The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1902-08-29


the writer the sensational and
Ingenious escape from the
county jail at Eureka. Humboldt COun-
ty. Cal. Of Charles Russell, n bicycle
thief II occurred about eight years
ago, and although not so sensational
or thrilling as Tracy's adventure,
formed a very interesting criminal
chapter.
Russell was a "cyclO-kleptomaniac."
Outside OF stealing bicycles and parts
OF bicycles be had no other criminal
record. When his loot was discovered.
hidden under an old mill on an island
opposite Eureka il was found to con
sst OF several bicycles, and OF all
parts OF bicycles, from tires down TO
cork handles. He was arrested. and
soon made himself a favorite with the
jail attendants-such favorite, in
fact, that he was given unusual lib
erty. and on the day set for his trial he
made his escape He was captured
with little trouble within day or two,
and when he was taken back an Ore
gon boot" "A ring Of steel weighing
nearly twenty pounds, was put around
one of his legs.
Russell became very docile but be-
gan laying plans for another escape
and the way he made il was daring
and clever
The county jail Of Eureka consists OF
a large room, i'm which the prisoners
are allowed 10 congregate during the
day, and along the side and across one
end is an IL" shaped row of steel cells
extending partly 10 the ceiling. Rus
sell was confined in the one nearest the
door, opening into one OF the court
house corridors. On the night Russell
intended 10 escape he made a paper
funnel, which he put on top Of his cell.
Then he took off his shoes and attached
TO them "A string, which he ran up to
the top Of the cell. Then he climbed
TO lock up the prisoners.
1t was the jailer's habit 10 begin at
the cell nearest the door. He liked
Russell. and always stopped 10 talk to
him. On the night in question. when
he came along, Russell answered him
sleepily through the paper tube he had
made, making his voice sound as
though coming from his cell; and TO
heighten the impression that he was
preparing for bed, he ratified his shoes
on the floor by means of the string he
had attached 10 them. The iailer bade
him good night, and passed on to the
other cells.
Unfortunately for Russell's plans the
jailer had closed the door behind him
when he came in. So Russell lay on
top of the steel bars OF the cell all
night When the jailer came in the
next morning he passed to the further
cells, around the corner Of the a." in
order. as was his custom. TO unlock the
cells farthest from the door first. He
carelessly left the main door open. and
Russell. slipping from his hiding place.
made his escape.
His absence was discovered within
fifteen minutes. but he had completely
Gisappeared-Oregon boot and all. Con
sternatiOn rcigned i'm the jail and dep
uties were sent securing the town.
That Russell could go through a town
of 1000 in broad daylight with steel
ring on his leg. without attracting at
tention. is most remarkable But he
did IL, and was not heard of for two
days-then he was seen on a ranch
nearly twenty miles from Eureka
Word was sent and the man hunt ne
gan. much as in Tracy's case. 1t con-
tinued for two weeks. Russell did not
attempt TO shoot any of his pursucrs,
confning all Of his euegries TO running
and he ran like a deer. A bullet
brought him down ut last in the Men
dOcino woods, over 100 miles from
Eureka. He was badly wounded. but
finally recovered, was tried and was
sent TO San Quentin for several years.
The Oregon boot was absent when he
was captured. and he told that he got
rid Of il by putting one side of the ring
against rock and pounding the other
side with an axe. until he disintegrated
it. The job took him nearly a whole
day. For two days he wore the boot.
holding it up by means of n cord.