The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-05-03
MURDERER SHOOTS GUARD
Arthur Laster, Sentenced to Die, At
tacks His Death Watch.
DESPERATE ATTEMPT FAILED

" D"N Ava NAc hfo
oner in Paterson Jail Strikes One
Guard N Shoots Another With Re-
volver Of First-Police From Outside
Subdue the Convict by Clubbing Him
Paterson, N. J.-Shooting Deputy
Sheriffs James Sutton and James
Crooks, the first of them three times,
Arthur Laster, the negro murderer sem
fenced to be hanged, fought like a tiger
to escape from the county Jail, and did
not surrender till he was dubbed sense
less by Patrolmen Perry and Miller.
He stunned Sutton with q piece of
iron wrapped with cloth when the
backs Of both guards were turned for
an instant, then shot Crooks, breaking
the Second Deputy's arm, and, turn
ing on Sutton again, sent three bullets
into the man.
Laster and Miller, who is also to die,
were locked in a small corridor re-
mote from the rest Of the prisoners.
With them at all times have been
two deputies, who change tours every
eight hours. The murderers have had
q large degree of freedom in the day
time.
At s o'clock that night the death
watch was changed. The night men
were James Sutton and James Crooks.
They sat in the corridor, while Laster
and Miller were in cells opposite each
other. At about $50 o'clock Sutton
was sitting facing Miller's cell and
was talking to him. Crooks was sit
ting at Laster's door. Laster asked per-
mission to go to a room at the end Of
the corridor. Crooks unlocked the door
and turned to walk to the room so as
not to have Laster out of his sight for
any time. Laster stepped from his cell
as Crooks went up the hall.
Laster was armed with a piece Of
iron which he had taken from his iron
bed. This was wrapped several times
with cloth, and it was this that saved
Sutton's life. Sutton had not turned
when Laster emerged and Crooks was
going up the corridor with his back
turned.
Without a word Laster struck SUIT
ton on the head, stunning him and
throwing him forward so that his head
hit the bars of Miller's cell. Laster,
by a quick movement, grabbed SUIT
toms revolver. Crooks attention was
drawn by the noise, and as he turned
Laster shot at him. The bullet hit
him in the right arm, disabling it.
Sutton had recovered and sought to
close with Laster and, at close range,
received three bullets. One was close
to the left eye, but was stopped by the
bone. Another was in the
breast and the third was we'll down on
the left side, but not in j vital place.
Crooks ran in and grabbed Sutton,
and together they raced along the cor
'idor and out through the door. Then
Laster made his mistake.
With the two wounded men to deal
with his chances of escape were good
If he had acted promptly and tackled
them before they were outside the
barred door at the end of the corridor.
He did not do that, and when he
sought to follow the men had the door
behind them, and he and Miller,
whose cell was still locked, were alone
In the corridor, and Crooks revolver,
which Sutton had taken, Crooks arm
being useless, commanded the situa-
lion.
Crooks telephoned to the police. The
Sheriff was away. Reserve officers
Perry and Miller were sent to the Jail.
They ordered LaSter to surrender, but
be refused, and, sheltering himself in
the cell and aiming around the corner,
ired at the officers.
He stepped into the corridor then
and dared them to fire. They parIeyed
with him for some time, and failing to
bring him to terms, began firing at
him. Laster kept up his bravado, and
up the hattened bullets from
the floor after they had struck the cor
ridor, he threw them back at the
officers, laughing at them.
Laster retained his bludgeon and one
bullet and this made the situation dan
gerous. Finally it was decided to rush
him and the doors were unlocked.
When Laster was at the far end of the
corridor the two officers rushed in.
He turned with the iron ready, but
Perry caught the blow with his night
stick and both officers closed with the
negro before he could strike again.
The fight lasted only afew seconds, and
then a few hard raps from the night
stick laid out the prisoner. A doctor
was called and revived him.
Laster was taken back to his cell.
The wounded officers were replaced by
others and for the remainder Of the
stay of Laster in the Jail he will be
carefully guarded. During the fight
Miller remained covering in his cell.
apparently greatly frightened, for he
said afterward he feared Laster might
attack and shoot him. Miller's SUBJ
sequent request to be removed to a cell
not opposite LaSter'S was granted.
Laster last summer entered Max
Wollenberg's mems furnishings store,
In Main street, and demanded money.
Wollenberg refused to be robbed and
drove Laster from the store. Wollen-
berg followed to the street and raised
a cry. Laster turned and shot him.
Wollenberg died within a few minutes.
Laster was pursued to the farming dis
trict back of the city and arrested after
several hours hunt. His case was ap-
proved by the Court of Errors.
Desertions in Navy.