The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-09-23
DESPERATE DASH FOR LIBERTY.
Two Convicts Make a Break on
the DeSaussure Farm---0ne
Pays the Death Penalty.
Special to The State.

Ragood, Sept. IA most daring
| escape by convicts was made at the
DeSaussure farm yesterday afternoon.
A detail was cutting wood near the
swamp and when the time came to
quit work and return to the stockade
the detail was ordered to lineup by
the guard in order that they could be
counted and marched to their quar-
ters. Just at that time Isaac Sims and
Grant Mcneil, two of the most des-
perate convicts in the squad, made
dash for liberty right from under the
gun of the guard Guard Hurst, who
was in charge, ordered them to halt,
but they refused. He then opened fire
with his rifle, first on Grant Mcneil,
but failed to hit him. He then opened
on Isaac Sims, at close range, and
missed him also. The gun then failed
to extract the old shell and could, not
be reloaded and, as it was almost
dark, and only few yards to the
swamp, they both made their escape.
AS is usual in such cases, the alarm
was given and guards and TRUSTEES
were posted in every direction to
effect their capture.
Mr.. J. II. Morris, the manager of
the Reid farm, was also notified Of the
escape and he, too, sent out his guards
and TRUSTEES to assist in the pursuit.
Every road and path were we'll guard
ed and the swamp was almost sur
rounded. It was not long before Grant
Mcneil showed himself on the Reid
farm, about mile from where the es-
cape was made When seen he was in
a trot and making for the river. This
point was being guarded by Preston
Jefferson, one Of the most trusted con-
victs on tthe Reid farm. AS soon as
Jefferson caught sight of Mcneil he
ordered him to halt, but instead of
obeying he only increased his speed.
When about so yards distant Jefferson
opened fire with the rife he had been
given and at the first shot brought
down his man. The bullet struck Nc.
Neil in the leg, breaking it in two
places and at the same time seyering
the main artery and in a short while
he breathed his last. Guards and trus-
ties were kept on guard all night.
When daylight came tbe swamp was
carefully searched in every direction,
but nothing has been seen or heard of
Isaac Sims, and he has probably made
good his escape.
Sims and Mcneil were two of the
most desperate convicts on the farm
and were always closely watched and
never given the slightest chance to es-
cape, except at the point of the gun.
They were both in a plot to escape
two years ago when Sims overpoWered
the guard and took his gun and they
with third man made their escape
Simsand Mcneil were captured q few
hours afterwards, but not until Nc
Neil had been shot by Mr.. Gardner,
one of the managers, and Sims had
emptied the rife he took from the
guard, in attempting to kill Mr.. Mor-
ris. For that offense Sims was heavily
shackled and they we're still on him
when he escaped yesterday. Sims was
sentenced from York and Mcneil from
Charleston, and they were both serv-
ing life sentences for murder.
The coroner of Kershaw county held
the inquest over the body OF Mcneil
and after hearing the evidence in the
case rendered verdict that exonerat
ed Preston Jefferson, who is also life
prisoner, having been sentenced from
Sumter IA years ago. Not long ago an
effort was made to have him pardoned
but from some cause the governor ;e-
fused to do so. 1t is now hoped by
all Of the officers and guards at the
farms that his recent meritorious
conduct will commend him TO the gov
ernor and that he will be granted an
immediate pardon. Such conduct
certainly deserves it as lesson and
example to others. Jefferson has been
trusty for II years and has always
been found reliable and trustworthy
in every position in which he has
been placed.