The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-17

becoming. but prison and police officials
say this is not the case. but that this par
ticular instance is simply circumstance
due to a natural cause and may happen at
most any time.
The three cases alluded to above are ex-
ceedingly sad and border on the tragic, for
two OF the prisoners were arrested for kill
ing members OF their immediate families.
and the other one for ending the life of
his best friend. with whom he had been
associated for a long time.
To look at the three men who formed the
trio as they sat in their cells some weeks
ago one would hardly have thought that
they were to answer so serious charge,
for they far from being desper-
ate-looking men, and in their actions are
very quiet and unassuming.
The two that still remain show the eff
tects of their confinement, and each one,
whether guilty or innocent seems to real
aze perfectly the seriousness of the situa-
ton and also the loss of friendships re-
sulting therefrom-
CHARGES AGAINST. THE MEN.
The three men were Joseph O'Leary, who,
1t IS said. killed his wife; Cyrus Hubbard,
who will have 10 answer to the charge OF
numbering his brother. and James Edgey.
who while under the influence Of liquor,
struck his best friend. Patrick Corcoran.
over the head with billiard cue, the blow
resulting in the latter's death.
O'Leary has been confined in Jail longer
than the others. having been arrested on
Feb. IA. and committed TO Jail the follow
Ding day. While confined he came very near
dying OF consumption, and. in fact, his
life was despaired of two or three times,
out by the faithful nursing of a fellow
prisoner. Edwin Ross, who was at that
time held in Jail awaiting sentence for
burglary, having been caught with a gang
that had been ro5bing flats for some time,
he grew much better and will be we'll
enough 10 be sentenced when the time ar
xives-
The manner in which Ross worked with
O'Leary TO save his life was quite heroic,
and the jail officials say that his faithful
ness in attending his fellow-prisoner was
something that never before was witnessed
in an institution of this kind. They say
that he was with his patient night and day
and would go for hours without sleep so
that the sick man would not miss the time
Tor taking his medicine. The physician
who attended OLeary also gives Ross the
credit Tor saving his life, and says il il
had not been for the careful attention
which was bestowed on him he would have
surely died
The strange part OF il all is that Ross and
O'Leary were not even friends before the
latter was taken sick. Ross at the time
was waiting 10 be transferred to the Re-
formatory at Jeffersonville. He had before
coming to this city been in the hospital
corps OF the United States army. which
gave him much experience in taking care
OF sick people; in fact. he as efficient
as a trained nurse. When he heard that
OLeary was confined to his bed and about
10 die he volunteered his services TO take
care of him. and the attendants at the Jail
accepted the offer gladly. For this reason
his trip 10 Jeffersonville was delayed. and
ne allowed TO remain here until his
patient was again strong and able to be
about.
PLOT TO BREAK JAIL.
Just about the time O'Leary had recov-
cred a plot was discovered at the Jail by
the officer in charge by which a number of
the prisoners would have made their es-
cape. However. il was found out before
anything further than the preparation had
been made. and consequently nothing ever
came of IL.
prisoner by the name of Vance john
son. who was held at the time for bur-
elary. and who Is now serving his term of
from two TO fourteen years at Jefferson
vile. was directly responsible for the at
tempt escape. but he put the blame on
Ross. and for awhile the officials thought
him guilty. but. knowing Johnson as a des-
perately bad man. and Ross as Just his
opposite. they Put little faith In what the
former said. investigated thoroughly and
found their supposition right in fixing the
blame Johnson.
The manner in which the planned escape
was discovered happened accidentally and
Through = very strange circumstance. The