The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-29
Collins and Parker Try to Escape
From County Jail.
ATTEMPT TO ATTACK JAILsR.
Resist Their Keepers While Beiax
lroned-saws and Gas Pipe Found
In Their Cells-Remnnnts OF
BIanck's Dummy Gun 'Unearthed
From a -to-Hand Com
Mfct for Time Seemed Inevitabie.

John Collins and Kid Parker, who are
confined in the county Jail on charge OF
bank robbery yesterday demonstrated 70
the officials OF that institution that their
supposed regulations for being desperate
and daring characters were not Ill round
ed.
During the course Of a shakedown, such
as the occupants Of the county pasuie
are periodically subjected TO, the aiiegeo
bank robbers We're not only detected IN
well-laid plan to break jail, but alter
their schemes were discovered they de-
fed the officers Of the law. and Tor time
II looked as IL hand-to-hand connict
between the two men and their keepers
was inevitable
The shalxedown incidentally set at rest
for all time the mooted question as to
how the notorious Tom Blantk obtained
the dummy gun which he used with sucn
telling effect in his general jail delivery,
while under the keeping OF Jailer jerry
Yerberry.
For some time the officials OF the sher-
hrs office have been cognizant OF the
fact that something unusual was on foot
In the Jail below, and they have taken ev-
cry precaution to circumvent the develop
ments which, 1t transpired yesterday.
were In process of formulation. Ever
since Collins and Parker have been con-
fined in the Jail. they have been looked
cordingly. Collins sensational attempt to
escape from a moving train while neirg
conveyed to this city from California,
whence he had flown. fully impressed his
keepers with the necessity for his careful
watt hing.
After a thorough examination Of the
tail. In which three finely tempered spring
saws. knife blade hacked for saving
purposes, a loaded billy and a piece OF
gasp.pe in the cells OF Collins and Parker
We're unearthed. the two men We're taken
into the jailer's private office and shack
eled with leg irons 1t was while this
part OF the operation was going on that
the desperate character Of the men way
demonstrated.
his alleged partner in crime was being
subjected to the same ordeal, he said:
kid, l won't stand for this-if you will
stand by me we will make a warm house
OF this place right now
No sooner had the words left his lips
than the desperate man made grab for
the section of gaspipe which had been
taken from his cell, and which happened
to be lying upon the iailer's table, near
where he stood. But his move was frus-
trated by quick acton on the part OF the
Jail officials. and with the remark, THE
Jig Il up he calmly submitted, and was
conveyed to his cell in the north tank.
The discovery of the remnants of what
there seems little doubt we're once a part
made in a peculiar manner. The jailers
were tapping the vent.latirg pipe which
runs through the north tank, in order to
ascertain II 1t gave evidences of being
loaded" with anything but pure air,
when twelve little packages fell from Its
interior to the floor beneath. Upon exam
inAtion It was discovered that. each pack
age contained a collection Of white pine
shavfngs which is the same wood out Of
which the dummy gun was made.
The drappers were portions OF the Post
Intellgencer OF dates Immediately proceed
Ing March IL. 1895. the date OF the Blanck
iaI delivery The pieces of paper were
stained with age. and were taken by
those familiar with the controversy as
to whether Blancl was Supplied with the
dummy weapon from outside sources or
.made II within the confines of his cell as
conclusive proof that the latter contention
Is the correct one.