The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1902-06-13
JAIL BREAK IN OREGON
PRISONERS KILL THE GUARDS,
They Were Long Time Men-Made
Their Escape While Going to
Work In the FOundry-shot q Fell
low PrisO0er-Arms Had Been
", Furnished Them.

Salem, Ore, june lO.-Two desperate
prisoners, Harry Tracy, sentenced to
20 years, and David Merrill, l3 year
man, serving sentence for assault and rob:
berry from Multnomah county, made an
outbreak from the penitentiary Monday
morning, after killing three guards
Frank Ferrell, shop guard, and s. K.
Jones and B. +. Tiffany, fencemen.
The prisoners had just marched into the
foundry for work at a. m. when Tracy
suddenly appeared, armed with rifle,
shot Guard Ferrell, killing him almost
instantly. Ingram, life prisoner, at
tempted to take the rifle from Tracy,
when Merrill shot Ingram through the
leg, shattering it. Other prisoners were
forced at the point Of pistol to take
the ladder to the wall, when the two
armed men escaped. Going outside, they
shot Guard Jones dead at distance Of
$50 yards. Guard Tiffany, after being
wounded, jumped off the fence and fol-
lowed the men, shooting at them, when
they killed him.
The prisoners then escaped into the
woods. A posse Of 40 men is out after
the prisoners and have them located in the
woods half way between salem and the
reform school. The men are desperate,
and battle is expected. The posse il led
by Sheriff F. w. Durbin, Sheriff-elect B.
b. Goliath and officers from the prison.
The prisoners are armed with two rifles
and two revolyers. The arms are believed
to have been thrown over the stockade
Sunday night by friends among excursion
lists who came from Portland. Ingram,
the wounded prisoner, was sentenced
from Linn county for killing his brother,
in 1891.
Guards Taken by Surprise.
Prisoners employed in the foundry
were marched to work at o'clock and
had entered the molding room with the
guard, Ferrell, inside, and Guard Staple
ton in an adjoining room. Suddenly,
without warning, Tracy and Merrill ap-
peared with rifles. Tracy aimed at Fer
rell, when Ingram, life prisoner, attempt
ed to reach and disarn Tracy. Instantly
Merrill shot Ingram, and Tracy killed
Ferrell, the latter falling forward, dying
almost instantly. The prisoners, Tracy
and Merrill, at once made for the wall
near the northeast corner of the stockade,
where they scaled the walls by means OF
ladder. When outside the wall, Guard
Jones, on the northwest corner of the
stockade, was killed, having been shot
twice, in the abdomen and breast.
Used Tiffany as Shield.
Tiffany was also shot, and he dropped
off the fence, engaging the fugitives in a
fight. His gun was soon empty and ne
was taken by the escapes and used as
shield while they made for the timber.
When out of range Of the prison they
stopped and deliberately killed Tiffany,
escaping into the timber Immediately.
They had taken Tiffany's gun, but, find
ing it empty, threw it away. Duncan
Ross, new guard, was on the fence near
Tiffany, having been ordered up to re-
lieve the latter at his post. Ross was un-
armed and the escapes shot at him, one
bullet striking him in the forehead, in
ficting slight scalp wound.
A large force Of men is now out
searching for the escapes, who are known
to be in the timber between the prison
and the reform school, and as they are
desperate, battle is expected before they
are secured. The prison authorities offer
$1,000 reward for the capture of the pris-
oners. The three guards killed have fam
lilies. Great excitement prevails in this
city, and scores Of men are leaving tor the
woods, armed and determined to run the
murderers down. A farmer has just re-
ported that he saw the escapes in the
woods near the reform school, four miles
south Of this city.
Went Through Salem.
Salem, Ore, June ll.-Tracy and Mer-
rill, the convicts who killed three guards
at the penitentiary and escaped from pris-
on, passed through Salem, stole some
clothing and team Of horses, and are
now supposed to be working their way
north toward Portland.
About 10 o'clock in the night they met
j. w. Stewart, who was on his way to
his home in South Salem, made him dis.
robe and took all his clothing. He was
then compelled to enter his house, and
under penalty Of death he was charged
to say nothing Of his adventure. Stewart
was terrified and kept close to his home
until daylight, when he informed the Of
fcers Of his experience with the convicts
Passing on through the city they stole
an overcoat and pair Of overalls from
an expressman named Welch. Having
disposed of their prison garb they entered
the stable of Felix Lebaucher, on the
edge of town, took pair Of horses and
started north.
Troops Called Out.
Salem, Ore, June l2-Governor Geel
has called out one company of national
guards and ordered ii to Gervais, where
Tracy and Merrill are surrounded.
smuggled Gums to Convicts.
Portland, Ore, June l2.-The Portland
police have been notified by officials thai
they suspect Scotch Aleck" and big