The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-04
.HOUSEBREAKER
CHARLES |. I: DAVIS
Makes a Desperate At
temp. to Break Jail
CAUGHT in THE ACT.
Broke Through the Crumb|ing Ceiling
of His Cell.
WITH SHACKLES ON HIS ANKLES.
Would Probably Have Made His
Escape from the Old Prison but
for Prompt Action Oh the
Part of the Guards and
Deputies Details
of the Attempt
WITH SHACKLES ON HIS ANKLES.

Charles Davis, the housebreaker and
burgler. who has been confined in the city
Jail for about two weeks. pending trial
for breaking into a number OF business
houses, made desperate attempt to brenk
Jail last night, and but for prompt ac-
ton on the part of the guards and sew
eral Of his fellow prisoners he would
probably have succeeded.
Davis was placed in his cell, one of the
most secure in the old, broken down pris-
on. ON the second floor, and on the inside
He wns shackled, as he has been since 1t
became known that he was such a des-
perate character.
All seemed well in the cell on the early
rounds of the turnkey, until at 7:40 O'Clock
when the guard made his rounds.
MADE THE DISCOVERY.
He looked into the cell and observed on
the floor an object that in some respects
resembled a human figure, but its outlines
were unnatural. He showed his light
nearer und saw a lot Of plaster on the
floor in the extreme corner near the Win
dow that opened into the inner court.
His heart beat faster and he opened the
door and hastily examined the mass on
the floor. This turned out to be the cell
bucket and the blanket, rolled SO as TO
give some natural sembance to u human
figure, and in the ceiling he found a
large hole made by Davis by climbing up
the bars in the window.
The alarm was at once given py the
guard, and Deputy Taylor, who was on
duty summoned Sergeant smith me
Chief Of Police was notified and the vari-
Ole stotion-hOuSeS were called I'd and put
on the alert.
Then a force was organized of the
guards, the TRUSTEES and one or two pris-
oners who could be depended upon. a
large hole was knocked in the ceiling and
a numoer Of men were sent upon the roof.
Several men volunteered to get up into
the hole md crawl over under the tin
roof to search for the missing man. The
alleged bunco man, Lowery, was one OF
the latter, and he worked hard.
EXCITEMENT REFINED.
AL the time the greatest excitement
reigned among those in the jail. The
news that Davis hid escaped spread rap
idly, and strange as it may seem, all the
prisoners appeared anxious to help re-
capture him.
For an hour the men under the roof
worked In dust and lime, and finally
Davis was located crouched away back
in the farthest corner. When found he
made no resistance but cnrne down all
cowed nnd d;sheartened, and covered with
SCOT so that he resembled darkey or a
chimney sweep.
He was carried into the office for awhile.
Detective Gibson was standing near him.
You can't blame me for trying to get
away" he said to the Detective.
mo; 1 admire your nerve he said
MADE MORE SECURE.
Davis was then placed in the most Sc
cure cell in the jail, that in which muir
derers are usually kept He refused to
talk, but lapsed into stolid indifference.
He was indicted by the grand jury yes
terday, and it is probable that he will De
tried to-duy in the Hastings Court SO that
he can be taken away from the insecure
building that Is a bad excuse for JAIL
1t is. a question whether he could nave
made good his escape even had he gotten
on the roof or into the street. for he car
ried heavy shackles on his ankles.
He is desperate man. SAD Detec-
tive Wren, "and the sooner they get him
away from this place the better it will De
for the community. ;,
Bv $50 O'Clock everything at the jail
had assumed its normal condition.