The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-07-07
MURDERER ESCAPES FROM COUNTY JAIL Robert Dix, Negro Who Killed Motorman, At Large OUTSIDE AID SUSPECTED After Reaching Window He Placed Piece of Cot From Sill to Outer
 Wall-Stlll at
 Large.

Large.
 Robert L. Dix, negro confined in cell No. in the Jefferson county Jail, under sentence of death to be hanged August 8 for the murder of Bert Pesnell, a motorman on the Gate City car line on the night of October 16 of last year escaped from the jail last night at about o'clock by saving his way out through the side of his cell and an upper window in the adjoining corridor At an early hour this morning he had not been appre- hended.
 The following notice and description Of the escaped murderer have been sent out by Sheriff Andrew W. Burgin to all towns throughout the state:
 $500 REWARD!
 For the capture of Robert l.. Dix, who escaped from Jefferson county Jail about ' D. m., July 6, 1906.
 Description-About 23 years old, about feet inches, light ginger cake color or mulatto, dark hair, dark eyes, three upper front teeth gold crowned, well edu- cated, we'll dressed.
 The negro is supposed to nave worn a brown derby hat at the time of the escape.
 The cell in which he was confined Is located at the southeast corner of the jail The hole cut in the side is near the bottom of the cell and measures 11xl4 inches. It Is not known where the negro secured the file with which he effected his liberty, but the authorities say they are of the opinion that he was aided by friends on the outside. It is suggested that the file may have been sent in in a bottle of milk or that a prisoner or pris- oners with the liberty of the corridor may have assisted him from the outside.
 Negroes RetIcent.
 Negroes confined In the neighboring cells refuse to make any statements in connection with. the affair, but Earl Fletcher, who was recently sentenced to be hanged on August 10 for the murder of another negro, Bob Payne. intimates that he might throw some light on the matter if he chose to do so He stolldly de- clares that he is under sentence for the same crime as the escaped man, and that he would gain nothing by telling what he knows
 Wardens In Charge.
 After getting out of the cell, Dix went up the corridor to the northeast corner of the jail where he made his exit from the jail proper through the upper win dow, one bar of which had been filed off. The negro Fletcher intimates that this was not done yesterday, and the opinion of the wardens is that the work had been in progress for some time. When he had climbed through the window, the negro placed a piece of a cot, presumably furnished by a prisoner in another cell, from the window sill to the outer wall and climbed across to the parapet, from which he let himself down to the ground. His further movements are unknown as the officers in charge found no trace of him when they rushed out on learning of his escape.
 Dix's Crime.
 Outer Warden O. G. Evans and Inner Warden Syd Sandlfer were in charge at the time of the escape, and Deputy Sheriff J. l.. Thompson was also assisting as special inside guard The last named of- ficer had just come on duty at the time and as he and MT Sandifer passed the cell they discovered the fact that the
 
 make investigation. Warden Evans seized his pistol and ran out to search the alley back of the jail, but Dix had by that time fled the vicinity.
 The escape created something of com motion, and soon as 1t was definitely known, the official machinery was put in motion and telegrams and telephone mes- sages were sent out to all of the neigh boring towns to keep a sharp lookout for Dix. Warden Evans notified the au- thorities at Woodawn to watch the rail- road yards in that place, as 1t was thought that the negro might dare take this route out of the city. Every town in the state is being furnished with an accurate description of the murderer.
 Up to the time of the trouble with the motorman last October, Dix was a well known sign painter, and had worked up a considerable business in Birmingham. Ha was a member of several secret fra ternal orders.
 On the night of the tragedy, crowd of negroes were returning from Traction park, and owing to the number on the car, several were standing on the plat form with Bert Pesnell, the motorman. When the car had reached the corner of Second avenue and Twentieth street, it Is alleged that the motorman reproved the negroes for their loud profanity and 1t is supposed, threatened to eject the offenders from the car. Just what fol- lowed is not known. but moment later when the platform was jammed by the entrance of other passengers, the negro Dix drew a knife and stabbed the motor- man twice. MT. Pesnell died the follow ing day from the effects of the wounds