The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-08-21
CONYICTS START
RIOT IN PRISON
As Result One is Shot Dead
and Others Wounded.
HELD THE GUARDS AT BAY
With Weapons Taken From Deputies
the convlots Ran Across Yard
and Entrenohed Themselves.
Much Excitement.
HELD THE GUARDS AT BAY

Frankfort, Ky, August 20.-Fired by a
desire to gain their freedom Wallace
] Bishop and Thomas Mulligan of Kenton
county and Lafayette Brooks of Morgan
county, all murderers and desperate
criminals made futile attempt to escape
from the state penitentiary here this
morning. and as a result Bishop is dead,
Brooks is shot through the shoulder and
Alfred Ransom. colored, a Louisville
murderer who for a few moments es-
sayed to follow the three daring leaders,
Is suffering from wound in the shouI-
der
The mutiny started while Brooks.
Mulligan and Bishop, one of whom had
pistol concealed about his person. were
coming out of the dining rom at O'clock
this morning to answer hospital call.
Suddenly one of the convicts drew a
weapon and compelled Guard A H. Gill
to give up his arms Guard f. F. Hurst,
who rushed to ellis assistance, was also
captured by the convicts. Captain Mat
Madigan. acting warden. then rushed
forward with six guards ana fired on
the bunch, but no one was wounded.
Ran Across the Yard.
The convicts then ran across the yarc
and at the entrance to the reed de-
partment of the chair factory captured
Charles Will of Clark county, a foreman
| They covered him with their pistols and
placing him between them and the
guards, retreated to the rocker depart
ment, whence they could command
good view of the entire yard. At a win
dow they stationed WILLIS and Brooks.
with a revolver In his hand, took a
position just beside the captive, resting
the muzzle of the weapon on the fore
mans left side. The convicrs then de-
fled Warden Lillard to attempt to cap
ture them, shouting that they would kill
the foreman at the first move made
against them.
Shortly after this James Buckley, for
mery city workhouse- keeper, and Nor
gan Brewer, a former guard at the peni-
Tertiary, climbed to the roof of resi-
dence overlooking the building in which
the convicts had taken refuge and fired
several shots into the room where the
desperadoes were entrenched They were
compelled to desist, however, as Willis
was forced to the window in the line of
| fire. He called to the men to stop shoot
ing and informed them that a negro con-
Wet whom the desperadoes had forced
into service had been shot In the shout
der.
Were Ready to Surrender.
letter was brought from the despe-
radoes by Frank Brooks of Bond county.
The note stated that if the warden would
come to the head of the steps leading to
the reed department the convicts would
surrender, first sending their weapons
down by Brooks Warden Lilard pre-
pared to accept the terms of this note,
and as a matter of precaution a half
dozen guards were placed in the hospital
overlooking the reed department War
den Lillard, accompanied by eight men.
then proceeded to the foot of the stair
way of the department.
Suddenly the crack of a Winchester
was heard. showing that the note was
but a ruse. I'VE got Bishop" shouted a
guard. "IIe Is dead" The prisoners had
emerged from the reedroom. as they had
/ promised, with hands up, but as they
proceeded down the stairway Bishop
dropped his hands to his side as If to
draw a weapon. He had hardly made the
motion when one of the wardens party
fired. the bullet striking Bishop in the
breast and inficting a fatal wound.
When Bishop fell. Mulligan and Brooks
sank to their knees, begging the warden
| to save their lives and by 1890 o'clock
the two desperadoes. heavily shackled
and accompanied by ten men with drawn
| pistols, were placed in their cells and
quiet had been restored.
Brooks made a statement to the warden
this evening. He places the responsible
ity for the attempted outbreak on Bishop
He said he and the other two men had
worn shackles constantly for months for
bad conduct and that Bishop assured
them that he could get them out. This ar
ternoon Bishop Joined the Catholic
church and begged forgiveness of Acting
Warden W0dtRan
that officials life.
1t was ascertained that Capt George
Fry of Marion county, a guard, fired the
shot which wounded Bishop. Captain Fry
was detailed to watch the entrance of
the reed department from a window of
the hospital He saw Bishop drop his
hands at the surrender after being or
dered to hold them up and thought he
was going to attack Warden Lillard