out his
finely tempered Instruments and began the
work Of escape. He poured acid on the big
iron bars, locks and bolts and began the
tedious work of saving through to liberty
He first sawed into the rivet holding the
large lever that is used to operate the
rotary, thus freeing the rotary. Then he
sawed the lock of his cell. then a bolt at
the bottom of the cage whereby he
loosened the brace to the sliding door of
his cell. He could then get out of his cell
and get away, but ne wanted to do more.
There were others in the jail who proba-
bly, wanted liberty as well as himself, so he
was nervy enough to work longer IN their
behalf. He then stepped across TO the
east side Of the cage and sawed a large 4
lock off Of the rotary brake. This al
lowed the big revolving case to he moved
at will, and the inmates Of the cell began
TO turn II cog by cog. Harry Tackett was
working like A tiger, for he S1ew the value
Of time in such an undertaking. He walked
around the rotary and told every one 10
get ready to escape. The click OF tie
rotary made a loud noise, which alarmed
the criminals. but they kept turning. and
after a while Tackett got more brave and |
told the boys 10 make the thing sing"
After all who desired 10 so, got into the |
rage, work vas begun on the bars of the |
west window. and they were soon sawed |
In two. A big board had been taken from |
the bath room with which to pry the bars |
open. but this method was too slow for |
Tackett, and he grabbed the bars with his |
hands and bent them. So desperately had !
be worked that he was blowing and puff |
Ing Ike a prize fighter and was wet with |
perspiration He was the acknowledged |
leader and hero Of the gang and his orders |
10 his comrades were imperative and were /
obeyed with dex,erity.
After getting outside the jail. the crowd |
separated hurriedly without consultation |
The cold wintry night did not discourage /
any OF them. although all were thirly |
dressed and unused TO the cold. Tackett |
and Rhodes went OF IN a westerly direc- /
ton and when last seen were together /
Fitz Simmons struck out by himself and /
went north through the alley, near which !
he tried 10 escape after killing Tom Miller. /
The others Of the gang took different d.
rectiOns, no two keeping together
The conduct Of &. Ii. Howard. VINO first |
broke the news of the wholesale escape,
IS worthy Of a good word, though he is
under sentence 10 the penitentiary for
stealing. He took the opportunity given
him by Tackett to get out of jail, but he
never intended TO run away. He wanted
10 see his wife and child. and consequent
~ went 10 his home 1t 624 East Central
and remained with them about half an
hour. when he returned and save the
alarm. Il would have given the alarm
sooner" said Howard. but I knew it
would not do. FOR the boys would have
done me up. Tackett was very threaten
ing in mis- attitude TO ali Of us. and as he
had a gun We knew he had 10 Do listened
20. When I got out l knew 1 would have
- go somewhere in order to make them
believe that I wanted TO get away. Tack
EFT was very particular In see thar We all
scattered, and that nothing was done TO