Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-01-04
GUARDSWITH
DEADLY AIM
Shot Down Seven Desperate Criminals
Who Were Attempting to Escape
From Prison.
A CLEVER PLAN WAS FOOLED
Men Throw sIedee Into Rock Break.
er to Bring Guards Into Close
Quarters.
A CLEVER PLAN WAS FoILED

Folsom, Cal, Dec. pa break that
was clever in plan and bold in execu-
ton, took place at the prison here
this afternoon. The guards Obeycd
the standing orders of the warden to
shoot regardless of the danger to free.
men, and as result seven of nine
convicts, who had planned to get
away, were riddled with bullets, three
being now dead and three in a critical
condition.
Captain r. ]. Murphy is wounded
by shot in the leg and two slight
knife wounds. The break was similar
in general plan to that of July, 1905,
but the fact that it was within range
Of the guns of seven reliable guards.
all dead shots, and one of these with
in so feet, makes it more bold and
desperate.
The convicts who engaged in the
break were all employed in the rock
crusher where 1926 of the most des-
perate prisoners were at work. Cap
tain Murphy was acting as general
Overseer about the ROCK cTuSner, anu
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 ponder,
GUS machine to come to standstill
; This attracted Captain Murphy. Char
les Jolly and Taylor to the place i'm
= mediately. Thereupon the desperate
convicts rushed to seize Murphy, Jo!
ly and Taylor. They succeeded only
I in catching the two first mentioned
The others endeavOred to take the
other free men, who managed to es
cape them.
During this time, the scene OF the
trouble was under cover and the
e guards on the outside could not sec
d the struggling men, although they sOor
!, had an intmatiOn that something was
G wrong. The convicts with their cap
\ tiveS made their way toward small
, post commanded by Guard w. II. Har
ris, who was armed with rifle. Five
II of the gang surrounded Captain Muir
, ply and two of them had Jolly. Thu
n. convicts had knives in position 70
d immediate execution, should tn
guards attempt to free themselves
u They had no sooner stepped into tn
open than the seven guards comment
ed firing and within 20 seconds full
v, 100 shots had been fired and the Sc,
ID Ell convicts were on the ground hell
'e less.
" The convicts were very bold as the
n approached Guard Harris, who stoo
y ready to act according to the stant
ing orders to shoot regardless of col
~ sequences. When witnln 40 feet (
lp the outside guards, one of the convict
~ gave the command, Hand out yor
I'd gun, or we will stab Murphy to tn
,e heart
Instead of handing out the rifle, Ha
- ris sent bullet into the fellows bod
and he fell to the ground. In quiC
succession Harris fired at each of tt
ed remaining convicts. who were tryir
OF to shield themselves behind Murpt
cd. and Jolly.
les Rough House" Kelly, the last Of Il
g. convicts shot, had borne Murphy
n the ground with him and was und
- the officer for protection. With VIC
derful GOODNESS and nerve, Murpl
mt wriggled about until Harris cou
Nv draw bead on Kelly and one sh
oil took all the fight out OF him.
,is In the meantime, bullets from 9th
,er posts were flying thickly about ma
- of them striking the convlcts. Capta
IL Murphy was struck by one of the
a slight wound being inflicted in t
leg and jolly was struck in the me-
IT'S, the bullet coming out through I
lth cheek and intlicting a very seriC
sed wound, though probably not a ia
OPP one.
set Two of the convicts. named Cal
~ bell and Ford, had intended join
- the others, but their courage fai
them when the shooting began.
,,a guards who did the shooting best,
,liI Harris were Foley, Gallagher, AND
su. son, Wiley and Woods.
ally TO have made their escape from
ere prison, the cOnvicts would have
pe, to go up or down the railroad TT;
. through a long line of guards. IT
~ evidently depended on captur
Woods rifle to carry out their pa
The knives in their possession W
so. big, dangerous LOOKING weapons,
ked had evidently been concealed MI
the months in the rocks. At the t.
die, the first shot was fired Warden
ing vas in his office. Grabbing his
en- volver, he rushed to the bluff overlt
the ing the convicts and thence down Il
IN the scene.
~ He signalled the guards TO cont
shooting, and he put his revolver
tton operation also, at the same time
ana ing orders to the remaining convl
g > who were crouched behind rocks,
Sin. other safe places to line up and ms
yi,e in. This they did in quick order.
naS appearance of the warden in
TOO, midst of the fight gave his guaros
ar,,d creased courage to carry out his
\ - ders.
~ Lieutenant of the Guard Cochl
Immediately lined up 20 guards I
about the yards. and in surprlsl
lie TO quick time had them in position
only resist general emeute. During
n ao- the trouble, only one gatling gun
nat brought into play, and that onl
DC brighten the participants.
lgest
WAYS -, anne DAN
viii ooe"'