The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1902-06-11
PRISON
TRAGEDY
in 1888
An Astoria Man Who Fig
ured In 1t
Killed Three Prisoners Out
right, Wounded Two
others, One of Them
MOrtally


Astoria June 1.-THE killing of
three of the guards at the Salem pen
itentiary, and the escape of the two
desperate prisoners, Tracy and Mer-
rill recalls the tragedy of July 3,
1888. The guard, who on that occasion,
did desperate work, ana prevented five
OF the IA who attempted to escape from
escaping, lives in this city. Single
handed he killed four of the desperate
men, and wounded another so that he
was unable to get away. Nine, how
ever, made their escape, but all were
landed back in prison in less than 80
days, except two, one Of whom es-
capped, and has never been recaptured,
and another who refused to surrender,
and was killed while resisting arrest.
Clifford Stilwell is now working at a
local livery stable, but made most
remarkable record for his cool-headed
bravery, and remarkable marksman.
ship He did not like to talk about
himself, but discussed the present case
freely, and gave his opinion about the
escape, and later developments show
that he was about right.
Mr.. Stilwell has had a great deal Of
experience in guarding prisoners. He
guarded prisoners at San Quentin prls-
on for a long time, ana was twice on
the force at Salem. His first service
at Salem lasted ID months and the
next time he was there three and one
half years. II was while he was there
the last time that the terrible tragedy
occurred.
Fourteen of the desperate men plan
ned the escape, and had II not been
for the coolness and bravery and
splendid marlSsmanshlp OF Mr. Still
well they would have carried out their
purpose. But FIVE remained behind,
three dead In their tracks, another
mortally wounded, who died soon af.
terwards, and another whose leg had
to be amputated. DR.. Alfred Kinney,
of this city, performed the surgical op.
Grafton on the wounded prisoners.
While Mr.. Stillwell did not care to
talk further than that the men were
killed with a Marlin rife, and that
II was private property the state hay
ing furnished shotguns and Winches-
ter rifles. DR.. Kinney is familiar with
the facts, and stated them as he re-
membered them Mr.. Stillwell did
state. however, I'm regard to the deliv-
cry that he thought some prisoner
who had served out his term had been
the means OF getting the rifles into
tho prison In some manner and that
these had been kept there for some
time. They are called "a plant" by
the prisoners. lie said also that al
most all prison deliveries take place
on Tuesday. lie said that the pris
oners planned the escape on Sunday
study II over Monday and carry II in
10 execution on luehuay,
Speaking OF the 1883 delivery which
took place on July 3, DIR, Alfred Kinney
said yesterday that the plan used by
the prisoners was ordinarily a safe
one. They seized the superintendent
OF the prison and drew a knife on him
and held II over him, stating to the
guards that II they shot they would
kin the superintendent, holding II neal
his throat The superintendent shout
ed to the guards not to shoot But a.
the "A prisoners clustered about the
superintendent and passed under the
wall where Stillwen was standing, h'
fired from above. killing two OF tbs
prisoners In their tracks. They theT
escaped 10 cover Just behind a bricl
wall. still holding on 10 the superin
tendent He began firing in line will
the guard, placing three bullets on TOT
OF each other In the wall at a distances
of 30 yards, and following Il up viii
the fourth shot the bullet crashed
through the opening made by the oth
, er bullets and passed through th'
shoulder OF the prisoner killing him
The 10 remaining prisoners then seat
tered and made break for liberty
One was shot through the arm befor
they reached a cluster OF trees. ant
here they lodged among the trees, bu
when over 800 yards away anothe
showed himself, and Stlllwen woundeI
him mortally, and he afterwards died
The prisoners were gradually car
tured until. as above stated. all bu
one was captured, another being kille
/, In the interim,
Stillwell looks TO be about 40 year
old has sandy hair and mostache. Is
hRrd.working man. and very pleasan
In manner
-o-
VHIL