The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1903-08-12
George Smith, Alias Taylor
Gives Leg Bail.
Picked Lock Of Cell in Hospital Ward
and Got Out Through the
Jail Kitchen.
A PRETTY SMOOTH CRIMINAL

nestoa, who has been in jail here for
several months past on . charge Of
forging the name of Mr.. Thomas COT
fee of the Paducah Gas Works to q
check he attempted to pass on the pro-
prietor of the Commercial hotel, sue.
ceeded in escaping from the county
Jail about 2 o'clock this morning after
a lively chase. There was much ex-
element about the Jail for awhile and
it was reported there had been q big
delivery, but this proved to be q mis-
take.
Smith. alias Taylor, seems to be q
pretty slick citizen. Soon after his
incarceration he began to appear sick
ly, had several light hemorrhages and
through kindness was moved to the
hospital ward. He did not seem to i'm.
prove there and was returned to the
main cell department., but at night
was permitted to remain on the out
side, in the corridor Of the cell depart
ment upstairs. He had an attendant,
Sid Aubrey, who was permitted to re-
main out with him, but one night re-
Gently, great hole in the wall
was discovered and both were confined
to their cells again.
The forger was closely watched
thereafter, but of late had several more
bad hemorrhages and was placed in a
cell with DR.. Elmer Davis, who is
awaiting the result of an appeal in q
case Of forgery, in the front OF the Jail
overlooking the front yard. The. cell
is locFed with patent spring lock,
which Smith picked last night and
made his escape.
DR.. Elmer Davis says he was awak.
ened about 2 o. clock by noise and
saw Smith going out the cell door.
He asked him where he was going and
Smith turned hastily and slammed the
door shut, closing the spring lock as
he passed out. He then grabbed DR..
Davis trousers, which he reached
through the bar 8, and tried to take
them with i'm, but tie owner caught
hold and shouted for Jailer Jones, W no
heard and came running over in his
night clothes. Smith fled as soon as
the alarm was given and ran down.
stairs through the kitchen. DR.. Davis
then shouted to Jsiler Jones which
direction Smith had taken.
Jailer Jones was asleep in his resi-
dence across the street when aroused
by Davis warning shouts, and grab
bling his pistol, ran out to investigate.
He went around to the rear Of the jail
but Taylor had gotten good lead and
made his escape by jumping over the
wood shed in the southeast portion of
the Jail yard and making q circle OF
the Jail, coming out through the front
yard and running towards the river.
Jailer Jones Immediately notified
the police of the escape and thor
ough search was made for the crimi-
nal, but to no avail. Today special
officers are searching for him and il
he is caught he will be placed in the
strongest cell IN the Jail and kept
there.
1t is supposed that Smith used a
wire in picking the lock, as q small
piece of flexible wire was found near
by. 1t is known that he was familiar
with the workings of locks, as he had
many Keys ON him when arrested.
Smith was not only wanted here,
but is said to be wanted in Milwaukee
aui other places for forgery. The
criminal carried his shoes and coat in
his hand, but in jumping the fence
dropped them.
1t is thought Taylor escaped by tax.
ing a route below the city. Officers
Wallace and Terrell, near cornfield
down about the Terrell farm, saw a
man stealthily creeping along a ridge
in the field and when they shouted to
him to halt, he ran, and they fred
several shots at him, but without
effect. He escaped in the darkness.
and probably crossed the river SOM
time after day light. Smith has rels-
tives at Metropolis who were recently
hara In aea ahout going hia bond