Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1902-10-22
Smith 4 \ MAKES l 4 |. BREAK. |l|:|
James Smith Of Mclean County At
tempts a Daring Escape From
County Jail.
Wholesale Jail Delivery Of Murderers
Narrowly Averted While Sheriff
is Out Of Town.
Smith Recaptured Through Presence
Of Mind Of Sheriff's Wife and
Taken Back to Jail.

A wholesale Jail delivery, which
would have released three murderers
and prisoner awaiting trial for an |
escape from the state penitentiary,
was only prevented by, the failure Of |
James Smith, the Mclean county muir
derer, to carry out his part OF dar-
ing plan of escape,
AS the plan resulted, Smith made his
escape from the cage where he was
confined, fled out upon the street and |
was captured in an alley near the rear
of Frank Donnelly's residence.
Mike Lenihan, jailor, was knocked
down on the floor of the cage corridor,
and his back somewhat injured by the
weight of Smith, when he threw him
self upon the jailor. Il, {#5
The plan Of escape has evidently
been maturing for some time and
Ynroves the resourcefulne of prisoners
y ho make a study Of plans to escape.
The four prisoners, Ulic Chilkoff,
Governor Griffin, James Smith and
Hines are confined in the steel cage ON
the second floor Of the county Jail.
Within the cage are three cells, with
doors which are locked BY a bar man
ipMated from outside the cage. In
front of the cells is a corridor, two or
4 three feet wide, also enclosed by steel
grating. This is entered by door
from the outside.
When the prisoners receive rheir
meals, or when for any reason the
jailor enters the corridor, the men are
sent into their cells, the doors locked
from the outside, and the corridor is
then clear. ~.
For some time the prisoners have
y been hanging up little pictures at the
i corner OF the corridor nearest the door.
These pictures they hung up a few at
at me, SO that their presence was not
particularly noticeable, until they had
the corner: so we'll covered that the part
of the corridor just inside was con-
cealed from view.
a chair upon which the jailor places
the food was also gradually moved
from the door OF the corridor toward
the center z.
Last night at about half past six,
/ eMes Smith, the Mclean county
!. .iurderer, concealed himself in the cor
i ner OF the corridor, where the pictures
\ shielded him from view z #
Jailor Mike Lenihan saw that the
corridor was apparently clear, locked
& the doors Of the cages and entered the
corridor with the evening meal. .s i,
AS he bent over the chair, Smith
ssprang from his hiding place in the
corner, and upon the back OF the jaillor, jail
bearing him to the steel floor. AS
\ Lenehan fell, however one foot was
thrust back Through tihe corridor door,
y so that it could not be shut.
1t was the evident plan for Smith
II to step out Of the corridor door, throw
back the bar which would have re-
leased the three cage doors and liber-
ated the other three men. s9..5
In his excitement, apparently, he
q forgot this important parti icular, and
thought only OF his own chance OF es-
cape. He shut the door as closely as
he was able, sprang out into the hall
4 ran down the stairs, and as he did So
he met Mrs. Bogue, wife Of the sheriff
@85 @ who was coming up the stairs from
the basement. IA
She endeavored to stop Smith, who
was speeding down the upper stairs all
toward the door. He thrust her aside
and darted out Of the Jail door.
Mrs. Bogue followed him out and
gave the alarm. Elvis Wood, who
was passing, heard her cries, and saw
" the flying murderer. He followed him
aronnd the school house across the
street, and into the alley. .5s8
by this time 1t was nearly dark
Wood saw Smith hiding IN the alley
N and, crooking his finger in the shape
OF 8 revolver, brought the escaping
man to book. Smith thought a gen;
uine revolver was staring him In ths
face, and surrendered, Wood tool
him back to Jail where today he is re,
fiecting upon the miscarriage Of bill
attempt s
sheriff Bogue was absent at the tims
I Of the attempted escape, having talxez
a patient to the insane hospital yes
terday afternoon He returned froeI
jamestown last night.