Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-11-28
BLOODY FIGHT
WITH CONVICTS
Prisoners at Missouri Penitentiary A.
tempt to Escape and Running Bat
tie in Street Follows.
TWO PRISON OFFICERS KILLED
One Convict Dies of Wounds-Deputy
Warden Shot Twice-Conflict
Thrilling One.

JSISI sui Slls, MO., INV. GA uSo-
perate attempt to escape from the
state prison was made by four con-
victs at 3:15 o'clock this afternoon,
resulting in a terrific battle with
weapons and nitro-glycerine at the
prison gate, a running flint through
the streets of Jefferson City, and the
final capture of the four convcts, two
of whom were shot and wounded. Two
prison officers were shot dead, and a
third seriously wounded:
The dead: John Clay, gatekeeper;
E. Allison, office of the commissary
department.; Hiram Blake, convict.
The wounded: Deputy Warden r.
Z. See, shot in arm and nip; Harry
Vaughn, convict, st. Louis, shot in
arm.
Mutineers captured and unhurt
George Ryan, from Kansas City; Char
les Raymond, a three-year burglar from
st. Louis.
Blake. who was wounded in the bat
tie with the posse, died tonight.
Warden Matt w. Hall, Yardmaster
Porter Glvin and five prison guards
departed this morning for Fort Leav-
enworth, kas. on a special train con-
veying II federal prisoners who are
being transferred from the Missouri
state prison to the government pris-
on at Fort Leavenworth. 1t is be.
lieved that this fact had much to do
with the outbreak today, as it is sur
missed the convicts had counted large
ly upon Warden Halls absence in their
premeditated attempt to escape.
Gave No Warning.
There was not the slightest premo.
milton of any trouble within the pris-
or walls. Suddenly Convicts Harry
Vaughn, Charles Raymond, Hiram
Blake, George Ryan and Eli Zeigler,
who were working in close proximity
to the prison gate inside the inclos-
ure, as if by given signal, made
rush for the gate. From their peck
cts they drew pistols and it is pre-
sumed that at least one of them car.
ried bottle of nitro-glycerine. Where
these weapons and the explosive were
obtained has not yet been discovered.
Rushing past the gate they entered
Deputy Warden Sees office and shot
him as he sat in his chair. He sank
back and was unable to resist them.
INSTANTLY lIGS IcIuILtu W lH6 Sdlo
and met Gateman John Clay, who had
been alarmed by the shots. Before he
could raise his weapon he was shot
dead.
Then, as if to signal the convicts
generally that the attempt to escape
lad been started, the cOnvicts seized
the bell rope hanging by the gate and
rang the bell.
GatpDpop Clay had loft tho uoro,
gate ajar when he appeared and was
shot dead. The convicts rushed
through. dragging his body with them.
slammed the gate shut and fastened
it on the inside.
Guard E. Allison. who was attracted
by the shooting, was their next vic.
tim. He was shot through the head
and died almost instantly.
They We're then in the wagon en-
trance to the penitentiary, this en-
trance being about 40 feet long by Is
feet wide and leading to the public
street through another double gate Of
STEEL This outside gate was locked
but the desperadoes were deferred but
for moment. Placing their nitro
giycerine under the outside gate, they
blew an opening through the massive
steel doors, and before the smoke had
cleared from the opening they had
dashed through past a number Of
"trusty" convicts working in the
street, and ran madly for IL blocks
Zeigler, it was found, had failed to
leave the penitentiary walls.
Fight in the Streets.
Almost before the four escaping con-
Victs had covered the distance of one
block, the prison officials heavily arm
ed, were in pursuit, shooting as they
ran. Pedestrians jumped behind trees,
ran into houses and crouched behind
any obstacle that presented refuge.
Those living in houses along the line
OF flight, alarmed by the shooting,
rushed out to ascertain the cause
Women screamed and fed precipitate-
l!, while the majority of men seized
weapons and joined the prison Off.
Gals in the pursuit. A desperate fear
gave speed to the convicts, and they
outran their pursuers. Near the Mis-
souri, Pacific railway station they came
upon wagon being driven by Or
vile Lane. Jumping into this wag
on they seized Lane and held him to
act as shield from the bullets of their
pursuers. One convict dashed the
horses into run. The wild ride was
of short duration, however, as anoth