The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-28
HOT PURSUIT.
Troops and Sheriffs' Posses on
the Trail
OF the COnvicts Who Escaped
From Folsom Prison.
FIGHTS ALREADY.
Both Resulted I'm Losses to the
Outlaws.
Capture or Destruction of En-
tire Band Is Expected.

San Francisco, July 2S.-At latest
accounts the troops and posses organ
lied by the sheriffs of the different
counties are keeping in close touch
with the convicts who broke out or
the state prison at Folsom and their
prisoners, the guards and Jail officials.
whom they have taken with them in
self-protection. The party is moving
towards Coloma, where the citizens
have armed themselves and are pre-
pairing to resist any attack. They have
been warned of the advance of the
convicts and will unite with the au-
thorities in an effort to put an end to
their existence. 1t is reported by the
driver of a stage which passed between
Pilot Hill and Coloma that he saw the
convicts walking close together. They
all wore citizens clothing and were
accompanied by men who were evil
IDENTIFY residents of the vicinity whom
they had apparently forced to go with
them guides. A posse from Placer
vile under Sheriff Bostwick was re-
ported not far behind them. following
their trail
The result of the fight between the
convicts and the officers at o'clock
last night near Pilot Hill, in Ell Dorado
county, was the death of Fred Howard,
a convict, killed outright, and the
wounding of another convict, a negro
named Seavis. The coroner of Placer
vile at the request of the prison Off
Gals will hold an inquest on the dead
convict. When last seen the convicts
were in citizens clothing while the
prisoners wore the stripes. The latter
appeared to be having a hard time of
it, as they were heavily laden with
bundles and ammunition.
The latest information is to the effect
that another encounter has taken
place between the fleeing convicts and
their Oursuers. resulting in the death
! of John Allison, a convict and of an
other whose name is yet unknown. The
posse and militia are closing in ON the
/ desperadoes. and it is likely that with
in a few hours they will be surrounded
on all sides. The capture or destruc-
tfen of the complete band is only a
matter of a very short time, as the au-
thorities have now got them thoroughly
in hand.
At 10 o'clock last night the convicts
turned Bernard Schlottman. Joe Foster
and the following prison officials loose:
]. c. McDonough, G. E. Jelter. J. w.
Dolan, w. ]. Hopton and Thomas J..
Seavey. They were released in the
brush about four miles south of Diel's
place and came intN Diel's about 6
o'clock this morning. John Klendorff,
one of the guards, tumbled out of the
wagon during the firing at Pilot Hill,
and escaped unhurt. This makes all the
ITee men accounted Tor ana Safe.
Last night convicts Woods, Thereon
and Eldridge left the others. Woods is
said to be the coolest and most intel
ligent among the fugitives. During the
firing he gave directions to the con-
victs with great GOODNESS. Thereon
claims he planned the escape. Convict
Gordon left the gang at Mormon island
He is well armed.
The convicts are somewhat short of
ammunition. and are without supplies
/ ha wing lost them in the f1Uhf al pilot
HILL All of them had small lunches
in their pockets, but when the shooting
began they threw them into a box in
the wagon and a few minutes later fled
/ Nearly all of them have a little money
The free men had most remarka BILE
escape. Three of them have bullet
scratches and abnasions. Seavey was
| burned on the cheek by bullet :
I Schlottman was grazed under the chin,
the mark showing plainly and Hopton
| was grazed on the back of the neck
The convicts debated whether to kill
their hostages or turn them loose There.
was a difference of opinion among them
as to what was best to do. but they
finally decided to let their captives go
unharmed. About 100 shots were ex-
changed in the battle at Pilot Hill.
Company II. of Placerville, under
command of Capt. G. A Swisler, is in
pursuit of them. 1t is believed the
escaped convicts are in the vicinity of
Lotus, seven or eight miles from Pilot
Hill. Accompanying the militia are
nearly fifty civilians. all heavily armed.
The country in which the escaped
prisoners have sought safety is very
rough with a heavy growth of timber
and uncerbrush. Farmers in all parts
of the invaded district have Joined in
the hunt for the escapes.
p j. Cochrane, the turnkey who was
tain of the guards office. is still very
low