New-York tribune., 1901-11-11
CONVICTS HOLD SHERIFF
HE AND A DEPUTY PRISONERS IN A
FARMHOUSE-POLIC HAVE TO
LET CONvICTS ESCAPE.

Topeka, Kan. Nov. 1O.-sherfff Cook and Dep
uty Sheriff Williams, of this county. were capt
ured by two escaped convicts from the Fort
Leavenworth military prison this afternoon at
Pauline, five miles south of Topeka, and held
prisoners in the farmhouse of man named
Wooster for several hours The convicts finally
escaped between line of police sent from To-
peka to reinforce the sheriff and are at
large Both slightly wounded. Wooster
was badly wounded by one of the convcts when
he tried to fire on them. Mrs. Wooster and
Sheriff Cook held before the convicts as a
shield by the prisoners in making their escape
posse is in pursuit tonight.
AT 2:30 o'clock this afternoon some farmer
boys Pauline learned that the convicts
were in the neighborhood. Hastily forming
posse, armed with target rifles, pistols and
clubs. they gave chase Neither of the convicts
was armed, and they were unable to make
stand. Later Sheriff Cook and Deputy Will
Jams arrived Coming upon the convicts both
officers fired. wounding the men, but not dis
abling them.
The convicts then fed through a small open
ing in the timber and into the house of
Wooster. Sheriff Cook telephoned to Topeka
for assistance and then took up the chase
Thinking the convicts had run around the
house. Cook darted through the open door, in
tending to surprise them at the rear door. But
instead of this the convicts had gone into the
house. and the officer almost fell into their
arms.
Sheriff Cook was ordered to give up his gun
which he did. Deputy Williams by this time
had reached the house and entered, without
knowing what had happened inside and he.
too. made captive by the convicts-
In the mean time, Chief Stahl of Topeka. and
eight officers. their way. They arrived
of,a ba
officers had been imprisoned. Chief Stahl i'm
mediately began negotiations with the convicts
to give up their prisoners and to surrender them
selves. but the convicts only laughed. wooster
then managed to get a gun. and about to
make attack the convcts, when one OF
them laid him low with blow from the butt OF
a revolver taken from one of their captives-
The convict broke Wooster's right hand, and
made ugly cash in his head.
One of the convcts told Sheriff Cook that he
would be killed if he made the slightest move
looking toward their capture. In the mean time
the police officers on the outside had surrounded
the building but were afraid to make move
for fear that Cook and Williams would suffer.
Mrs. Wooster had tainted in the excitement.
She finally revived, and { o'clock the con-
victs placed the woman and Sheriff Cook in
front Of them shields and made for the door
Then, after eXacting a promise from the
Sheriff that he would not permit any OF the
officers outside to fire them, they started for
the open.
As they left the house, the frightened farmer.
his wife and the submissive Sheriff before them.
the convicts passed between a Gordon OF police.
who easily could have captured them, and start
ed for the railroad track The Sheriff in turn
had exacted promise from the police that
they would not moest the convicts. and they
did not
After covering a considerable distance down
the track the convicts suddenly disappeared
through a hedge fence. bidding the officers n
mocking farewell. one of the police sergeants
later said he could easily have touched the lead
ing convict with his hand he passed
The convicts had secured good start before
the officers had recovered from their surprise.
Then some OF the policemen wanted to pursue.
but Sheriff Cook would not permit it. as he had
promised the convicts immunity from arrest.
Chief Stahl left some of his men the scene,
and with the others started back to Topeka 70
take up the chase later From Topeka ii
posse started out. and Chief Stahl expressed
the opinion tonight that he would land the men
before morning. The Convicts we'll armed.
and have taken all the guns in the farmhouse,
including those Of the Sheriff and his deputy.
They are both white men. but their identity vas
not learned.