The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-06
JU.DG WITT HAS
Men SU.SIP ENDED
Guards TO Rest While Investigation is
Going On.
OEPUTY-sERGEANT's VERSION.
He Does Not Think Watchers to
Biamc-Thoy Could Not See
All That Was
Happening.


relating to the escape Of Joseph Rapley,
alias Topeka joe the bank ropber who
so mysteriously and easily made his exit
from the city jail last Monday morning.
This is TO be done at the instance of Depu-
ty Sergeant c. NJ. Johnston. who is acting
Sergeant in the absence OF Mr.. j. c.. Smith,
who is in Boston on personal business. Mr..
Johnston sent letter to Judge Witt, of
the Hastings Court, yesterday, suggesting
the suspension Of Deputy Sergeant j. q.
Taylor and Guards William Connors and
Nj. J. Roach, who Were on duty at the jail
at the time Topeka Joe" did his little
turn and skipped to parts yet unknown to
the police authorities. Judge Witt prompt
ly issued an order suspending the men.
Deputy Sergeant Johnston said last night
that his course in asking that Messrs.
Taylor, Roach and Connors be suspended
had not been prompted by no suspicion on
his part that either of them in any way
aided the sleek kansan to get away, or had
any guilty knowledge of the manner in
which he escaped
II would almost stake my life that these
men did nothing to aid Joe in getting OUT
declared Deputy Johnston. 1.-The guards,
Messrs Roach and Connors, may have
done wrong in staying up on the landings
as long as they did, after they made their
9 o'clock round last Monday morning; but
It was an awfully hot night, and they said
it was almost sufoca ting down In the
yard, where one of the guards IS supposed
to be all the time.
Mr.. Johnston went on to explain that at
the time Topeka joe gave them the
slip Deputy Sergeant Taylor was taking
little nap in the room adjoining the jail
offices, Mr.. Connors was sitting near the
office door on the balcony and Mr. Roach
occupied a chair on the landing in front OF
the woman's department. which is on the
north side of the jail, second story. This
being the case, a high brick wall was be-
tween the guards and the prison proper,and
there no point inside the Jail yard could be
seen by either of the guards
Mr. Johnston's statements concerning the
whereabouts of the Deputy Sergeant ana
the two guards were corro5orated by the
latter, who declared that they heafd no
unusual noises about the Jail on the night
Of the escape, and had no idea but taat
..Joe,, was in his cell, until when they,
while making their 3 O'Clock round, found
his cell door open and q wooden key IN lie
lock The balance of the story IS olo.
THE POST WAS UNGUARDEO.
Deputy Sergeant Johnston said that MI.
Corners place was in the JAN yafu pc
low. where he could keep All eye on the
areas on both sides OF the prison. tiiousn
he had not been given definite instructions
structions given out We're that one OIL Tue
guards must be there at all times.
Eeinc asked who handled the keys to
the cells. Deputy Johnston said no one
but the turnkey and the yard-ooss hao
charge of them.
..W-ho is the yard-boss?'' the deputy was
asked.
..He is one of the prisoners who has
sort of supervision over the other prisoners
1r>sh %
A,uan,' responded Deputy Sergeant
.si;snstcsn. .Tha yardahoss, he added,
sis only allowed to have the keys to turn
some prisoner out, or TO lock up one
occasionally
DO you think ii possible for Topeka
Joe" to have gotten the key to his ceil
long enough from the yard-boss to have
mad an impression from or diagram OF 1t
Il do not replied Mr.. Johnston
GLOW, then. could Joe have made Key
unless, he had one to go by or to make
mould or a drawing by?s
s.He could have made a key. l guess,
by inserting something in the lock and
seeing the dents or marks made upon 1t
bv the tun,blers. Other prisoners nave
made keys and gotten out of this very
Jail lust as Joe Rapley did It's no new
business I am greatly worried over the
escaOe of Joe but do not. believe any OF
the iail officers are to be blamed tor 1t.
ORDER OF SUSPENSION.
The following is Deputy-Sergeant John
stons letter to Judge Witt regarding the
matter and the order of the Court making
the suspensions:
Richmond. Va, Sept. 5. 1900
Hon. S. B. Witt, Judge Hastings Court,
City:
Dear Sir,-I ask that you have all officers
who. were on duty at the city jail on the
night Of the ID Of September. at the time
Of the escape of one Joseph Rapley, alias
Topeka Joe. suspended until Mr. Smith re-
turns to the city when he can assist you
in a thorough investigation, in the mat
ter. Respectfully,
c. NJ JOHNSTON.
Deputy Sergeant in charge of city Jail.