The National tribune., 1902-02-13

to cScaDe with him habltualIy slept Will
their faces covered and their hands con-
ceaIed. This was done to accustom the
night guard TO take their presence IN the
cells for granted. by the appearance OF
the bulk upon the beds. without actually
seeing them. This guard went the rounds
at the expiration of every two hours dur
ing the night. and he would place his Ian
tern close to each cell door, in order that
the light should fill the cell and show the
occupant Gen. Morgan said that pc
culiar shuddcring and creeping of the
flesh would assail him whenever this man
anproached. He frequently crept along
with list slippers on his feet, moving with
out making the slightest noise
PREPARATIONS FOR SCALING THE OUTER
WALL.
"When the tunneling approached its
completion. all other necessary prepara-
tions were made. The prison yard. into
which the escaping party would emerge
from the tunnel, was surrounded by
wall - feet high, and means for sealing
that had to be provided. There was an
inner wall running from the corner of the
East Hall to a smaller building, in
which some of the female convicts were
imprisoned, but it was comparatively low
and little difficulty was anticipated in get
ing over it. The coverlets of several beds
were torn into strips, which were plated
into strong rope nearly 30 feet In length
A strong iron rod, used for stirring the
fires in the stoves, was converted into
hook and the rope was attached to IT:
Rope and hook were taken down into tho
air chamber, where all the 'valuables
were stored.
Gen. Morgan had managed to get
suit of citizens clothing, and the SIX men
who were going TO eScane with him were
similarly provided. the Warden OCCASION
ally allowing plain suits to be received, al
though he prohibited the introduction or
military uniforms.
"The General had also secured card OF
the schedule time on the Little Miami
Railroad and knew when the train left
Columbus and when it arrived in Cincln-
natl That card cost him Sl5-the only
money used in eGfecting his escape. DESPITE
the strict search instituted. when we first
entered the prison, several Of the party
had managed to secrete money so that II
was not found. This money was divided
among the seSen men who were to make
q break for liherty-Gen. Morgan, Capt.
Thomas H. Hines. Ralph Sheldon, Sam
Taylor, Jacob Bennett. James Hooker
smith and Gustavus McGee.
MORE WORK IN THE CELLS.
at was apparent that. as each man was
locked in a separate cell. and could not
get out of it by the door without an in
terview with the night guard. it was nee
essary to cut an opening to the air cham
ber, through the floor of each cell. from
which each one of the seven would es-
cape. If these apertures were cut from
the tsp of the floors of the cells. the risk
of detection would be proportionately in
creased: therefore, an accurate measure
ment of the distance between the cells
was taken. and with Illness cell as a
point Of departure it was easy to calcu-
late where TO commence cutting from un-
derneath, in order that the floors of all
these particular cells should be perforated.
A thin crust. only. of the cement was left.
but to all outward appearance the toor
WAS as sound as ever.
"By means of an arrangement which
Rad been perfected for obtaining all neces-
sary articles. each one of the party about
to escape had procured a stout, sharp
knife-very effective weapons in case Of
surprise and an attempt to stop their es-
cape When everything was ready they
waited several nights for rain-trusting
TO elude the vigilance Of the guards more
easily in the Obscurity of such night
and taking the chance. also that the dogs,
which were turned loose every night in
the yard, would be driven by the rain
into their kennels, situated on the other
side Of the yard from that where they
would emerge from the tunnel.
'On Nov 26. dSG3l. Gen. Morgan
learned that there had been a change of
military cOmmandants at Columbus, and
well knowing that this would be followed
by an insDection of the prison and conse-
quent discovery Of the plot. he determined
that the effort to escape should be made
that very night, and, besides, he was i'm
patient,
"'Again his hardy band to head.
And see once more his standard spread.
His own cell was in the second range
from which il was mTossible to reach the
air chamber and tunnel. hut the cell OF
his brother, Col. Dick Morgan. in the
lower range, had been prepared for the
General, and when 'Scotty' tapped, as
usual, on the stove, as a signal for aarh
man to retire to his cell. the brothers eff
fectrd The exchange Of cells.
There was a sufficient resemblance be
tween them to deceive man VINO would
not look closely. especially when they
were seated with their faces turned away
from the door.
Scott and the night guard were boil
occupants of the cells near to both o.
those where close inspection would hav'
been dangerous, to attract to themselye
the attention OF the guard when he wen
the rounds. As it was especially neces
sary, on this occasion, 10 know certainl
when the night guard approached. sma
bits of coal had been sprinkled upon tn
foor of the first range. just before III
hour for locking mp. so that, tread as light
ly as he would. the guard could not ayoi
making greasdeal Of noise.
TWELVE O'clock.
at had been arranged that just al
ter the u O'Clock visit of the guar
Capt. Sam Taylor should descend into IN
air chamber and give the signal undel
meath the floor Of each cell. Fortunatell
the only man VINO was vile enough to hav
betrayed the plan was absent in the h0i
pital. Six hours elapsed after the l0ctin,
in: regularly during that time the nigl
guard went his rounds, making an awfl
cracking as he passed along the low,
range. Sixty-odd men lay awake. sileI
and cXcited-with hearts beating lond'
and blood rushing faster through the
veins than the approach Of battle had evt
occasioned. Perhaps the coolest of a
that number were the seven who wei
about TO incur the risk
Twelve O'Clock struck, the clang of Il
bell seeming to be in the hall itself, ar
the guard passed with his lantern. II
adventurers lay still a few minutes le
he should slip back, and then at Car
Taylor's signal they sprang from the
beds hastily stuffed flannel shirts wit