Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-07-28
CONVICT Hunt
N CALIFORNIA
Officers and Citizens Closely
Pursue the Escaped Prison
ers From Folsom
|coNvlcTs KILLED IN FIGHT
Capture Being Imminent, the Fleeing
Men Release the Captured Guards
and Divide Into Small Groups
Short Of Ammunition and Food And
Closely Pressed by Officers.

/ Short of Ammunition and Food And
Closely Pressed by Officers.
San Francisco, July 2S.-At latest
accounts the troops and posses organ
ized by the Sheriffs Of different coun-
ties are keeping in close touch with the
conyicts who broke out of the state
prison at Folsom and their prisoners
guards and Jail officials whom they.
have taken with them in self protec-
ton. The party is moving towards
Coloma, where the citizens have armed
themselves and are preparing to resist
any attack. 1t is reported by the
driver Of a stage which passed betweeu
Pilot Hill and Coloma, that he say1
the convicts walking close together.
They all wore citizens clothes ana
were accompanied by men who wers
evidently residents of the vicinity,
whom they had apparently forced to
go with them as guides. A posse from
Placerville, under Sheriff BostWick,
was reported not far behind them, fol-
lowing their trail.
A result Of a fight between the con-
victs and officers last evening near
Pilot Hill, in Eldorado county, was
the death Of Fred Howard. a convict.
who was killed outright. and the
wounding OF another convict, a negro
named Reavis. When last seen the
convicts were in citizens clothing.
while the prisoners wo1e stripes. The
latter appeared to be having hard
time Of it, as they were heavily laden
with bundles and ammunition.
The latest information 10 to the ef-
feet that another encounter has taken
place between the fleeing convicts and
pursuers, resulting in the death OF
John Allison, convict. and another
whose name is unknown. The posses
and militia are closing in on the des-
peradoes and it is likely that within
few hours they will be surrounded o.
all Sides Capture or destruction o.
the complete band is a matter OF only
a very short time. as the authorities
have got them thoroughly in hand.
Late last night the convicts, after
an extended debate as to whether 70
kill their hostages. finally decided TO
let them go, and all the prison oiM-
cials and other captives We're turned
loose.
The released men arrived safely at
Diels this morning. The convicts aro
somewhat short of ammunition and
without supplies, having lost them in
the fight at Pilot Hill last night. Tha
convicts have scattered about the coun-
try, which is very rough, with heavy
growth of timber and underbrush, In
small groups. Farmers in all parts are
invading the district and have Joined
the militia in pursuit of the convicts.
Warden Wilkinson's Statement.
Warden Wilkinson in his statement
says:
Il went up to the prison as was.ny
customary duty to see the convicts eat
their breakfast. I stopped at the cap
tain's office to wait for the prisoners to
walk out from breakfast. We We're sit
ting in the office when the line made it's
appearance from the breakfast; room
and started for the grounds. Suddenly
seven or eight OF the prisoners made q
rush from the line with razors and
knives drawn, and came directly for
us. They were joined by Others.
Judge there were about fifteen In all.
Blood began to flow. saw that it was
hopeless to put up fight against such
odds One of the convicts came up be-
hind my back, reached over with a ra-
zor and tried to cut open my abdomen.
You can see how my belt is split from
end to end, and how my coat is hanging
in shreds The convicts got me and
Murphy and five or six other officers,
whom they disarmed.. They kept us and
to the yard and out OF it by
the front gate toward the armory post.
The gattling guns in the station hill-
tops and along the rison walls could
have been fired by the prison guards,
but had they done 50 the officers as well
as the prisoners would have been kills
led. The guards were unable to either
rescue US or to prevent their escape. As
we neared the armory guard came
out and they siezed him. They took the
keys away from him, entered the ar
mory and equipped themselves with all
of weapons. They then started
along the dusty road and crossed the
prison ranch toward the Mormon is
and bridge. After I had gone about
a mile they let me go. They also re-
eased Captain of the Guards Murphy
and my grandson. Harry Wilkinson.
The rest of the men they had taken
along with them include General Over
seer McDonough, Warden John Klein
sendorf, Guy letter. foreman of the
,ock quarry; Tony Brown, stage driver.
md Guard L. S. Vertrees and two or
:hree others whose names have not at
land."
Folsom penitentiary is the prison
without walls. It is situated in rocky
close to the American riv-
sr about twenty miles from Sacra-
nento.
The prisoners are locked up at night
n the cell house but during the day
hey labor in the stone quarries under
he supervision of armed guards On
he hill surrounding the prison grounds
ire watch towers In which the guards
lrmed with Gatling guns and rifles arc
stationed. Mounted guards are also sta
ioned about the hills. Nearly 150 men
ire confined at Folsom. and 1t has been
he practice to send the mosk des1eEaSo
prisoners here, rn a1na