Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-07-28
HAD A FIERCE FIGHT
Decide Not to Kill Host
ages and Set Them
Free.

who escaped from Folsom prison yes
terday is that the party Is moving to-
wards Coloma. The posse and militia
are closing in on the desperadoes and
it is likely that they will soon be sur
rounded on all sides. 1t is reported
another encounter has taken place, in
which two convicts were killed. At
Pilot Hill last evening one convict was
killed and another wounded.
When last seen the jail breakers
were wearing citizens clothes. while
the guards, jail officials and citizens
taken prisoners by the convicts wore
the stripes. The latter were having
a severe experience, as they were
heavily laden with bundles and ammu-
milton.
Debate killing Hostages.
Late last night the convicts after
an extended debate as to whether to
kill their hostages finally decided to
let them go, and all the prison Off
cials and other captives. were turned
loose, arriving safely 1T Dicls this
morning.
The convicts were somewhat short
of ammunition and without supplies,
having lost them in the fight at Pilot
Hill last night.
The convicts have scattered about
the country. which is very rough ant
with a heavy growth of timber and
underbrush. in small groups. Farm
ers in all parts of the invaded dis
trict have joined the militia in the
pursuit of the convicts.
Folsom, Cal. July 2S.-Thirteen des-
perate prisoners confined in the Fol
som penitentiary made a successful
break for liberty at the Breakfast hour.
Aft-r fierce fight in the captains
office, during which Il turnkey was ia
tally stabbed, a guard killed and an
other officer wounded, the cOnvicts
seized a quantity of arms and am
munitiOn, and using the warden and
other officers for a shield from their
puisuers made good their escape. 1t Is
believed they are n.dking for the Bald
mountain. State militia ordered out
by Governor Pardee has gone to the
scene. The wounded are: J. Coch-
rane, turnkey, stabbed in the back.
may die; Walter L. COtter, guard, cut
in the abdomen and died; w. G. Pal
mers, cut in the head.
Fierce Fight in the Captains Omce.
The break occurred about Il. m.
The convicts made Immediately for the
office of the captain of the guard, X.
J. Murphy. There they seized Warden
Wilkinson, his grandson. Harry Wilkin-
son. Captain Murphy. and several 9th
er officers and guards. A desperate
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 raZors. but the blades 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 knife thrust
in the back Guard Cotter was cut
in the abdomen so that his entrails
protruded, while Palmers was severe
Iy cut in the head. The floor of the
office was covered with blood.
Oficers Used as a Shield.
The officers were relieved Of their
arms. Then using the officers as a
shield the convicts started for the
armory post on the outskirts of the
penitentiary grounds. They passed
Calling gun on one of the walls. but
the guards were afraid to fire on the
convicts for fear of hitting the Off
GERS. When the armOry post was
reached the officers there attempted to
interfere. but were quickly overpow
cred. Then after further fOrtifying
themselves with rifles, knives, pistols
and ammunition a dash for the coun-
try was made.