Rosebud County news. [volume] (Forsyth, Mont.) 1901-1906, 1901-11-14
USE SHERIFF. AND WOMAN A!
SHIELDS TO PROTECT THEM
FROM POLICE,
SHERIFF PROMISES IMMUNITY
POLICE COMPELLED TO STAND
HELPLESSLY by WHILE THEY
ESCAPE.

topeka, Kan, NOV. 1Z.-Sheflff COOK
of this county and Deputy Sheriff
Williams were captured by two es-
capped convicts from the Fort Leaven-
worth military prison yesterday 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 a line of police sent from To-
peka to reinforce the sheriff and are
now at large. Both were slightly
wounded. Wooster was badly wound
ed by one of the convicts when he
tried to fire on them. Mrs. Wooster
and Sheriff Cook We're held before the
corvicts as shield by the prisoners
in making their escape. The posse is
now in pursuit.
AT o:30 yesterday afternoon some
farmer boys near Pauline learned that
the convicts We're in the neighborhood.
Hastily forming a posse, armed with
target rifles, pistols and clubs, they
gave chase. Neither of the convicts
were armed and they We're unable to
make stand. Later Sheriff Cook and
Deputy Williams arrived. Coming
upon the convicts both officers fired,
wounding the men but not disabling
them. The convicts then fled through
a small opening in the timber and ran
into the house of Farmer Wooster.
Sheriff Cook telephoned to Topeka for
assistance and then
Took Up the Chase.
Thinking the convicts had run around
thu house, Cook darted through the
open door, intending 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, and he, too, was
made captive by the convict. In the
meantime Chief Stahl of Topeka, with
eight officers, were on the way. They
arrived at the Wooster house about
an hour after the officers had been i'm
prisoned. Chief Stahl Immediately be-
gan negotiations with the convicts to
give up their prisoners, but the con-
v1cts only laughed The convicts
placed the woman and Sheriff Cook in
front OF them as shields and made for
the door. Then after exacting a prom
lse from the sheriff that he would not
permit any of the officers outside to
fire on them, they
Started for the Open.
AS they left the house, the frightened
farmers wife and sheriff before them,
the conVicts passed between a Gordon
Of police who could have easily cap
[ured them, and started for the rail-
road track. The sheriff had in the
meantime exacted promise from the
police that they would not modest the
and they did not. After COW
ering considera ole distance down
The track the convicts suddenly disap-
peared through a hedge fence, bidding
he officers a mocking farewell One
IL the police Sargeants later said he
Gould have easily touched the leading
convict with his hand as he passed
The convicts had secured good
start before the officers had recovered
rom their surprise. Then some of the
policemen wanted to pursue, but Sher-
# Cook would not permit it as he had
the convicts immunity from
lrrest. Chief Stahl left some of his
men on the scene and with the others
started back to Topeka to take up the
'nase later on. From Topeka q posse
vas started out and Chief Stahl ex-
PRESSED the opinion that he would land
he men in q few hours.
COnVi"ts Rob II Man.
Kansas City, Nov. 12.-None of the
ourteen escaped convicts from the
'ort Leavenwort1 prison at liberty
saturday evening was taken yester-
ay, although armed guards and citi-
ems kept up a steady hunt all day
sunday. Saturday evening three of
ne escaped prisoners held up and
obbed man near Manhattan, Kan,
tut escaped and all trace of them was
ost. one of the men is believed to be
rank Thompson, the notorious negro
cared of the mutiny.