The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-28
Notorious Criminals Flee to the Mountains With Several Off,
 CiaIs as Prisoners
WILL KILL EVERY MAN
 F THEY ARE MOLESTED
Gain Liberty From FcIsom Prison at Sacramento After Attacking War den and Guarcs With Knives
 and Razors-Several Cut.

Sacramento Cal, July 27.-Thirteen no- torious criminals today escaped from Folsom prison by using the over-powered head officers of the prison as a shield to protect them from bullets until they had fled into the mountains During the struggle in the prison William L. Cotter, a guard, was stabbed to death by the conviets; A. J. Cockrane was probably fatally stabbed in the back, and W. c. Palmer was severely hacked about the head
 When the escaped desperadoes were well away from the prison, they released War den Wilkinson. Captain Murphy and one or two other men who had been used as shields. General Overseer McDonough and five or six guards are still in the hands of the fugitives. who say they will kill the prison officers if the militia attempts to retake them
 Tonight 1t is believed the conviets and their captives are making for the Bald Mountains Governor Pardee has order sd out several companies of troops of militia and they are on the trail of the escaped men.
 All Desperate Characters.
 All or the men are desperate CHdIdCleIS and blood is likely to flow before they are taken. The thirteen convicts had been acting strange of late and when they were seen talking among themselves this morn Ing Captain Murphy called Warden Will xinson and four guards into his office to consider what was best to do with the men.
 The prisoners seized this moment for escape They made straight for the cap tain's office and rushed in on the very men who were discussing the demeanor of the convicts. A desperate fight ensued and with all kinds of weapons they as- sauted Warden Wilkinson, his grand son. Harry Wilkinson. and his officers. The warden's clothing was torn to shreds and he received a deep knife thrust in the back
 Turnkey Coehrane fought the convicts with a chair, raining blows on them right and left. Finally he was felled by knife thrust in the back. Guard Cotters' abdo- men was ripped wide open and he died this afternoon. while Palmer was nearly scalped The floor of the office was cov- cred with blood. The officers were out numbered and soon were relieved of their arms.
 Used Officers for Shield.
 Then using the officers as a shield the convcts started for the army post on the outskirts of the penitentiary grounds. They passed a Gatling gun on one of the walls, but the guards were afraid to turn 1t on the convcts Arming themselves with rifles knives and pistols they made a dash for the country with several guards, the warden and captains in tow. They marched on either side of Warden Wilkinson, who was threatened with death if he made any attempt to escape The officers were told that if any of the pursuers took the life Of one or the con- victs, the convicts would retaliate life for life At Mormon bridge, about a mile from the penitentiary, the warden, his grandson and Captain Murphy were sent back The others were marched along with the convicts.
 Further on the convicts went to a farm er's house, seized his four-horse team, robbed the house of everything of value, took the farmer with them as a driver, and started for Bald mountain. Evidently 1t is their attention to reach Alabaster Cave.
 Militia Ordered Out.
 The several hundred remaining prison CTS made no attempt to Eer away. and were quickly returned to their cells and locked up. As soon as Governor Pardee heard of the delivery he ordered out the militia.
 Warden Wilkinson was the first to re- turn to the penitentiary. The convicts had taken his hat. Captain Murphy appeared afterwards minus part of his clothing, and later Harry Wilkinson came in.
 Warden Wilkinson tells his experience as follows:
 q went up to the prison as is my cus- tom to see the oonvicts eat their lreak- fast We were sitting in the office looking out of window. when the line made its appearance from the breakfast room and started for the grounds. Suddenly sev- eral of the prisoners made a rush from the line with razors and knives drawn and rushed into Captain Murphy's of flee.
 Blood Began to Flow.
 '.They were joined by others. I judge there were about fifteen in all Blood began to flow I saw that it was hope less to put up fight against such odds. One of the convicts came up behind my back, reached over with a razor 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 secured me and Murphy and five or six other officers whom they secured They kept Jus and went through the yard and out the front gate toward the armory post. The gatling gun in the station hill tops and along the prison walls might have been fired by the guards but had they done so the off cers as well as the prisoners would have beeu killed. The guards were unable either to rescue or to prevent the es cane. As we neared the armory a guard came out and they seized him. They took the keys away from him, entered the armory and equipped themselves with all manner of weapons. They then start o1anr the dIlety road and crossed the nrison ranch toward the Mormon Bridge. After I had gone about mile they let me go. They also released Capt. Mur- phy and my grandson. The rest of them they have taken along with them, including General Overseer McDonough.