Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-06-14
DARING ATTEMPT
VI Chas. Moore to Escape
from State Prison.
Saws Bars, Makes Dummy Figure
and Escapes from Cell.
Nerve Fails at a 20.Foo. lump and He Is
Soon Recapturcd.

Thomaston. Me-. June 13.-Charlcs
Moore, a 25-year man in the State pris
on. sentenced in 1883 from Cumberland
county for breaking and entering in
Portland, made careful preparations to
escape from the institution, last night.
He was missing from his cell, this
morning. and prison officials were con-
fident that he had eluded the guard
and had made good his escape from the
prison. This afternoon, however, he
was found secreted beneath the floor
OF the pulpit in the chapel. The Off
GERS believe he was afraid to make the
jump to the ground from a rope he had
attached to the bar of, window, to the
ground, and decided to hide away un-
til offered an opportunity to escape
from the building in an easier manner
When found Moore wore suit of citi-
odd pieces of cloth.
The break was made some time be-
tween and o'clock this morning, and
the prison officials are altogether I'M
able to explain how the man could have
done the work SO ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ly taking plenty of time-and escape
detection. The plan pursued by Moofe
was both open and crafty, showing
careful planning and particular care
as to details. He first removed the
bars from his cell door, on the second
floor, and replaced them with others of
wood, covered with leather. He then
crept along the iron railing leading to
the floor above, removed portion of
lock from door which barred his
progress, and assembled a flight of
stairs to the library. adjoining the
chapel. He entered this room after
filing off one bar and bending another
in the door to make room for his body
to pass through, and then began work
on the window the only thing between
himself and freedom. The sash from
this window was removed and the
weight cords cut. and weight cords al
so taken from two other windows.
These cords were knotted together,
making rope about 20 feet in length.
one end of which was attached to the
bars of the window. Moore evidently
went down this rope, which reached to
within 20 feet of the ground. and then
ed him.
Before leaving the library he wrote
note to the Jail officials. stating that
he regretted exceedingly having been
obliged to destroy so much property,
but adding that he saw no other course
open to him. The note also stated that
he would have five hours lead on the
officers and felt confident of making
good his escape.
At the prison. today. the officials
caid they would not attempt to explain
how Moore got away without attract
ing any attention. 1t was said. how
ever. that no blame whatever attaches
to any of the men at the prison.
Moore has made several previous but
unsuccessful attempts to escape since
his incarceration nearly j. years ago.
Exceptional clcNcrness was evident
each time. On one occasion the guards
found concealed in his cell a complete
dress. skirt and waist. with hat and
veil. made from small bits of serge
used for carriage Innings in the car
rage department. OF late. however. he
has been very quiet. respecting all or
dcrs and making as little trouble as
possible for the officials. His act OF
last night came altogcthcd uneXpect-
eddy.
| Moore was sentenced to State prison
| from Portland in 1888, after commit
| ting numerous burglaries and attempt
| ing to kill two officers. One of his
would-be victims was Willard a. Firth.
the present deputy marshal of the
Portland police department, then pa
! trolman. The other officer was Patrol
Hills. Moore was detected in the act
of breaking into Il house, July 3d. 1883.
/ lie showed fight and several shots
We're fired. At one stage of the pro-
J cecdings Moore pulled the trigger of
his revolver while the muZzle of the
weapon was pointed directly toward
MIR. Frith's face and only few inches
/ away, but the cartridge did not eX-
p,ode. He was then overpowered and
later was sentenced to % years at
Thomaston.