Smyrna times., 1904-08-10
GEORGETOWN HAS BIGGEST
JAIL DELIVERY IN HISTORY
ELEVEN CRIMINALS ESCAPE BY FEELING
DEPUTY SHERIFF WITH BAR OF IRON.
Daring Jail Delivery Took Place 10 Broad Day.
light While Sheriff Steel Was Away-tiOw
the Scheme Was Accomplished.

The most daring Jail delivery in the
history of Delaware occurred in
Georgetown jail Friday, when Charles
Purnell, the aged Deputy Sheriff, was
murderously assaulted by eleven ne
gro criminals, who after beating him
into insensibility with iron bars and
defying a crowd of pursuers, made
their escape to the Judge Lullen
Swamp" mile from the prison. The
fugitives are lOng-term men, imprison-
ed for murder, criminal assault and
highway robbery. They are armed
with crOwbars and axes, taken from
the prison yard, and will fight des-
perately to effect their escape. An
armed posse of farmers has started in
pursuit of them, and four of the ne
groes are reported surrounded in the
woods near the Maryland line.
Sheriff John Steel, who was absent
from the Jail when the break for liberty
was made, has called for additional
volunteers, and should the aged keep
er die of his injuries, lynchings will
be inevitable. The feeling against
the blacks is intense and the farmers
swear to shoot all suspects on sight
Purnell, the old keeper, is in a critical
condition, although he may recover.
Descriptions of the fugitives have
been sent to Baltimore, Washington
and Philadelphia, and rewards will be
offered for their apprehension.
Deputy Sheriff Purnell was alone in
the prison when the negroes attacked
him. Feigning illness, one of the me-
groes asked the aged keeper to give
him special meal shortly after noon.
With the cell keys hanging from his
belt, Purnell took the food to the ne
gro's cell. He opened the cell door to
hand it to him when the negro struck
him on the head with an iron bar.
Purnell fought bravely, despite the
stunning blow, when the negro struck
him again. Then the old man fell to
the floor, the blood flowing from his
battered head. Then the black bent
over the body of the PROSTATE keeper
and unfastened the keys.
Quickly as possible he ran to dozen
cells unlocking them and cautioning
their occupants to be silent. Running
into the prison yard, ten of the ne
groes picked up axes and crowbars
that were piled against tie wall. Al
signal from the assailant of the
keeper, the big gates swung open and
with dash the convicts cleared the
yard and made their escape to the
woods.
Sheriff Steel was in Laurel when he
received the news of the delivery. He
Immediately issued a call for volun
teers, and 100 farmers, as we'll armed
rode posthsste to Georgetown with the
Sheriff. About 300 farmers are now
on the trail of the fugitives, who art
making for the Maryland line.
Among the fugitives are some of the
most desperate negroes ever arrested
in Delaware. They are Llewellyn
George and William Burton, George
Thomas, Jacob Hopkins, George Rod
gers, Edward William, William
Brown and John Hudson, awaiting
sentence for assault and battery will
attempt to kill and grand larceny. An
other negro, Edward Tattlln, has beer
convicted of kidnapping and assault
ing little white girl. George Clay
ton, negro, who killed a companion
by throwing him in the river, is also
among the fugitives. He was to hav,
been committed to the State Peniten
tiarY next week.