The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-07-28

L OLSON Cal, July 27.-Guard Will
liam /. Cotter. dead.
General Overseer Joseph Coch-
ian. fatally wounded.
Guard Charles jolly, wounded i'm
neck and arm, not serious.
Turnkey w. A. Chalmers. wounded
on hand and arm. not serious.
Warden Thomas Wilkinson, slightly
wounded IN abdomen
Thirteen desperate convicts assault
and overcome the guard. capture the
prison armory, make their escape and
carry with them eleven officials and
guards of the Folsom state prison. in
Guiding Warden Wilkinson and Cap
tain r. J. Murphy.
Such I'm brief was the news that
startled the people of this community
and sent a thrill through the length
and breadth of the state this morning.
Outbreak Unexpected
This morning matters at the prison
went forward in the ordinary groove.
There was no indication Of trouble
The conspiracy Of the desperate con-
victs who had decided on a dash 70"
liberty had been well kept.
The prisoners marched into the din
iEg room aud had breakfast, Warden
Wilkinson. as was his wont scrutiniZ-
ing their action. After TIE meal the
men marched out Of the main gate OF
the prison into the yard The upper
yard line was out. and most of the
stone line were through. when two
prisoners turned suddenly on Outer
Gate Keeper w. A Chalmers and
dozen others rushed for the captains
office. only a few feet to the left OF
the main entrance to the prison proper.
Ready to Hold Court.
Warden Thomas wilkinson. Captain
r. J. Murphy. Harry a. Wilkinson, the
wardeu's nephew, and rye or six
guards were assembled in the captain
Office in readiness to hold the usual
morning session OF court The prison
court is held each morning and any
complaint laid against convicts by
guards or officials is investigated
The assembled officials and guards
expected anything rather than trouble.
They heard something like a scuffie at
the main entrance and Captain Murphy
rose from his chair. intending to inves
tiEate. when the Convicts dashed into
the Office door.
Conviets Were Armed.
Each Of the desperate men was
armed with a "fle knife" or a razor,
and in a twink;ing they were in the
fcers. none of whom was armed. AMI
ordered them 10 line up and march
cut.
Meantime the Gree men, outside
learned that something was wrong and
started for the office. General Overseer
Cochran was the first to enter. He was
armed with a stout cane. and, being n
ar impulsive, impetuous nature, i'm
mediately began using the cane on the
ConVicts to COmUel submission.
Rut the ConviCts who had planned
the movement were deSDerate. They
nad stsked their lives on the move,
and one man clothed with authority
end armed with a cane was not al
lowed to- stand in their way.
Used Knives and Razors.
IN a twinkling men sprang upon tho
Intrepid OverseeT. and dirks descended
and razors flashed into his body. The
other conv-cts seemed crazed by the
onslaught They used their knives,
evidently made i'm the prison black
smith shou from old files. and their
r. Zors, evidently furnished from the
prison barber shop. Unfortunately
upon the free men i'm the room.
Guard William l.. Cotton. who has
held the position for seven years, stag
gerdd, put his hand to his side: hnd
said: my God, I'm done for'' and
then fell TO the floor. Guard Charles
Jolly was bleeding prOfusely from two
wounds.
Calling Guns Were Useless.
Then the convicts seemed to gather
their senses sufficiently to enable them
10 carry out the conspiracy as planned.
with guards and officials as prisoners
they were practically immune. The
guns could not NOV them down with
put also killing their prisoners.
Warden Wilkinson had received
slash across the abdomen. but for CVe'
six hours did not know the knife had
more than clipped through his cloth
Ing. While az dinner. however. he eX-
amined the slashes In his vest. trousers, /
shirts and drawers and found that the
knife point had scanned the skin and
drawn blood Cor several inches.
Cotter Disemboweled
William l. Cotter had been disem-
bOweled and the intestines cut through /
NTH the knife. and was also bleeding /
srom various other wounds. General !
Dverseer Cochran had two deep, dan 4
Eerous sJabs in the back.
The captains Office looked like a I
daughter house IL is about fifteen /
feet square and from the front porch /
70 the rear door Il was spattered with /
blood. The melee was over IN a few
seconds. Captain Murphy. when the
dash was made. realized instantly what I
was intended. and dashed into the an /
mex to the rear Of the office. intend
ing TO run out. gather the guard, throw
away the keys of the prison arsenal or /
srmory. and of the gate leading from (
the yard.
Found Door Locked.
'''@ rear door leading from the annex