Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1903-07-29
DESPERATE CONVICTS
Thirteen Notorious Criminals Make
Their Escape.
LEFT FOL"0M PRISON
Using Officials Of the Penltentiary as
a Shield, the Men Did Terrible
Work Before Taklng Their
Hurried Departure.

Sacramento. Cal. July gs.-Thlrteen
notorious criminals Monday escaped
from Folsom prison by using the oyer-
powered officers OF the prison as
shields to protect them from the bull
let's until they had fed into the noun
tains. During the struggle In the prls-
on william L. Cotter. guard. was
stabbed to death by the convicts. G. j.
Cochran was probably fatally stabbed
In the back and w. G. Palmer was
severely hacked about the head
When the escaped desperadoes were
well away from the prison they re-
leased Warden Wilkinson. Captain
Murphy and one or two other men who
had been used as shields General
oyerseer McDonoush and ave or six
guards are stlll In the hands of the
fugitives. who say they viii XIII the
prison officers II the militia attempts
TO re,ake the conyicts.
II Is believed the convlcis ana their
captives are making for the Bald
mountains Governor Pardee has or
dered out several companies of militia
and soldiers are on the trail % the fu-
gitives. Az the escaped men are des-
pcrate characters. and blood Is likely
to fiow before they are taken. The
thirteen convicts had been acting
strangely of late. and when they were
seen talking among themselves Mon
day morning Captain Murphy called
Warden Wilkinson and four guards
Into his ONCE 10 consider what was
best 20 do with the men.
The prisoners seized this moment
FOR escape They made straight f0r
the captains Office ana rushed In on
the very men whom prisoners. wish
ing 20 escape. usually elude. A des-
pernte fght followed.
The couvicig were armed with
knives and raEors. and with these they
assaulted Warden WIZ inson. hls
grandson. Harry Wilkinson. and his
officers The wurien's clothing was
ss'ashel into shfcds with razor. but
the blade aid not touch the ncsh
Turnkey Cochran fought the c1nyicts
with chair raining blows 90 them
right ana len Finally he was fellsi
by "a knife thrust in the back Guard
Golfers abdomen was,rupel ouen ana
he died. while Palmer WAS nearly
scliped. The Goor of ihe office was
covered with blood
The officers wer outnumberc1. ana
soon were relieved o. their arms Then.
using the officers as O. shield the con-
yiCts started for the armo-y post on
the outskirts of the rrla aon grounds.
They passed Glr.rr run on one OF
the wallis. but the rua.le were afraid
10 turn % uUo1 ths Conylcts. when
tha armCry post WAS reached. the
guards attempted o. interfere. but
were quickly overpowercd. Then. aft
er further arniug themsclra- with RI
nes. knives. pistols and ammunition.
they made a dash Tor the country with
several guards. the warden and cap
tain IN tow.
The convlcts. armed wiih rifles.
marched. one on either side u tho
warden who was thrcl ened with
death u he made an attempt TO escape. I
The officers were told that u any Of
the pursuers took the lie ~ one of the /
convicts. the convicts would retallats ,
life for ne Al Mormon bridge. a I
mile from the penltentiary the war; 4
den. his grandson and Captain Murphy I
were sent back The others were
marched along with the convicts.
Further on. the convicts went 10 a I
farmers house. seized his four horse 4
team and wagon. robed the house Of
everything OF value. took the farmer 4
wl.h them as a driver and started for
Bald mountain Evidently 90 Is their
Intention Go reach Alahaster cave.