The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-07-31

San Francisco, July 2S.-At latest ac-
counts the troops and posses organized
by the sheriffS of the different counties
are keeping in close touch with the
convicts who broke out of state prison
at Folsom and their prisoners, the
guards and all officials whom hey
have taken with them in Self-protec-
ton. The marty is moving towards
Coloma where the citizens have armed
themselves and are preparing to resist
any attack.
The result of the fight between the
convlcts and the officers at Z o'clock
last night near Pilot Hill in Eldorado
county was the death Of Fred Howard,
a convict killed outright, n the
wounding of another convict. 6, negro
named Seavis. The coroner of Placer
vile at the request Of prison officials
Will old an inquest on the ead con-
vict. When last seen the convicts were
in citizens clothing While their prison.
ers were the stripes. The letter ap-
peared TO be having a hard time of it
as they We're heavily laden with bun
dies and
The latest information is to the eff
feet that another encounter has taken
place between the fleeing convicts and
their p~ursuerS, resulting in the death
OF John Allison. a convict. and of an
other whose name is unknown. The
posses and militia are closing in on the
deSperadoes. The capture or deStruc-
ton Of the omplete band is only Il
matter of a very short time.
At 10 o'clock last night the cOnVictS
turned Bernard Schlottman. Joe Foster
and the following prison officials loose:
J. c. McDonough, ]. E. Jeiter, j. w.
Dolan. w. j. Hoptona and Thomas j.
Seavey. They were released in the
brush about four miles south of Diel's
place and came into Diels about b
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 all the freedman for
ana safe. He is we'll armed. The
convicts are somewhat short of am
munition and are without supplies,
having lost them in the fight at Pilot
Hill. All of them had lunches in their
pockets. but when the shooting began
they threw them into a. box in The
wagon and a few minutes alter fed.
Nearly all of them nave a little money
They debated whether to kill their
hostages or turn them loose. but they
finally decided to let them go unharm-
ed. About one hundred shots We're eX-
changed in the battle at Pilot Hill.
Company H.. Of Placerville. under
CONNIE" of Captain c. A. Swisler is in
pursuit Of them. accompanied by
nearly fifty civilians heavily armed.
p. j.. Cochran. the turnkey. who was
stabbed in yesterdays fight in the cap
tain of the guards office. is still very
low.
The fght at Pilot Hill last night be-
tween the ~cOnvicts and their purSuers
seems to have been a more serious af-
fair than at first reported. After they
had looted a provision store at Pilot
Hill. they Were practically surrounded
by the sheriffs Of Sacramento and
Placer counties. each commanding a
strong psse. All foUr horses o nthe
convicts wagon were shot and one or
the criminals was killed outright. Then
the outlaw raised a white flag and
marched up the road with the guards
and others whom they had captured on
each side of them. A general volley "a
not ordered as it might have killed
several innocent men. In this DELHI
crate name the second escape was
made.
The pursuing officers have been in
structed to shoot the convicts on sight
and their capture is expected.