The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-27
BOLD ATTEMPT At RESCUE.
NEARLY SUCCESSFUL PLAN To ne
LEASE PENNsYLvANIA CONVICT.
Accomplices Dug = Tunnel Owed 200
Feet I'm Length, hut Became
Frightened and Left on Work
Very Expensive Undertaking.

PITTSBURG. Pa, July 2s-One of the
boldest and most systematic plans for the
release OF one or more prisoners from
Riverside penitentiary was thwarted to-
day by accident. The first theory adj
vanced when the matter was discovered
seemed TO point to the release OF Alexan-
der Berkman, the anarchist. who is serv-
Ing twenty-five years sentence for the
shooting of III. c. Prick during the big
homestead strike In 1899. but the conclu-
sion reached tonight by Director Muth.
of the Allegheny police department, is
that the real object of the rescuers was
to secure the freedom OF the real estate
swindler. J. c. Boyd. who Is serving
seven years sentence in the penitentiary.
This opinion is shared by the Pittsburg
police officials also. and many reasons are
brought forward to confirm the theory.
Among these IL the fact that Boyd Is
wanted in nearly every state in the
Union on charges Of real estate swfndles.
He has confedcrates all over the country
and is accounted one OF the weaithiest
prisoners In Riverside
1t 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 Boyd's confederates.
Dug u Long Tunnel.
The plan By which the rescuers hoped
TO reach the inside Of the penitentiary
wall was by a TUNE, from the cellar OF
a house on Sterling street, nearly oppoT
lite one OF the gates. Their work Is re-
200 feet long. but because of Its zig-xaB
character hod not reached the prison wan
One OF the officers who crawled dis
tance OF 30l feet In the dark passageway
today. was compelled to return before
reaching its end, by reason of the foul
gases arising. From this II Il inferred
that the tunnel had tapped sewer. Dtrec,
tor Muth, however, believes that the dead
body OF one OF the tunnelers Will be dis
covered tomorrow when the tunnel Is
opened from the surface He thinks the
mat was overcome by gas and that his
companions fed.
The elaborate arrangements which had
been made for completing the tunnel and
for providing for the safety OF the dig
gers is source OF amazement 70 the au-
thorities. An electric bell, connected with
the entrance OF the tunnel In the cehar,
was used In giving workers and watchers
an instant's warning. and an air pump
from gas II IL estimated that the electric
plant and other apparatus used cost the
would-be liberators at least 5000.
How II Was Done.
On March rs last. Thomas Brown. who
represented himself as Chicago solicitor,
purchased from John q. Langfitt. who IL
an engineer in the penitentiary. the house
at Is Sterling street. for 1900, paying $50
down. and agreeing to pay the balance In
instaIlmenis. Soon nfterward Brown. a
woman who he said was his wife, and his
brother-in-law, moved into the house. and
operations were probably begun at once.
The Misses Mccarthy. who lived just OPP
posite the house. had their suspicious
aroused because OF the small quantity OF
furniture going into the supposed home
OF the new family, and by the fact that
the principal article taken In was
plano.
During the occupancy of the house the
shades were always down. but the plano
was rarely silent. Mrs. Brown played
and sang almost constantly. During the
intervals, when there was no music, the
Misses Mccarthy heard a grinding. whir-
ring noise. which gave them the Empress
sion that the Browns were always grind
ing coffee. They called the attention OF
the police to the place, but no charges
could be made against the occupants, The
Browns left tee house on the night OF
July s. leaving word for Mr.. Langfitt
that they were going to New York. but
would return on July "A to pay the first
instalment on the house. Their failure
10 return led to an investigation by Mr..
Langfitt, with the result. given above.
The story IL that the Browns were fright
ened away, because all of the apparatus
was found In the house with the excep-
ton OF the digging tools. which Direct
or Muth thinks are In the tunnel with
the body OF the digger.