The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-30
CONNECTS SHOT DOWN.
Seven Men RiddIed With Bullets While
Trying to Escape.

Folsom, Gala, Dec. 30.-A break that
was clever in plan and bold in execu-
ton has taken place at the prison here.
The guards obeyed the standing orders
of the warden to shoot regardless of
the danger to free men. and as a re-
silt seven of nine convicts, who had
planned to get away were almost nd
died with bullets, three being now dead
and three in a critical condition.
Captain r J. Murphy is wounded by
a shot in the leg and two slight knife
wounds.
plan to that of last July, but the fact
that it was within range of the guns
of seven reliable guards, all dead shots,
and one of these within fifty feet,
makes il more bold and desperate
The convicts who engaged in The
break were all employed in the rock
crusher. where 325 of the most desper-
ate prisoners were at work Captain
Murphy was acting as general over
seer about the rock crusher and four
other prison attaches, L. Daily, NJ.
Hogan. Charles Taylor and Charles
Jolly were employed as "pushers' to
keep the men at work. A large sledge
hammer was thrown into the crusher,
causing the ponderOus machine to come
to a stop. This attracted Captain
Murphy. Charles Jolly and Taylor to
the place Immediately. Thereupon the
desperate convicts rushed to seize
Murphy Jolly and Taylor. They sue
ceeded in catching the first two named.
The others endeavored to take the 9TH
er free man who escaped them During
this time the scene of trouble was un-
der cover and the guards on the outside
could not see the struggling men, al
though they soon had an intimation
that something was wrong. The con-
Victs with their captives made their
was toward a small post commanded
by Guard W. H. Harris. who was arm
ed with rifle. Five of the gang sur
r7ea6 taf If
them had Jolly. The convicts had
knives in position for immediate action
should the guards attempt to free
themselves. They had no sooner step
ped into the open than the seven guards
commenced firing. and within twenty
seconds fully one hundred shots had
been fired and seven cOnvictS were on
the ground helpless.
At the time the first shot was fired
Warden Yell was iR his Office He
rushed to the bluff overlooking the
prison and then down near the town.
He signaled the guard to continue
shooting and put his revolver into
operation also. at the same time giving
orders to the remaining cOnvictS, who
were crouching behind rocks and in
other safe places, to line up and
march in This they did in good order.
The appearance of the warden in the
midst of the fighting gave his guards
Increased courage to carry out his or
ders- During all the trouble only one
gatling gun was brought into play and
that only to Brighten the participants. |
The following -convicts were killed: |
H C HILL. under a sentence of SO
years for robbery.
J. QUINLAN. serving - years for
robbery.
w. MORALES. under sentence for
robbery.
The following wounded will prob
ably die:
d. Kelly. serving a sentence of 8
years for robbery.
E Queyada, serving a life sentence
for murder.
w. p. Fenly, serving life sentence for
murder.
Slightly wounded:
Charles Carson, serving life sem |
fence for robbery.