The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-28
DESPERATE
DASH FOR
LIBERTY
ConviCts Escape from
Folsom Penitentiary.
TOOK OFFICIALS
AS A SHIELD
Terrible Fight Took Place
Before Flight.
GUARDS WERE AFRAID
TO FIRE ON THE PARTY
Desperadoes Threatened to Kill Their
Prisoners If Any Attempt Was Made
to Pursue Them-They Are
Making for Gave Near
Bald Noun
GUARDS WE'RE AFRAID
TO FIRE ON THE PARTY
(By Associated Press.)

FOLSOM. CAL, July T.-Thirteen des-
perate prisoners confined In the Folsom
penitenuary made successful break for
liberty at the breakfast hour this morn
ing. After fierce fight in the captains
office, during which a turnkey was fatally
stabbed, a guard was killed and another
officer was wounded. the convicts seized
arms and. ammunition. and, using the
warden and other officers as shields, es-
capped. Tonight 1t Is believed they are
making for the Bald Mountain. State
troops ordered out by Governor Pardee
have gone to the gcene.
William L. Cotter. guard. was cut in
the abdomen and died five hours later,
and w. C. Palmer was cut in the head.
The convicts made their break for lib
erty5 about Z A. NJ. They went to the
office OF r. j Murphy captain Of the
guard. and seized Warden Wilkinson, his
grand son, Harry Wiikinson; Captain
tain Murphy and ss1ersl otter officers
ana guards. A desperate fight took place.
The conyicts were armed with knives and
3rr2ors, and with these they. assaulted
Warden Wilkinson and his officers. The
warden's clothing was slashed into shreds
with razor. but the blade did not touch
the flesh. Turnkey Cochrane fought the
ccnvicts with a chair, raining blows
upon them right and left. Finally he
was felled by knife thrust In the back.
Guard Cotter was disemboweled by cut
in the abdomen and he died about noon.
Palmer was severely cut In the head. The
floor OF the Office was covered with blood.
USED AS SHIELDS.
The officers were easily outnumbered
and were soon relieved OF their arms
Then. using the officers as shields. the
convicts started for the armory on the
outskirts of the penitenhary grounds.
They passed gatlng gun on one Of
the walls, but the guards were AFRAID
to shoot at the convicts for fear of kill
ing the prison officials.
When the armory was reached officers
there attempted TO interfere. but were
quickly overpowerd, and the convicts.
after fortifying themselves further with
rifles. knives, pistols and ammunition,
made dash for the country.
Convicts, each armed with rifles.
marched one on either side OF Warden
Wilkinson. who WAS threatened with
death II he made an attempt to escape,
and the officers were told that II any
of the pursuers took the life Of one of
their number they would retallate, life
for life At Mormon Bridge, about a
mile from the penitentiary, the Warden,
his grandson and Captain Murphy were
released and sent back. The others were
marched along with the convicts.
MADE FARMER DRIVE.
Further on the convicts went to a
farmers house, seized his four-horse
team and wagon. stripped the house OF
all its portable valuables, took the farm
er with them as driver, and headed for
Bald Mountain. Evidently. It is their
Intention to reach Labaster Cave. stu-
ated near this mountain. All the con-
victs are still at large. Among the olsl-
GERS carried off by them is General Over
seer McDonough. Some fears are felt
for his safety, as he bears the especial
Ill feeling of the convlcts.
The several hundred remaining prls-
oners made no attempt to get away and
were quietly returned to their cells and
locked up.
Warden Wilkinson was the first to re-
turn to the penitentiary, The convicts
bad taken his hat Captain Murphy ap-
peared afterward, minus part OF his