The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-17
BREAK FOR FREEDOM.
COnvicts Attempt to Escape
From Prison at Lansing.

Leavenworth, Kan, Nov. 17.-One Of
the most daring and successful escapes
on record was made by three convicts
at the state penitentiary at Lansing.
yesterday afternoon. The dash for no
erty for one. at least was BRIEF. as he
fell with a bullet through his head from
Deputy Warden Thompson's revolver
before he could gain cover. The con-
victs, Sam Smith, under death sentence,
e. T. Estelle, and Ben Cravens. during
odd moments in the coal mine had FASH
ioned a dummy" revolver out Of wood,
covering the same with tin foil.
The guard at the bottom Of the pit
suddenly found himself looking into tho
muzzle of what he thought was a 30 call
ibre revolver, at the same time he was
commanded hands up" The guard was
compelled to give the signal to lift up
and ON reaching the top the Quartctte
passed the top guard unchallenged, the
one accompanying the convicts being
afraid to give the alarm. Getting out
side the enclosure Guard Hewctt was
overpove cred, his Winchester and amnu-
milton taken from him.
After passing another post, occupied
by Guard Murray, the ConViCts broke
and ran. Guard Swartz seized Murray'a
gun and began firing, the fire being re-
turned with such effect that Swartz
was severely wounded.
Deputy Warden Thompson was at
tracted by the shooting, and drawing
his revolver fired, shooting Smith I'm the
head, his wound being mortal A gem
cTat IuSlilaQe was olencut Muen AuuLNNI
convict was seen to fell. but his body
was drawn to cover by his cOmrade, who
entrenched himself in a ravine. The
place was surrounded. but owing TO the
misty night nothing other than an eN-
change Of shots was done.
ESTELLE ELUDES OFFICERS.
Ex-Chief of Police Ramsey. the man
who captured Il. r. Estelle IN Topeka,
received word at 10 o'clock today that
Estelle and his fellow convict had prob
ably escaped from the clump Of timber
in which they had been surrounded
STILL AT LARGE.
Kansas City, Nov. IA Star special
from Iseavenworth, kan, says.
Estelle and Cravens. tne convicts who
escaped from the state pcnitentiary
mine Yesterday afternoon after run
ming fight with guards, are still at
large. The men took shelter In the tim-
Der that surrounds the penitenuary ana
in the shots exchanged last evening be-
fore darkness made further pursuit Inn
possible, IL was believed that one Of the
convicts had been shot. Search at day
light, however, indicated that neither
Estelle nor Cravens was hit ana that
both have made their escape. Armed
mounted guards are today searching the
timber in ell directions. Sam Smith,
the convict shot by one OF the guards
during the break for liberty Is stlll alive,
but will likely die
tentiary from Sumner county in Feb
ruary, 1898, under years sentence FOR
grand larceny. he broke away from
outside guard in the following June,
stole a horse and rode to Butler county
where he took part in the robbery OF a
train and. killed a man. Smith was con-
victed of murder and brought back in
December 1893. under sentence OF death
CAUGHT IN A BARN.
Especial to the state Journal.l
Lansing, Nov. 17.-At 2 O'Clock this ar
ternoon j. 3. TomlinsOn. warden OF the
penitentiary. received word that the
barn in which Estelle and Craven, the
escaping convfcts had taken refuge, had
been set on fire and was, at that hour
burning fiercely.
The two convicts had not, however, at
that hour made their appearance but Il
was momentarily expected, at which
time they will be shot to death by the
posse, unless they surrender.
As the two convicts were well armed
it is not expected they will surrender
without a fight in which event the
guards and officers have been instruct
ed to show no quarter and to take no
chances
The men were pursued all night
through the woods and kept up con-
tinuOus exchange Of shots with the
posse. Early this morning the convicta
took refuge in a barn three miles west
of the prison. Later the barn was fired.
the result Of which has not yet been as
certained.
Deputy Warden W. A. Thompson. one
of the bravest officers in Kansas, heads
the posse.