The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-06-28

they drove to Mankato, arrived in the
city Sunday. forenoon and identified
his outfit. He started to drive back
to Sioux City. He said that Mrs.
Plummer, dressed as a man and smok-
ing cigar, hired the team, paying
So down, and promising to return it at
10 a. M. the next day.
Sheriff Gerlich had intended to start
habeas corpus proceedings at Mime
apolis this morning to get Mrs. Plum
mer, but after consulting with County
Attorney Wilson decided not to do so
for the reason stated above. He mott
fed the Minneapolis officials to this
effect, and the Sioux City sheriff will
take them away without opposition.
Detective Nick Smith and Sheriff
Jackson had long talk with the pri
souers yesterday, and they reached the
conclusion that the highway robbery
and murder at Merriam Junticon can
not be charged up to the prisoner and
his wife. Plummer told plausible
story regarding his movements after
he left Mankato and before reaching
Minneapolis. Detective Smith is thor
oughly familiar with that part of the
state, and he believes the prisoner is
telling the truth.
According to Plummer's tale, he and
his wife left Mankato Tuesday night
and drove leisurely in the northerly
direction. They did not try to make
time, and daylight found them at
Spring Lake, ten miles from Mankato,
where they had breakfast. This was
several hours after the murder at Mer-
riam Junction, which is forty miles
from where Plummer claims he was
at the time the tramp was killed. The
fugitive and his wife intended to keep
to the old Dodd road, but they lost
their way several times and had to
turn back. They took care to avoid all
the small towns on the way, and drove
around each settlement. In one place
Plummer drove to the postofice. where
he saw his picture and description
hanging on the wall. He lost no time
in leaving. The couple secured food
at the various farm houses, hid in the
daylight and drove at night. For four
days they did not enter a town.
According to Mr.. Miller, who was
in the city yesterday, Mrs. Plummer
did not hold up the Jail officials and
thus rescue her husband. The evening
of June 10, after Plummer had been
sentenced, his wife called at the jail
and made a strong appeal to see him,
as he was to go to prison in the morn
ing. The jailor acceded and as she
passed the prisoner in the corridor she
handed him revolver. The convict
had been given bath and he conceal
ed the weapon under the towel which
covered his hand. AS the jailor was
unlocking the cell door. Plummer pull
ed the weapon and fired at the jailor,
who was not struck by the bullet.
Then Plummer seized the keys and
held the gun to the turkeys head
while he unlocked the door. As he
emerged Plummer slapped the heavy
door in the jailor's face and this gave
the convict an opportunity to make q
gain, The jailor's wife was sitting on
the step leading to the bastile and the
fugitive fired at her. The woman was
so frig htened that she fell over, al
though uninjured.
Thinking his wife was dead, the
jailor became so dazed that it was easy
for Plummer to escape to an alley lead.
ing to the street. 1t was so dark he
could not be followed. A block beyond
the court house the team Mrs Plummel
had hired was in waiting, and the pail
escaped.