Gilpin observer., 1903-07-30
BREAK FOR LIBERTY
THIRTEEN CONvIcTS ESCAPE
FROM CALIFORNIA PRISON.

One Of Them is Killed and Another
Mortally Stabbed-Take Officers Of
Prison Along as Shield and Safely
Pass Calling Gun.
Folsom, Cal, July 2S.-Thirteen des-
perate prisoners confined in the Fol-
som penitentiary made successful
break for liberty at the breakfast
hour. After a fierce fight in the cap
tain's office, during which turnkey
was fatally stabbed, guard killed and
another officer badly wounded, the
convicts seized quantity of arms and
ammunition, and using the warden
and other officers for shield from
their pursuers, made good their es-
cape. It is believed they are max
ing for the Bald mountain. State MI
litia, ordered out by Governor Pardee,
have gone tothe scene.
The wounded: c. ]. Cochraue,
turnkey, stabbed in the back. may
die; William l.. Cotter, guard, cut
in the abdomen and died after five
hours; w. c. Palmer, cut in the head.
The break occurred about a. m.
The convicts made Immediately for
the Office of the captain of the guard.
R. ]. Murphy. There they seized War
den Wilkinson, his grandson. Harry
Wilkinson; Captain Murphy and sew
eral other officers and guards. A des-
perate fight took place. The convicts
were armed with knives and razors
and with these they assaulted Warden
Wilkinson and his officers. The war
den's clothing was slashed into shreds
with a razor. but the blade did not
touch the flesh. Turnkey Cochrane
fought the convicts with chair rain
ing blows upon them right and left.
Finally he was felled by a knife
thrust in the back. Guard Cotter was
cut in the abdomen SO that his entrails
protruded, while Palmer was severely
cut in the head. The floor of the Of
fee was covered with blood.
The officers were easily outnum-
bered and soon relieved of their arms.
Then using the officers as a shield
the convicts started for the armory
post on the outskirts of the peniten-
tiary grounds. They passed E Calling
guards were afraid to turn it on the
convicts. When the armory post was
reached, officers there attempted to
interfere, but were quickly overpow-
cred. Then, after further fortifying
themselves with rifles, knives, pistols
and ammunition, dash for the coun-
try was made.
Convicts, each armed with rifles.
marched on either side of Warden
Wilkinson, who was threatened with
death if he made an attempt to es-
cape. and the officers were told that if
any of the pursuers took the life OF
one of their number that they would
retaliate, life for life. at Mormon
bridge, about a mile from the peniten-
tiary, the warden. his son and Cap
tain Murphy were released and sent
back. The others were carried along
with the convicts.
Further on the convicts went to
farmers house, seized his four horse
team and wagon, gutted the house of
everything of value, took the farmer
with them as a driver and headed for
Bald mountain. Evidently it is their
intention to reach Alabaster cave, sit
uated near this mountain.
All the convicts are still at large.
Among the officers carried of by them
is General Overseer McDonough.
Some fears are felt for his safety, as
he bears the especial ill-will of the
convicts.
Governor Pardee ordered company
H of Placerville to the scene.
The several hundred remaining pris-
oners made no attempt to get away.
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