New-York tribune., 1903-07-28
BLOODY FIGHT IN PRISON
CONFLICTS GET AWAY.
Thirteen Escape from California
Penitentiary.

Folsom. Cal. July 27-Thirteen prisoners con-
fined in the Folsom penitentiary made sue
cessful break for liberty at the breakfast hour
this morning. After a fierce fight in the cap
tain's Office. in which a turnkey was fatally
stabbed, guard killed and another officer
wounded, the convicts seized arms and am
munition. and. using the warden and other Of
fcers as shields. escaped. Tonight it is be-
lieved that they are making for Bald Mountain.
State troops. ordered out by Governor Pardee,
have gone to the scene.
The convicts made their break for liberty
about a. m They went to the office Of r. J.
Murphy captain of the guard, and seized War
den Wilkinson, his grandson. Harry Wilkinson.
Captain Murphy and several other officers and
guards. A desperate fight took place. The
convicts were armed with knives and razors,
and with these they assaulted Warden Wilkin-
son ana his officers The Wardens clothing
was sfashed into shreds with razor, but the
blade did not touch the flesh. A turnkey named
Cochrane fought the convicts with chair, rain
ing blows them right and left. He was
felled by knife thrust in the back. A guard
named Cotter was disembowelled. He died
about noon. An officer named Palmers was Sc
verely cut in the head. The floor of the Office
was covered with blood.
The officers were soon overpowered and re-
leved of their arms Using the officers as
the outskirts Of the penitentiary grounds They
passed gatIing gun. but the guards were
afraid to shoot at the convicts for fear of killing
the prison officials. When the armory
reached officers there attempted to interfere. but
We're quickly oveTpowered, and the cOnvicts,
arming themselves further with rifles. knives
pistols and ammunition. made dash for the
country.
Convicts armed with rifles marched on either
side Of Warden Wilkinson. who was threatened
with death if he made attempt to escape and
the officers were told that If any Of the pursuers
took the life Of a convice they would
tauiate, life for life. At Mormon Bridge. about
a mile from the penitentary. the warden. his
grandson and Captain Murphy were released
and sent back. The others were marched along
with the convicts.
Further on the convicts went to farmers
house, seized his four horse team and wagon,
stripped the house of all its portable valuabIes,
took the farmer with them as driver, and
headed for Bald Mountain. Evidently it is their
intention to reach Alabaster Cave, near the
mountain. Among the officers they carried OFF
is General Overseer McDonough- Fears are
felt for his safety, as he bears the especial i'll
viii of the convicts.
When Governor Pa-dee heard Of the escape
he ordered Company H, OF Placerville. 10 the
scene, and Company c. I'd Infantry. Of Nevada
City, was ordered to be in readiness. The sew
eral hundred remaining prisoners made no at
tempt TO get away. and were quietly returned to
their cells and locked UP.
Warden Wilkinson was the first to return to
the penitentiary The convicts had taken his
hat Captain Murphy appeared afterWard.
minus part OF his clothing. and later young
Wilkinson came in. Warden Wilkinson gives
this statement of the affair:
the convicts eat their breakfast stopped at the
captains once 10 wait for the prisoners 70 Walk
when the line made its appearance from the break
seven or eight Of the prisoners made a rush from
the line with razors and knives drawn and came
They were Joined. by others. I judge there were
that it was hopeless TO put up night against such
odds One Of the convtcts came up behind my
from -1Y end to end and how nv coat is hanging in
shreds. The convicts got me and Murphy and five
six other officers whom they disarmed- They
the front gate toward the arnory. The Gatling
they done So the officers as well as the prisoners
either to US or 10 prevent the escape Of the
As We neared the armory guard came out. and
they seized him. They took the keys away from
with all manner OF weapons. They, then started
along the road toward Mormon Islano orloge-
They also released Captain Murphy. and my grand
sP sonr 11 Win them include General 6veFseer Me-
Donough John KIensendorf sI7, guard Guy letter
driver and L. :. Vertres a guard There are also
two or three others whose names I have
hand.
The following is a list OF convicts who escaped:
Frederick Howard. San Francisco, fifteen years,
robbery: Mike" Muller. Fresno. twelve years.
burglary: H. Eldredge. Alameda County thirty
wears burglary: J. Theron. San Francisco. Akfeen
vea-s robbarI- J II Wood san Francisco, life
robbery: Davis San Francisco. thirty-three years.
robbery: J. J. Allison san Joaquin, four years.
robbery: J. Murphy. Contra Costa four wears.
biEany and A Seabis, Sacramento. twenty-five
years bigamy
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