The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-27
SHOT
THROUGH
BODY.
Deputy Sheriff Probably Fatally
Wounded by Prisoners Who
Escaped From JAIL

Woodstock. VT, April 2L-News was
received here this forenoon from
Stockbridge, a small town, seventeen
miles northwest OF Woodstock, TO the
effect that Deputy Sheriff G. w. HON.
man OF White River Junction had been
shot and dangerously wounded by
Frank Shaw and Dustin Shaw, two des-
perate men who escaped from the
Windsor county Jail here last Monday
night. sheriff Stafford and other depu-
ties are at the scene of the trouDie,
which Is in an isolated section, consIp-
erable distance from the railroad. The
Shaws We're serving a term - burglary
and illegally killing deer. the home Ct
the men ia at Stockbridge near where
the shooting occurred. Last Monday
night the two prisoners planned 10 ts-
cape. and after the other inmates had
retired. they wrenched the bars from
window which was about 1S feet from
the ground. They made "a rope OF their
bed clothing and by this means reached
the ground i'm safety.
The men succeeded in getting goou
start before the jailer and his assist
ants were aware OF the escape. Early
on the following morning the authori-
ties took the trail and endeaVored 10
apprehend the fugitives.
After making several Inquiries, IL was
learned that the Shaws passed through
the village of Barnard about O'Clock
that morning Barnard is 10 miles north
of here and is in the direction OF the
Shaw home town. II WAS also ascertain
cd that they called at the house OF
farmer named Hatch in Barnard Cen
tire and were given something to eat.
They said they had obtained bail ana
had been released pending trial. They
also told Mr.. Hatch they were bound
for Bellows Falls.
When the Shaws left Barnard they
took two rifles with them and were
last seen entering the woods which
lies TO the northwest of that place.
Sheriff stafford followed the trail 10
this point but was unable at the time
TO hear any further news of them. The
sheriff feeling thoroughly exhausted.
returned To Woodstock. Since then
several deputies have been on the look
out for the fugitives and yesterday the
sheriff took up the hunt. IL was de-
cided to keep a close watch in ghe
vicinity OF Stockbridge. and one of the
officers sent 10 that section was Deputy
Sheriff Hoffman of White River juno
tion. Last night High Sheriff Staf-'
ford and Deputy Sheriff Paul Pink
ham OF Rochester joined Hoffman at
Psttsheld. four miles from Stockbridge.
1t was decided TO go across South Hill.
bridge.
They got away at O'Clock this morn
ing. and on going out toward South
Hill they saw smoke in the woods Fol-
lowing trail in the direction whence
the smoke was seen, they came upon
the two fugitives, who were engaged
in cooking a rabbit which they had
shot Each was armed with a Win
chester.
The sheriff advanced and ordered rhe
men TO surrender. The latter immed-
lately opened fire with their guns to
which the officials replied with revol-
vers. Deputy Hoffman fell with a bull
let through the body. The desperadoes
retreated firing as they went and soon
disappeared in the woods, the officials
fearing to follow far. not knowing how
seriously their associate had been hurt.
They returned to the spot where Hoff-
man lay and found that he was in a
critical condition. He was made as
comfortable as possible on the spot and
one of his comrades returned to Pitts
field for aid. physician. who re-
sponded TO the summons found the bull
let had passed through Hoffman's abb
domen, causing wound which was
likely 70 cause death. After the exami-
nation the officers returned TO Pitts
field, and summoned assistance from
Rutland. Berlin and Woodstock, and
deputy sheriffs and other officials have
been started for Pittsfield. The hunt
for the Shaws will be resumed as soon
as possible.
A telephone message received at noon
said that the injured man was uncon-
scious and falling.
IL was thought inadvisable to move
the wounded deputy this forenoon and
he was cared for at the scene OF the
shooting. The fugitives are father and
son.