The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-27
HUMAN MOLES
Attempt to Burrow Their Way Into
Riverside Penitentiary at Pittsburg.

Pittsburg. Pa. July 27.-One of the
boldest and most systematic plans for
the release OF one or more prisoners
from Riverside penitentiary was
thwarted by accident The first theory ad-
vanced when the matter was discovered
seemed to point to the release of Alex
ander Berkman. the anarchist. who is
serving q % years sentence for the
shooting of H c. Prick. during the big
Homestead strike in 1882; but the con-
clusiOn reached by Director Muth, Of the
Allegheny police department is that the
real object of the rescusTs was to secure
the freedom of the notorious real estate
swindler. ]. c. Boyd, who is serving a
seven years sentence in the penitentiary
for his nisdeeds This opinion is shared
by the PittsbUrg police officials also. and
many reasons are brought forward TO
confirm the theory Among these are the
fact that Boyd is wanted in nearly ev-
cry state in the Union on charges OF
real estate swindung, has confederates
all over the country and is accounted
one OF the wealthiest prisoners in River
side It is argued that Berkman's friends
could not afford the expensive outfit
which was used in this instance and
their resources could not possibly equal
those Of Royd's confederateS
The plan by which the rescuers hoped
to reach the inside of the penitentiary
was by tunnelIing from the cellar OF a
house on Sterling street. Their work is
remarka bic considering the obstacles to
be overcome. Investigation showed that
IL was over 200 feet long. but because Of
its zigzag character had not reached the
crawled distance OF POI feet in the dark
pasSageway was compelled 10 return be-
fore reaching its end. by reason of the
foul gases arising
From this it is inferred that the tun-
mel had tapped sewer Director Muth.
however. believes that the dead body Of
one of the tunnelers will be discovered
when the tunnel IS opened from the sur
face He thinks the man was overcome
by gases.
The elaborate plans that had been
made for the completion of the tunnel
and for providing for the safety of the
diggerS is a source of amazement to the
authorities An electric bell. connected
with the entrance Of the tunnel in the
cellar. was used in giving the workers
and watchers an instant signal in case Of
alarm and an air pump had been used
to keep the tunnel free from gas 1t is
estimated that the electric plant and
other apparatus used cost the would be
HOeT1ators at least 81
On March Is last. Thomas Brown. who
represented himself Chicago solicit
tor. purchased from John C Langfitt
who is an engineer in the penitentfary.
the mouse at Is Sterling street for 81. OG0
paying $3.50 down and agreeing to pay
the balance in installments. Soon af-
terWard Brown. a woman whom he said
was his wife, and his brother-fn- Ia W.
moved into the house and opera tons
were probably begun at once The Misses
Letitia and Jennie Mccarthy. who lived
just opposite the house. had their sus-
picions aroused because of the small
quantity Of furniture going into the sup
posed home of the new family. and by
the fact that the principal article taken
in was a piano During the occupancy
of the house the shades were ALWAYS
down, but the piano was rarely silent.
Mrs Brown played and sang almost
constantly During the intervals when
there was no music the Misses Nc
Carthy heard a grinding. whirrinz noise.
which gave them the impression that the
Browns were always grinding coffee
Their suspicious Of crookedneSs were
confirmed when they saw a load Of GAL
vanized pipe and load of lumber taken
into the house. They called the q ten
ton Of the police to the place. but no
charge could be made against the .occu-
pants The Browns left the house on the
night OF July ). leaving word for Mr..
Iandhtt that they were going to New
York but would return on July "A to paw
the first instaIlrnent on the house. Their
Failure TO return led to an fnvestfga ton
by Mr. Langdtt with the result given
above The theory is that the Browns
were frightened away. because all of the.
apparatus was found in the house vii r
the exception OF the digging tools. which
Director Muth thinks are in the tunnel
with the body Of the digger.