Evening star., 1902-02-03
Daring Delivery at the Workhouse
This Morning.
SAWED TEE BARS FROM 4 WINDOW
Made Rope of Sheets and De-
scended to the Ground.
NO TRACE OF FUGITIVES


this morning, but the affair is not likely to
have the sensational ending which charac-
terized the escape Of the Biddles from the
Pittsburg Jail. The men who escaped were
committed to the workhouse under the
names Of James Golden, Abraham Jacobs,
Selden ]. Williams and James French.
After saving one Of the bars from the
hall window on the second landing, the men
descended to the snow-covered ground by
means Of a rope made Of sheets. 1t was
about O. clock when they effected their es-
cape and the guards were unable to track
them on account Of the frozen condition OF
the snow. When the guards learned that
the quartet had escaped they went outside
the building and began search.
Golden and French were booked as non
residents. When Jacobs reached the prison
he gave his address as 42S street north
west, but 1t is believed he did not live there.
Williams told the clerk that his home was
at GOT G street southeast. 1t Is believed that
two women who called on Williams at the
prison yesterday discussed the question Of
escape with him. That the escape was
planned several days ago the guards are
satisfied and the saving may have been
done before today. A small piece Of saw
that had been broken was picked up by one
of the prisoners who refused to take ad-
vantage Of the opportunity to escape Of
fered by the opening in the window. This
prisoner notified the guards of the escape
OF the four men.
Escaped at Breakfast Time.
The escape was made during the time
that breakfast was being served, and while
three Of the five guards on duty were In
the dining rooms. The other two guards
were on duty on the first floor, looking out
for the exits No noise was made by the
In nj hroo hi har nor
did the men attract any attention while
lowering themselves from the window.
Pieces of twine had been tied about the
sheets, and the rope thus constructed was
found tied to the cross bar Of the hall win
dow.
The assistant superintendent Of the insti
tuition, Mr.. w. C. Ladd. furnished descrip-
tions of the fugitives to the police, and sew
eral officers were detailed to assist the
guards in their efforts to apprehend them.
Surprise is expressed by the police that
more men did not take advantage Of the
chance to escape. although they realize that
many of the prisoners would no doubt OBJ
ject to going out in the cold at so early an
hour and without being certain Of getting
a change of clothing before suffering from
the weather conditions
The prison, 1t is said, is not secure enc
by any means, and the number Of guards
is very small. Because of the diminutive
appropriation made for running the fnStitu-
tion the work throughout the building and
grounds has to be done, it is said. by con-
victs, and in order that the work may be
accomplished 1t Is necessary to trust many
of them out alone.
Those selected as TRUSTEES" are usually
taken from men who spend most of their
time in the workhouse and who are known
to have no place where they can enjoy
home comforts.
Were "Long Term" Men.
The four men who escaped were not in
cluded in this class. They were what the
guards call Tong term men" Jacobs was
under a sentence Of ninety days, while the
others were serving six months each.
Early this morning they assisted about
the building in handling the breakfast and
were to have done work inside the build
ing during the day.
Not more than five minutes after they
had finished their early morning assign
ment it was reported that they had left
the building. Then the guards recalled the
visit of the two women paid to the jail
yesterday and thought the visit may have
| had something to do with what happened
this morning. 1t is the belief of the guards
that, while planning the escape, the men
arranged for change of clothing to be
| left where the garments could be obtained
| without any trouble.
The bars in the cell rooms are examined
| every day, but no attention is usually paid
| to those in the halls. These bars are where
| the daytime and during such hours tha,
the guards thought the men would be
| afraid to work upon them These partic-
| ular bars had not been examined for many
| days, SO that it is impossible to tell Just
| when the saving was done.
! Mystery Where They Got the Saws.
Where the men got the saws is moi
known. but there are plenty of opportuni
ties afforded for getting such implements
Some of the men are employed in tht
blacksmith shops, where they could easily
make saw or other implement. Then, too
the men are not searched, 1t is said, wher
they return to their cells. The police ar,
said to be but little interested in the case
| although they are doing all they can tt
! apprehend the fugitives. There are nov
| about 200 prisoners in the workhouse ane
because of the manner in which the build.
| Ing Is constructed as many as ten or fir
| teen men occupy one room.
1t was stated by the police of the fifth
| precinct late this afternoon that they ha(
found no trace Of the fugitives.